The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to initiate a ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA) for students of classes IX and XI from the second term of the 2012-13 session.
Although there is no specific syllabus for CBSE-PSA, it will assess students in the following areas – quantitative reasoning, qualitative reasoning and language conventions.
CBSE-PSA, which will be compulsory for students of classes IX and XI, is likely to be conducted during the month of January-February 2013 and carry 90 marks. There will be 60 questions of MCQ type.
According to Vineet Joshi, chairman, CBSE, It is a widely acknowledged fact that research and analytical skills, ability to apply basic concepts of different subjects, solve application-based problems in mathematics and science, comprehend and analyse written text and effective communication are the skills, which ensure success in higher studies and professional areas.
He says, “These dimensions of 21st Century life-skills will assist learners in acquiring higher order thinking skills such as problem-solving and decision- making. There will be no separate time-tables or periods for teaching or practice of PSA in schools.”