CBSE to implement Pre-Announced Test (PAT) in Std X, XII

The CBSE has decided to introduce the ‘open book exam’ concept for its board exams (Std X, XII) from academic session 2013-14. It won’t literally be an open book exam. It will be called the ‘Pre-Announced Test’ (PAT) and will be applicable for all Std X subjects and some major ones of Std XII. PAT functions like the Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) system that some education boards, including Maharashtra, are implementing. The Chairman, CBSE informed the new system will test "higher order thinking skills of students rather than their current reliance on a rote-based methodology’.

The announcement has evoked mixed responses from various sections of the society:

Will school have enough libraries to do reference work?

Students will no longer have to depend on rote learning.

This will increase the burden on students as textbooks will not be the only source of information.

Internal grades by teachers and issue of being partial.

Whats your view?

Posted on behalf of Sarita Thakore, Centre for Environment Education