The Central Board of Secondary Education plans to change the question paper pattern of Class X and XII exams from 2020 as part of a revamp that also includes holding vocational subject tests earlier (in February) and early declaration of results.
Officials said the new exam pattern would test students on their analytical abilities and reduce the scope of rote learning.
“The questions will be more in the nature of problem solving. There will be more short questions (between 1 and 5 marks). The stress would be on probing the critical thinking abilities of students and test actual learning outcomes rather than allow students to score high marks by virtue of rote,” said a senior HRD ministry official, who did not wish to be named.
The board has also submitted new “CBSE bylaws” to the ministry for approval, according to which the focus during affiliation/renewal of schools will be on academic quality of institutions. For the inspection of infrastructure in schools, the board will bank on reports of the recognizing authorities, that is, the respective state education departments.
“The proposals will take another three-four months to crystallize. However, the board is already working toward the changes in the pattern of questions from 2020,” said the official.
