Get ready for good old pen and paper tests again. In a move that is meant to ‘increase confidence of students to prepare for Class X Boards’, the CBSE has decided to formally junk the continuous and comprehensive evaluation (CCE) scheme for classes VI to IX, replacing it with a new format.
The new format called the ‘uniform system of assessment, examination and report card’ is aimed at standardising teaching and evaluation across schools, as per the Board.
All schools will be required to follow the “uniform assessment process” from Class VI and will be required to adhere to the new template set by CBSE in terms of report cards and assessments.
“This new scheme will bring the uniformity in the system of assessment and examination for classes IX and X in all the CBSE affiliated schools,” CBSE Chairman R. K. Chaturvedi said.
Further explaining the rationale behind the change, Chaturvedi added, “With the increase in CBSE affiliated schools from 309 in 1962 to 18,688 at present, a uniform system will ensure easy migration of students within the CBSE schools and also ease their difficulties while seeking admissions in new schools.”
CBSE schools have been following various systems of assessment and the move is being viewed as a step towards restoring the Class X Board examination from 2018.
Under the CCE scheme, students were assessed based on two term-end ‘summative assessments’ and four ‘formative assessments’ (two each in each term). While 60% of the assessment was based on pen and paper tests, 40% was marked on the basis of continuous evaluation by teachers through the year.
The new scheme gives 90% weightage to pen and paper tests now, including 80 marks to the half yearly or yearly exam. 10 marks each will be set aside for periodic assessment in each term.
While half-yearly (term 1) exams for all the classes beyond Class VI will be based on syllabus covered till the exam time, the syllabus for yearly exams will be increased to 10%, 20% and 30% of term 1 syllabus respectively for Classes VI, VII and VIII.