NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the implementation of open-book assessments for Class 9 students starting from the 2026-27 academic session. The decision was taken following the results of a pilot study conducted to evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of such a model in schools.According to media reports, the CBSE Governing Body, the board’s highest decision-making authority, approved the proposal at a meeting held in June. The initiative is aligned with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.Framework and structure of the assessmentAs per the approved plan, open-book exams will be integrated into internal assessments conducted by schools for Class 9. These assessments will be part of the three pen-paper evaluations carried out in each academic term. The core subjects included in this format will be language, mathematics, science, and social science.While the framework will be recommended to schools, its implementation will not be mandatory. It will instead serve as a model to guide schools that choose to adopt this mode of assessment. Schools will be provided with guidelines on how to conduct open-book exams effectively.Objective and basis for the moveThe CBSE’s move is based on recommendations outlined in the NCFSE, which emphasises the need to move away from rote memorisation and towards competency-based learning. Open-book assessments are described in the framework as a method to test students’ ability to interpret, apply, and analyse information rather than merely recall facts.The open-book format allows students to refer to resources such as textbooks, class notes, and library materials while attempting questions. This model is intended to assess their capacity to use available information in varying contexts, which corresponds with the core principles of the NEP 2020.Pilot study and past attemptsIn December 2023, the CBSE had approved a pilot study to test open-book assessments across Classes 9 to 12. The pilot was designed to evaluate various factors including the time taken to complete the tests and the perceptions of stakeholders such as students, teachers, and school administrators. According to media reports, the study indicated support from teachers for the introduction of open-book formats.This is not the first instance where CBSE has explored open-book assessments. In 2014, the board introduced an Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for Class 9 in subjects like Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. It was also extended to Class 11 for subjects including Economics, Biology, and Geography. In that format, students received reference material four months before the final examination. However, the OTBA was discontinued in the 2017-18 academic session, as it was found not to have significantly enhanced students’ critical thinking skills.Implementation and future directionThe upcoming framework will aim to build higher-order thinking skills in students and will require schools to be equipped with appropriate capacity and training. The CBSE plans to assist schools by providing structured guidance on how to conduct these assessments as part of their internal evaluation system.The initiative aims to create a more application-based assessment model in alignment with the broader goals of the NEP 2020 and the NCFSE 2023.TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
