The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved a proposal to integrate open-book assessments in Class 9 from the 2026-27 academic session, after a pilot study showed “teacher support” for such assessments.
The CBSE’s Governing Body, the board’s highest decision-making authority, approved the proposal at a meeting held in June.
According to the minutes of the meeting, the proposal involves integrating open-book assessments in Class 9 “as part of three pen-paper assessments per term”, covering core subjects like language, mathematics, science and social science.
This is in line with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which is based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
NCFSE mentions open-book tests as a possible form of assessment. “An open-book test is one where the students have access to resources and references (e.g., textbooks, class notes, library books) while answering questions. These tests assess the ability to process or use available information and apply the same in various contexts. These tests shift the focus from recall to application and synthesis,” the NCFSE states.
The minutes of the meeting noted that the NCFSE underscores the need to transition from rote memorisation to competency-based learning, with open-book assessments serving as a catalyst for this shift.
As first reported by The Indian Express in February 2024, the Board had, in December 2023, approved a pilot study on open-book assessments for Classes 9 to 12. The pilot was meant to examine aspects like completion time, and stakeholders’ perceptions.
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On the pilot study, the minutes of the meeting stated: “Analysis of student performance revealed scores ranging from 12% to 47%, indicating challenges in effectively utilising resources and grasping interdisciplinary concepts.”
“Despite these hurdles, teachers expressed optimism about OBAs (open-book assessments), noting their potential to foster critical thinking. Feedback highlighted the necessity for structured guidance to help students navigate reference materials and apply knowledge contextually,” it said, adding that the pilot study focused on “cross-cutting themes” from the curriculum, and avoided additional reading material.
The pilot study revealed “performance challenges but also teacher support for OBAs,” the governing body noted.
The CBSE’s plan now involves developing standardised sample papers to ensure question quality and promote critical thinking.
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The shift, challenge
Open-book assessments are not necessarily easier than traditional pen-and-paper exams; they are designed to test understanding beyond facts and definitions. For teachers, the challenge lies in framing questions that go beyond direct recall.
With this, a framework will be created for open-book exams to be part of the internal exams that schools have in Class 9, a source said. While this is unlikely to be mandatory for schools, the framework will suggest how they can offer it, if they choose to do so, the source said. Since open-book exams will test higher-order thinking skills, it requires capacity in schools, the source added.
“The initiative aims to reduce exam stress, encourage real-world application of knowledge, and shift from rote learning to conceptual understanding,” the minutes stated. The NCFSE calls for a move away from testing rote memorisation, and focus instead on conceptual understanding, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking.
Open-book exams aren’t new for the Board. In 2014, CBSE brought in an Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) to ease the load of rote learning and push students towards processing information. It was tried in Class 9 for Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, and in the final exam of Class 11 for Economics, Biology and Geography. Students got the reference material four months ahead. The Board dropped it in 2017-18, saying it hadn’t helped build “critical abilities” among students.
