The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made significant changes to the assessment scheme for the CBSE board exams 2024, specifically for classes 10th and 12th. These alterations aim to increase the weightage of competency-based questions and multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in the question paper format. As a result, there will be fewer short and long answer questions compared to previous years’ exams.
The objective of these changes is to shift the focus from rote learning to a more holistic approach that emphasizes the development of students’ creative and critical thinking abilities.
The CBSE is proactively implementing these changes in the Examination and Assessment practices for the academic session 2023-24, aligning them with the recommendations outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
What are the Changes made in CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam Pattern 2024?
What are the key changes in the CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam Pattern 2024? The board is introducing Competency Focused Education, which involves an increased emphasis on competency-based questions to assess students’ application of concepts in real-life situations. The question papers for year-end board examinations will include a higher number of application-based questions in the form of MCQs, Case-Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions, or other relevant formats.
The changes for classes 10 and 12 in the 2023-24 Board Examinations are as follows:
| Composition of question paper for Board Examination 2024 (Theory) | |
| CBSE Class 10 | CBSE Class 12 |
| Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 50% Select response type questions(MCQ) = 20% Constructed response questions (Short Answer/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 30% | Competency Focused Questions in the form of MCQs/Case Based Questions, Source-based Integrated Questions or any other type = 40% Select response type questions(MCQ) = 20% Constructed response questions (Short Answer Questions/Long Answer type Questions, as per existing pattern) = 40% |
| Composition of question paper for Board Examination 2023 (Theory) | |
| CBSE Class 10 | CBSE Class 12 |
| Competency Based Questions are 40% in the form of Multiple-Choice Questions, Case Based Questions, Source Based Integrated Questions or any other type. Objective Questions are 20% Remaining 40% Questions are Short Answer/ Long Answer Questions | Competency Based Questions are 30% in the form of Multiple-Choice Questions, Case Based Questions, Source Based Integrated Questions or any other type. Objective Question are 20% Remaining 50% Questions are Short Answer/Long Answer Questions |
What are Competency Based Questions?
Competency-based questions are generally asked in the form of case studies, reasoning and assertion, response-based, objective type or any other format of questions. These questions test the application of learning in real-life situations, thereby assessing the candidates’ higher-order thinking skills. Thus, it aims at enhancing qualitative and logical learning among students as opposed to memorisation of core concepts.
Advantages of Competency Focused Education
- The competency based questions intend to promote students’ high-order thinking skills.
- Competency Focused Education helps to enhance the social and emotional skills among students.
- It prepares students for global competence.
- It enhances students’ critical and analytical thinking, and problem solving abilities that are vital in the real competitive world.
How to prepare Competency Based Questions for CBSE Board Exams?
Through competency based questions, students will be tested for their critical thinking and problem solving skills. At the same time, a candidate’s creativity will also be evaluated through his/her way of answering the questions. Thus, the times are gone when students had to follow definitions and learn theories. Now, they are expected to be more observant towards the real life situations and miscellaneous incidents taking place in the society.
Some of the major points to consider while preparing the competency based questions include:
- Try to study each topic with complete understanding and clarification.
- Be attentive towards unfamiliar situations and their consequences.
- Broaden your think abilities beyond the academic curriculum.
- Read the given question carefully before arriving at an answer.
- Read the given statements or paragraph at least twice to clearly understand the situation.
- Practice several questions of similar format.
- Solve question banks, previous year papers and sample papers.
The changed pattern of CBSE Board Exams, should be taken as an opportunity to enhance your competency skills that will take you a long way in this world full of competition and rivalry.