ICSE Set to Conduct Board Exams for Class 5, 8 From 2018

Students will not be required to make any “additional preparation” for the exams, said CISCE Chief Executive.

File photo of students in a classroom. (Photo: iStock)

In order to assess the performance of students and the “success or weakness” of the prescribed syllabus, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) had planned on introducing board examinations for Class 5 and Class 8 from the next academic session.

“With the introduction of the CISCE curriculum, it becomes vital to ensure that progression of students against the defined learning outcomes is carefully monitored. The council plans to do this through assessment, which will be conducted at the levels of Class 5 and Class 8 in four subjects.

Gerry Arathoon, CISCE Chief Executive & Secretary

The test subjects are English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. A Times of India report said that the questions will be in Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format.

Arathoon told TOI that students will “not be required to make any additional preparation” for the exams, which will be held on different days and the duration will be an hour each. The marks and modalities are still to be fixed, he said.

The test will be aptitude-based and will try to assess the ability and understanding of a student to apply the lessons learnt, solve the problems and think creatively.

Gerry Arathoon to <i>TOI</i>

The board has also decided to introduce three compulsory subjects for Classes 1 to 8 – yoga, performing arts and physical education – from 2018.

There will also be an optional online test called ‘Digital Subject Selection Tool’ to assist students in picking their choice of vocation on the basis of their interests, skills, etc.

(With inputs from IANS)