India's CBSE restores single-format board exams

India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to restore the pre-pandemic single-exam format from the next academic year, which means the Class X and XII board exams are not likely to be split into two parts, according to sources in the Ministry of Education.

For the 2021-22 academic year, the CBSE had introduced a format with two terms – the Term-I exams were held in November-December last year, while the Term-II exams will start on April 26. More weightage will be given to the Term-II exams.

The decision was taken after the board exams for the 2020-21 academic year had to be canceled due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Students were evaluated on their scores in previous exams, practical exams, and internal assessments.

The board decided to restore the single-exam pattern after receiving representations from schools. “CBSE never announced that the two-term exam format will be continued henceforth. It was a one-time formula. Now that schools are functioning at full capacity, the decision, for now, is to stick to the one-time exam format,” said the official.

However, CBSE will stick to the policy it followed over the last two years when the syllabus was reduced by 30 percent. “The NCERT will send us the details of rationalization based on which an announcement will be made. Schools can teach the reduced syllabus using the existing books,” said the official.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 proposes that all students be allowed to take the board exams on up to two occasions in an academic year — “one main examination and one for improvement” to eliminate the high stakes aspect of board exams.

“While the board exams for Grades X and XII will be continued, the existing system of the board and entrance examinations shall be reformed to eliminate the need for undertaking coaching classes. To reverse these harmful effects of the current assessment system, board exams will be redesigned to encourage holistic development,” states the NEP.