CBSE’s new exams promote application over memorisation; Implements NEP 2020 vision with concept-focused assessments

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has rolled out competency-based assessments for students of Classes VI to IX. The initiative is introduced in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and seeks to shift the focus of classroom learning from rote memorisation to conceptual understanding, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. It is a major shift from traditional evaluation methods, where the emphasis was on recall-based learning. Under the new system, students will now be tested on how well they can use concepts, understand information, and think logically instead of just writing memorised textbook answers.

According to CBSE, the competency-based assessment is not a competitive examination, but a diagnostic tool that will help schools in measuring the learning levels and identifying academic gaps. Each school will review the results internally to understand students’ strengths and areas requiring additional support. The Board has directed affiliated schools to conduct the assessments in both Hindi and English mediums, ensuring wider accessibility. To facilitate smooth administration, CBSE has provided schools with an official link to download and print OMR sheets required for the test.

A senior CBSE official explained that this initiative is designed to make education more meaningful and student-centric. “The goal is to make sure students truly understand and can apply what they learn, not just memorise it. They should be able to use their knowledge to handle real-life situations,” the official said.

Principals and teachers across the country have welcomed the move. They call it a much-needed reform in India’s assessment pattern. Rajesh Pillai, Principal of Kairali School, said that nearly 50 percent of the questions for Class V are already competency-based, and the same approach is now being implemented in higher classes. He said, the goal is to help students think deeply and use their knowledge in practical ways. CBSE aims to encourage curiosity, creativity, and a clear understanding of concepts.

Echoing similar sentiments, Subhash Kumar, Principal of St. Michael’s School, noted that the shift has also changed the way teachers design question papers and lessons. “Teachers are now encouraged to prepare more creative and application-oriented questions. Earlier, school-level assessments were mostly concept-based, but now the emphasis is on evaluating how well students can apply logic and reasoning to solve problems,” he said.

He further added that the new format compels both students and teachers to engage more deeply with subjects. “This isn’t just a change in exam pattern, it’s a change in mindset. It’s helping develop analytical and decision-making skills that will be useful throughout life.”
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The initiative has also been welcomed positively by parents. Students, too, have expressed curiosity and enthusiasm about the new method. Many feel that questions based on real-life examples and logical reasoning make learning more engaging and less intimidating.
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Aligned with NEP 2020 goals
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The reform supports and aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which wants schools to focus more on skills, creativity, and overall learning instead of just heavy content. It aims to change exams so that they test students’ abilities and practical skills rather than simple memory-based answers.
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Education experts say that such reforms are essential for building a future-ready generation. By promoting analytical reasoning and problem-solving, CBSE’s initiative prepares students for higher education, competitive examinations, and the challenges of the modern workforce.
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The competency-based assessment model represents a paradigm shift in Indian schooling. With structured teacher training, digital resources, and redesigned evaluation formats, CBSE hopes to gradually extend this system to all grades in the coming years.
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If this is implemented effectively, this reform could transform Indian classrooms into spaces of inquiry and innovation. By giving importance to understanding more than memorising, CBSE is building an education system that encourages students to think deeply. Success will now depend not on how much they remember, but on how well they can think, reason, and use what they learn.
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