Ushering in a new era in examination system, the Central Board of Secondary Education has formally issued notices to schools across the country to implement ‘open book’ section for classes 9 and 11 final exams starting March 2014.

The open book exam does not mean books will be allowed inside the examination hall, rather students will be given case studies in each subject four months prior to the final exams.

They will be asked questions, based on higher order thinking skills (HOTS), from the given material. It will carry 20 per cent weight age.

School principals have welcomed the move.

“It is a desirable change. It focuses on qualitative as well as futuristic learning skills which are the need of the hour. Kids will develop a temperament for in-depth learning and the open book exam will encourage learning by understanding,” said Lata Vaidyanathan, principal of Modern School, Barakhamba Road.

According to L V Sehgal, principal Bal Bharti Public School on Pusa Road, students tend to take to rote learning methods.

“They cramp from textbooks. The open book exam will help develop research abilities and deep thinking capabilities in students.”

The CBSE said the open book exam for class 9 will be applicable to all main subjects. While the open book exam for class 11 will be applicable only to Economics, Biology and Geography.

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Courtesy: Deccan Herald