Competency-based questions for CBSE class 9 to 12 academic session
2021-22 onwards

From the academic session 2021-22 onwards, Central Board of Secondary Education will assess students of Classes 9 to 12 on the basis of application of concepts in “real-life or unfamiliar situations”. Competency-based questions in the CBSE board exams will include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), case-based questions and source-based integrated questions, as per a recent circular. This is aimed at replacing the existing rote-learning model with a competency-based framework as is mentioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

For Class 9 and Class 10, CBSE will introduce a minimum of 30% competency-based questions, 20% will be objective type and the remaining 50% will be short and long answer type questions, as per the existing pattern. For Class 11 and Class 12, 20% will be competency-based questions, 20% objective type questions and the remaining 60% will be short and long answer type questions.

The overall marks and duration of the CBSE board final examination will remain unchanged.
CBSE had also announced a competency-based assessment framework for Science, Mathematics and English. The assessment framework seeks to strengthen India’s existing school education system for the students and improve the overall learning outcomes.