CBSE overhauls assessment, exam format for Classes 6-9

Following its decision to restore Class 10 Board examinations from the academic session 2017-18, the CBSE will also replace the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) scheme with a uniform system of assessment and examination for Classes 6 to 9.

“To increase the confidence of students to start preparing for Class 10 Board examination, the CBSE has decided to implement a uniform system of assessment, examination pattern and issuing of report cards for Classes 6 to 9 on the same lines,” said a letter sent by the CBSE to all its affiliated schools.

The move that aims at standardising teaching and evaluation across schools will be implemented from the academic session 2017-18 onwards.

“Following the decision to restore board exams for Class 10, it was imperative to have a new scheme of evaluation for Classes 6 to 9 because disparities in the system were creating problems for students whenever they migrated to another school. This would not only ensure ease of migration of students from one CBSE school to another, but also ease students’ difficulties in taking admission in a new school,” an official said. Under the CCE scheme, which was introduced in 2009, the students were assessed based on two term-end “summative assessments” and four “formative assessments” (two each in each terms).

Sixty per cent of the assessment was pen-paper tests, while 40 per cent formative assessment during the year was continuous evaluation by teachers based on various activities. According to the new guidelines, there will still be two terms, but the penpaper test weight will be 90 per cent, including 80 marks for half yearly or yearly exam and 10 marks of the 20 marks set aside for periodic assessment in each term.

Even though the grades awarded for Classes 6 to 8 will range from A1 to E (needs improvement), in Class 9, E grade will mean “fail” as the RTE Act has a no-detention policy till Class 8.