In every academic session, CBSE makes positive changes in the learning and examination pattern to improve the quality of our education system. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) presented changes in the examination pattern for the academic session 2023-24, that have been made to foster competency-based learning, a shift from traditional rote memorization towards a more creative and critical thinking approach. 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, has launched the Competency-Based Education Project. Over the next few years, CBSE aims to transform education by replacing mere memorization with a more engaging approach. In the academic session 2023-24, CBSE has increased the weightage of competency-based questions to promote practical learning. 

Curious to know more? Keep reading to understand what changes CBSE is making in the exam pattern for the academic session 2023-24.

Why is CBSE Making Changes in the Exam Pattern?

The CBSE board understands the importance of testing your ability to use what you’ve learned in real-life situations. To do this, the question papers for the board examinations will now have more questions that focus on your skills and understanding.

Gone are the days of simple recall; you will now face diverse question formats such as multiple-choice questions (MCQs), case-based questions, source-based integrated questions, and more. These questions challenge you to think critically, analyze, and solve problems creatively.

By including competency-based questions, the CBSE board wants to help you develop important thinking skills. This approach encourages you to understand concepts deeply, rather than just memorize them. It also improves your critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, which are valuable qualities that will make you stand out in a competitive world.

Exam Pattern Changed for CBSE Exam 2023-24

The CBSE exams for the session 2023-24, lay more emphasis on the practical understanding of the concepts by increasing the weightage for competency-based questions. In this session, the weightage for long & short questions is reduced.

In the revised question pattern for classes 9th & 10th, half of the questions i.e. 50% will focus on competency-based questions. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) will make up 20% of the paper, while the remaining 30% will consist of short and long-answer type questions. 

Similarly, for classes 11th & 12th, competency-based questions will make up 40% of the paper, MCQs will be 20%, and the remaining 40% will be short and long-answer type questions.

Click Here to Download the Official Circular

Let’s compare the composition of the question paper from the previous year.

Note– Competency Based Questions will include MCQs, case-based questions, source-based integrated questions, assertion-reason questions, picture-based questions, etc. 

What are Competency-Based Questions?

• Competency-based questions focus on what you have actually learned and how well you understand a subject.
• These questions are based on real-life situations, making them more practical and relevant.
• They test students’ ability to apply what they have learned in school, to solve problems or make decisions. They emphasize applying what students learn to real-life situations.
• Instead of just asking for facts or definitions, competency-based questions want to see how students can use their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

How to Prepare Competency-Based Questions?

Now, let’s understand some practical tips to successfully attempt all the competency-based questions.

• Avoid Rote Learning:

To do well in competency-based questions during your CBSE board exams, it’s important to focus on understanding concepts instead of just memorizing them. These questions test how you apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations. So, it’s essential to clearly understand the subject and how it can be used in practical scenarios. Avoid rote learning and strive for concept clarity to tackle these questions effectively.

• Focus on Concept Clarity: 

Strive for a deep understanding of each topic, focusing on the underlying principles and their real-world applications. Understanding the concept helps you in building a strong foundation of subjects. Don’t just memorize facts; try to understand the why and how behind them. Ask questions and understand the practical application of concepts. 

• Read Carefully: 

Take the time to thoroughly understand the question. Read it more than once if needed, so you fully understand what it’s asking.

• Consistent Practice: 

To improve your performance in competency-based questions, it’s important to practice. Solve similar questions that you may find in exams. Use question banks, previous year papers, and sample papers to find these practice questions. This will help you become familiar with the question formats and enhance your skills. Remember, the more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in answering competency-based questions.

Quick Tip 😎 – Ace your CBSE board exam 2023 by practicing different question patterns on MCQ Khajana. It’s the secret key to score full marks! 👀

The increased weightage of competency-based questions in CBSE board exams 2023-24 shows a forward-looking approach to education. It reminds us that education is not just about memorization but about developing important skills for life.

To help you understand and practice these competency-based questions, MCQ Khajana is providing all the diverse and most asked patterns of questions. These questions will seek you to score high marks in the CBSE exam 2023-24.

Start practicing these questions now with MCQ Khajana. 

All the Best. Shine Bright!!!