Should I take the Board Conducted Exam or Not

Should I take the Board Conducted Exam or Not September 28, 200 Contents About the New Scheme 2 Report Card 3 Admissions 3 4 Other Tests 5 5 Relevant Circulars from Board 5 Note: The following are observations in my individual capacity, and looks at the issue from the output (end result) point of view. Comments welcome. Please send email. About the New Scheme Which is better? Opting for board exams or school exams? It is the choice of the child, the parent, and the family. Can you explain briey what exactly is the new scheme? 60% of the scholastic performance is evaluated by school. For the nal session ending exam SA2 (which covers only a part of the Xth syllabus), there is a choice for a student to write either the school evaluated SA2 exam or the Board evaluated SA2 exam. (This is simply one part of the entire CCE scheme).

STUDENT S PHOTO WITH SIGNATURE (Attested by the School Principal with School Seal) 2 Report Card In the old pattern, there was a Std. X marksheet issued by Board. What is the new pattern? The pattern for report card is available at the CBSE web site and reproduced here. CONTINUOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION CERTIFICATE OF SCHOOL - BASED ASSESSMENT (Issued as per directives of Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi) AFFILIATION NO. : NAME OF SCHOOL : COMPLETE ADDRESS : E-mail Id : Telephone No. : STUDENT PROFILE CLASSES IX - X SESSION : 2009-20. NAME OF STUDENT : 2. DATE OF BIRTH : 3. MOTHER S NAME : 4. FATHER S NAME : 5. ADMISSION NO : SELF AWARENESS MY GOALS MY STRENGTHS : : INTERESTS & HOBBIES : SPORTS / GAMES : RESPONSIBILITIES DISCHARGED / EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS : Signature of Student Signature of Principal Signature of Board Official Seal Seal Note that the report card devotes considerable space to non-scholastic achievements I noticed that the report card does not anywhere specify that the student has taken the board conducted exam. At this time, we can only assume that you are right. The Board has claried At the end of Class X, all candidates (irrespective of whether appearing for School Conducted SA2 or Board Conducted SA2) shall be issued same Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation Certicate of School Based Assessment prepared, printed and signed by the Board. Notice the use of the word same. If there is no dierence in the report card, then how will anyone know that the student has written the board conducted exam? Note that, with the introduction of CCE, 60% of the total of 00 is already evaluated by the school. In other words, the Board has already entrusted the majority of the task of evaluation to the school. It would not make too much sense if the Board decides to delink itself from CCE reforms, and claim a special status for one of two question papers it has set. The reform process cannot be hijacked by the body proposing the reforms. Note that the SA2 question paper, whether school evaluated or board evaluated, comes from the Board, and so does the marking guidelines. If no one is going to know the dierence, why should I write the board 2

conducted exam? It's a choice given to you. What roll number will be listed on the report card? The Board will allot the roll number to all students regardless of what option they may choose (school-conducted SA2 or otherwise). After the school based exams, will the school send marks to the board, or will the school send grades to the board? Since the nal grade and report card is being administered by the Board, it makes sense for the school to upload the marks. Consider a student who has got A2 in Maths till March, and in the board written SA2 secures 96%. The nal grade is a weighted combination of 60% of A2 and 40% of 96%. It would make sense for the marks to be available to the board at this time to get the nal grade. Will the FA and FA2 and SA be counted for people who opt for the board? Yes. CCE is for all children whether they opted for board conducted examination or not. So FA3 and FA4 is also counted. One nal question. What was displayed on the report card issued by Board last year (in report card issued in March 200)? Only grades were printed on the report card, marks were not printed. 3 Admissions I am from a Kendriya Vidyalaya school and my school has XIth. If I take the board conducted exam can I be ASSURED of joining a KV school? Since KV is giving the choice to the student, it is incumbent of KV to admit a student regardless of which choice (School SA2 versus Board SA2) the student has exercised. The stated policy of KV schools is to enable automatic admissions to all children previously in the KV system. Will the Board issue marks? One of the central ideas of CCE is to move away from marks to grades. If marks are not issued, how will cut os be administered? KV Schools were instructed last year (admissions for 20 at eleventh level) to admit all KV children as per normal, automatic readmission guidelines. Grades were used as a lter for those opting for, say, the Science stream. What if I wanted to transfer to another private CBSE school? Will it make a dierence if I write the school evaluated SA2? 3

The admission policy of a particular private CBSE school, or for that matter any IGCSE or IB or ISC school is tailored to that school. It's a private school after all. They may seek a variety of information about the applicant regardless of what appears on the report card. Why does the CBSE circular talk about leaving the board? It seems clear that the CBSE is encouraging schools to administer the Xth exam to destress the board exam tension. This, indirectly, answers the question. The KV school system has embraced this concept. It is important to delink the admission guidelines of KV, and other private schools. The KV system of about 000 schools is large, and diverse and its admission guidelines are binding on KV aliated schools. However, CBSE cannot, it'd seem, impose admission guidelines on private schools. Nor cannot it, one can imagine, immediately force private schools to conduct SA2 since the Board has been conducting board exams in the past. While some private schools might force ALL students to write the board conducted exam, others might force ALL students to write school conducted exams. The gesture of the KV Sangathan (to destress Xth board exam tension) should not be confused with a choice available elsewhere. What if I wanted to transfer to another government endorsed school, say aliated to the State Board. Were there children who got admission to Maharashtra Board (for example) last year using the online system? How did they decide the equivalency? The working of the Maharashtra Board and the aliated colleges is known to them. However, marks were not ocially given to the children or their parents/guardians. However, marks appeared automatically when the online forms were lled. Presumably CBSE board shared the marks with an ocial agency such as Maharashtra board. What were the cutos for admissions to Std. XI in KVIIT last year? 4

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan rr 8 Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg 8 WMTTM d -w' f3 -qm New Delhi - 0 602 Fit f- oso2 TEL. 26858570; FAX 265479 Website: www.kvsangathan.nic.in F.06/0/200-KVSHQ/Acad/ The Assistant Commissioner Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan All Regions.): kv ko.ti+-.a. ^^-^ N -^.^ ` Dated: 6.06.200 SPEED POST Subject: Guidelines for Admission in-class XI based o,tn Grade Points. Madam/Sir, With reference to.the-sub ject' cited above, the broad guidelines for admission in Class XI, duly approved by Chairman, KVS, IS given hereunder for immediate implementation in all Kendriya Vidyalayas. (I) CLASS XI ADMISSIONS t - Fresh admissions would be made after accommodating all the eligible students of the same KV in the entitled stream and thereafter students from other KVs. Fresh admission for remaining vacancies would be made in order of merit In the sequence of categories of priority on the basis of the board results of class X. There would be no fresh admission in class XI over and above the class strength. Admissldns in different streams for children seeking admission from KVs & non-kvs would be nude on fulfillment of the following requirements: The cut off Grade and CGPA for admissions in Science, Commerce & Humanities Streams would be as under: a. Science Stream () Science with Mathematics A minimum of 82 GRADE in Maths A minimum of 82 GRADE in Science and A minimum of 6.0 ;CGPA (ii) Science without Maths Science without mathematics may be allowed if the student has secured 82 GRADE in Science with at least 6.0 CGPA, The original guidelines were on 6.06.200: b. Commerce Stream. A minimum of 6.0 CGPA. 2. Mathematics can- be offered with Commerce-if the student has obtained a minimum of 82 GRADE in Mathematics, C..:, Humanities Stream All students of Kendriya Vidyalayas if they are declared successful by the CBSE would be given admission. However, Humanities with Mathematics can be offered if at least B2 GRADE is obtained in Mathematics. \ id.v atlav a `ialigil la,.sn IS Institutionat'Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh V'larg New% Delhi - 006 Tel: 26532643, Fax No. 265479 Websile: wwvw.kvsan(lyathan. nic.in No.F.)o'A I 00-4 J- hcv7(kv Dated : q.7- /,P The Assistant Commissioner Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan All Regions. Sub Revised Guidelines for Admission in Class XI based on Grade Points. Madam/Sir, In continuation of letter No.F.06/0/200-KV5HQ/Acad/ dt.6,06.200, I am to inform you that the guidelines for admission in class XI based on grade points have been revised and duly approved by the competent auti crity. The same is being forwarded to you for compliance. Yours faithfully, The revised guidelines appear here: ( Dr. SHACHI KANT) Joint Commissioner (Acad) I/C 4 Other Tests Will schools use the Students Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) to admit students to XI? Since the exam is optional, it would not be imposed on govt schools such as KV. Private schools may do their own thing. Note that the idea of asking children to write three exams (the SA2 exam, the optional aptitude exam, and the proposed optional National Prociency exam) is likely to impose burden on children. The aptitude tests are optional, and the CBSE board will conduct its rst ever aptitude test on January 5, 20. What is the National Prociency Test? When will it conducted? The details are awaited, and it is a pen and paper test. Some details are available in the list of circulars. 5

(An Autonomous Organization under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development Govt. of India) 5 Relevant Circulars from Board Central Board of Secondary Education Shiksha Kendra, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar,Delhi-92 CBSE/PRO/SGAI/200 2.09.200 To, Circular No : 62/0 All Heads of Institutions of CBSE Affiliated Schools Sub: - Aptitude and Interest Assessment with the First Ever CBSE Students Global Aptitude Index : Enrolment For The Programme Dear Sir/Madam, Greetings! As you are well aware CBSE has recently extended the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation scheme in classes IX & X, introduced grading system in class X and has phased out class X exams for students of senior secondary schools. The common factor running across these initiatives is to make the entire spectrum of school education learner friendly. The new approach also highlights the fact that each individual is unique with different sets of abilities. Identifying and optimizing abilities while preparing an individual for life and the world of work is one of the important and meaningful tasks of education. Senior secondary stage becomes the most defining phase as it influences higher studies and career choices later in life. More often than not, the choice of subjects is determined by the marks as also by the parental and peer pressure or the role models. In an ideal situation a child should be allowed to choose subjects based on his abilities and interest. Therefore, in order to facilitate a child, CBSE has designed a tool named as the Students Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) to measure the aptitude in combination with the interest. The Aptitude reflects the inherent capacity, talent or ability of a child. Aptitude testing is a student-friendly, universally accepted mode of rating capabilities for a particular activity. Aptitude tests are known to be reliable predictors of future scholastic achievement as they provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses of a student. HIGHLIGHTS OF CBSE STUDENTS GLOBAL APTITUDE INDEX (SGAI) Although a variety of aptitude screening tests are already in vogue to help the student identify personal interests and vocations, yet:- Aptitude Test:. SGAI is a battery of Aptitude Tests which also combines Interest profile of a student. 2. It has been customized to suit the Indian context and variety of student population in CBSE affiliated Private, Government and Aided Schools. 3. Unlike the conventional Aptitude Tests, which indicate professional orientations the CBSE SGAI will indicate subject orientations at +2 level. 4. The CBSE SGAI is meant for students of secondary classes. This coincides with the onset of adolescence and beginning of career concepts (although not in the concrete form). It is therefore crucial to give a road map to the child which is realistic and favorable. CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION SHIKSHA SADAN, 7-ROUSE AVENUE, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, NEW DELHI-0002 CBSE/CM/200 Dated: 0.09.200 All Heads of Institutions Affiliated to the Board Circular No.56/0 Subject: Conduct of Optional Proficiency Test for Class-X Dear Principal, As a part of ongoing examination reforms, the Board has initiated series of measures related to strengthening of school education and aligning the assessment practices with international standards. One such measure relates to conduct of Proficiency Test at the end of Class-X in all the five main subjects from next year. The related information has already been included in Board s earlier circulars No.39, 40 dated September, 2009 on Scheme of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation and Grading system. Broad objectives of the test The proposed Proficiency Test is being conducted with the broad objectives of : acting as a benchmark in testing of skills and higher mental abilities of students providing motivation to students for academic excellence in the respective subject providing feedback to students and parents on how well the students have achieved the desired learning objectives. providing feedback to schools on levels of learning of their students and setting goals, priorities and targets in their future educational plan. Specific objectives Some of the specific objectives of the proposed test include assessing students; abilities and skills to apply concepts and principles of the subject to everyday life situations. abilities to apply understanding of concepts to interpret data, diagrams, maps, graph etc. skills to create and devise methods for solving subject related problems. abilities to analyse, synthesise and evaluate a given situation on the basis of learning in the subject. National Prociency Test: Gram : CENBOSEC, Delhi 92 website: www.cbse.nic.in CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION SHIKSHA KENDRA, 2, COMMUNITY CENTRE, PREET VIHAR, DELHI 0092 CBSE/CE/CCE/200 Dated: 02.08.200 All Heads of Institutions Affiliated to the Board Circular No. : 44/200 Subject: Clarifications about ongoing Examination Reforms for the Session 200-20 Dear Principal, You are aware that the scheme of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) and Grading System was introduced by Central Board of Secondary Education at Secondary Stage in all schools affiliated to it from the academic session 2009-200. The reforms are continuing and being strengthened further during the ongoing session. The detailed information about the same is being given to schools from time to time through different circulars which are also available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in. Some of the salient features of these reforms are being reiterated below for clarification, reinforcement and implementation. (a) The recently announced scheme of Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) for classes IX and X is to be followed in all schools affiliated to the Board. (b) Under the CCE, an academic year has been divided into two terms-term I extending from April to September and Term II from October to March except for winter closing schools. The latter will have Term I from Jan to June and Term II from July to December. (c) The syllabus in each subject for Classes IX and X has been distributed term wise. This term wise syllabus is available on the CBSE website at the CCE Corner under the section Secondary School Curriculum 202. (d) The assessment scheme to be followed in Secondary as well as Senior secondary schools in classes IX and X is exactly the same except that Class-X students studying in secondary schools will take Board conducted Summative Assessment-II (SA-II) in place of School conducted Summative Assessment-II (SA-II) in Senior Secondary Schools. (e) All the students irrespective of their studying in secondary or senior secondary school or continuing or leaving the CBSE Board after class-x, will be required to undergo various assessments in co-scholastic areas in classes IX and X at school level as indicated earlier. Key Circular on Exams: 6

Phones: 0-2255828 0-232200 Fax: 0-22057089 2255826 (An Autonomous Organization under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development Govt. of India) Gram : CENBOSEC, Delhi 92 E-Mail: mcsharma2007@rediffmail.com science.cbse@gmail.com website: www.cbse.gov.in www.cbse.nic.in CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION SHIKSHA KENDRA, 2, COMMUNITY CENTRE, PREET VIHAR, DELHI 030 No.CE/CBSE/ACAD/CCE/200 August 2, 200 Circular No.43/200 All the Heads of Independent Schools affiliated to CBSE Subject: Conduct of Classes IX and X Examination under Summative Assessment I to be held in September, 200 Dear Principal, This is in continuation to our circular no.06/0 dated Feb. 03, 200 regarding Conduct of Class IX March, 200 Examination under Summative Assessment II. As you are aware, the Central Board of Secondary Education has introduced Examination Reforms and Continuous & Comprehensive Evaluation in its affiliated schools since last year (academic year 2009 0) and the detailed scheme has already been intimated to all Heads of schools vide CBSE s previous circulars. 2. The scheme is in operation in all CBSE affiliated schools in Class IX since last year. As per the scheme, four Formative Assessments and two Summative Assessments would be held in an academic year. The first Summative Assessment, SA I for this term for classes IX and X is to be conducted in the second half of September, 200. 3. Under Summative Assessment I, the students will be tested internally based on the following criteria:- a) Syllabus and Examination Question Paper Design in different subjects for Classes IX and X Summative Assessment will be the same as circulated by the Board earlier. The same is also available on CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in under CCE corner. b) As was done last year, the Summative Assessment I will be in the form of a pen-paper test conducted by the schools themselves. c) In order to ensure standardization and uniformity, the Question Paper Bank in different subjects would be sent by the Board so as to reach the schools by September 0, 200. First Summative: Interact with Chairman Frequently Asked Questions S.NO. QUERY REPLY KEY WORD 0 Does CCE mean The term continuous in CCE refers to frequent tests and periodicity and regularity in assignments? assessment. It does not mean that tests and assignments have to be CCE Scheme conducted or given frequently. On the contrary, the scheme of CCE discourages mechanical testing. It envisages employment of variety of tools and techniques for assessment in informal and formal settings which are more interesting, relevant and meaningful and involve learners for greater participation and learning. 02. How would CCE help in reducing stress of students? CCE helps in reducing stress of students by Identifying learning progress of students at regular time intervals on small portions of content. Employing a variety of remedial measures of teaching based on learning needs and potential of different students. Desisting from using negative comments on the learner s performance. Encouraging learning through employment of a variety of teaching aids and techniques. Involving learners actively in the learning process. Recognizing and encouraging specific abilities of students, who do not excel in academics but perform well in other cocurricular areas. Stress Reduction 03. Is it all right for my child to spend more time on dance, music and doing project work than actually reading his textbooks? Holistic education demands development of all aspects of individual s personality including cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. It is unfortunate that not much attention and emphasis is given to the development of interests, hobbies and passions of learners. Faqs on CCE: Keywords: CBSE, CCE, Aptitude test, Prociency Test, SA2, Summative, Formative, Board-conducted, School-conducted board exams, grading system, optional board exams Co-curricular activities 7