CBSE Board Exams twice a year- Principals say, a Remarkable Step to help students

Principals of CBSE-affiliated schools are upbeat about the proposed changes in the Board exam pattern, allowing students to appear for the Board exams at least twice in any particular academic year. However, there are challenges in its implementation…

In line with the National Education Policy 2020, the National Curriculum Framework 2023 (NCF 2023) has proposed some major changes in the CBSE and other state board exams. The most important change suggested by the NCF is related to the change in the examination system. The NCF suggests board examinations to conducted twice a year from 2024.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while announcing the NCF 2023 stated that the board examinations will be conducted twice a year, which will provide students with the opportunity to secure their best scores. The move is aimed at enhancing the high-pressure environment often associated with single annual exams

Annual board exam places pressure on students

Priya John, Principal, DPS Indirapuram talking about the benefits of holding Board exams twice a year said: “The suggestion of conducting board exams twice a year is a remarkable shift in the evaluation methods of our education system. It reflects a progressive approach that prioritises the needs and aspirations of our students. The traditional annual board exam system often placed pressure on students and limited their ability to perform their best.”

She further added that with the option to choose when they are ready to appear for exams, students will be able to align their preparation with their understanding of the subjects, rather than cramming to pass. This move, set to commence in the 2024-25 academic year, will encourage a more proactive learning journey, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.

The NCF also suggests eliminating the traditional streams, such as science, commerce, and humanities streams. With these changes, NCF is specifying how the board examinations will change over the next ten years, with an emphasis on making them more competency-based and less rote learning-focused. This move is likely to also make the board exams easier starting from 2024.

All students will be allowed to appear for the Board exams at least twice in any particular academic year, according to the NCF, with only the highest score will be taken under consideration.

All school boards are expected to hold board exams twice a year, according to the National Curriculum Framework 2023. As a result, students would be able to appear for board exams twice a year, like the CBSE board examination 2024. Even though board exams are expected to be conducted twice a year, the student's highest score will be considered to be the final board examination score in 2024.

Principal of another school, Anshu Mittal, MRG School opined: “The suggestion to conduct board exams twice a year is a groundbreaking decision that heralds a new era in education. It aligns perfectly with our vision of fostering holistic development among our students. This move gives students a second chance to showcase their abilities, making the examination process more student-friendly and less stressful. It would encourage them to focus on understanding concepts rather than simply memorising facts.

Challenges of two board exams

Highlighting challenges in holding board exams twice a year, Anshu Mittal said that introducing biannual board exams will undoubtedly present some challenges for schools, including adjusting to new examination schedules and ensuring students are adequately prepared. However, these challenges are beatable and have remarkable benefits. It will enhance competition, promote a culture of continuous learning, and empower students to pursue excellence.

Echoing the sentiments, Priya John said that challenges may arise in adapting to this new system, such as aligning teaching schedules and curriculum, but “we are confident that these challenges can be overcome with the collective efforts of schools and educational authorities. We believe that the advantages of this change far outweigh any initial difficulties, as it promotes a deeper and more holistic approach to education. We are excited about guiding our students through this transformative phase, helping them become exam-takers and lifelong learners with a genuine passion for knowledge.”

NCF- Board examination will be easier

According to the NCF 2023, all board exams, such as the CBSE board exam 2024 and state board exams will be easier for students. The education policy states that this should be achieved by evaluating basic concepts and abilities across disciplines without any compromise on assessing genuine learning.

This will be carried out in accordance with the new curriculum structure, to get away from repetitive learning. Additionally, NCF suggests that all school boards move from an annual to a semester-based approach. This would enable more flexibility in both the design of the courses and the range of options available to students, it stated.

Modular exam instead of annual exam

The National Curriculum Framework 2023 also suggested that in ten years, board exams, whether they are conducted twice a year or annually need to be replaced by "modular exams." Students can appear for examinations on a subject immediately after they have learned it in class with the help of modular exams. Annual or biennial board examinations will be replaced with "modular exams" over the following ten years.

Principal of another CBSE-affiliated school, Pacific World School, Pooja Bose says: “We wholeheartedly welcome the Education Ministry's visionary decision to introduce biannual board exams. This forward-thinking move aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing holistic education. It would empower students to take control of their learning journey by allowing them to appear for exams when they feel most prepared. The option to retain the higher of the two scores will incentivise thorough preparation and strategic thinking. It fosters a culture of understanding over rote memorisation. While implementing this system in the 2024-25 academic year may present some logistical challenges, we believe that schools across the country can adapt successfully with careful planning and cooperation.”

She feels that the new exam pattern will offer students the opportunity and time to grasp the concepts well. “We are excited about the prospect of nurturing lifelong learners who thrive in exams and real-world applications. This transformative step will give our students the time and opportunity they need to grasp concepts, enhancing their overall performance and self-assurance. It's a significant leap towards creating well-rounded individuals who excel academically and practically,” Bose said.

Additionally, NCF recommended that all school boards eventually offer "on demand" exams, allowing students to appear for examinations on a particular subject whenever they are prepared. Aggregate scores will be used to determine final grades. Boards have the option of offering modular exams rather than a single exam at the end of the year.

“We are eagerly looking forward to the transition in the 2024-25 academic year and are confident that this visionary step will not only reduce stress but also boost the self-confidence of our students. It will produce individuals approaching challenges with knowledge, innovation, and resilience, ultimately shaping them into well-rounded global citizens,” added Anshu Mittal.