Problem
Solving Assessment
Some
important facts regarding PSA
This
batch of class X will not be taking Assessing, Speaking and Listening Skills
(ASL) or Problem Solving Assessment (PSA), which is only applicable from Class
IX of this session (2012-2013).
This
batch of class XII will not be taking Assessing Speaking and Listening Skills
(ASL) or Problem Solving Assessment (PSA), which is only applicable from Class
XI of this session (2012-2013).
Why
PSA (Problem Solving Assessment)?
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 analyze written text and effective
communication are the skills which ensure success in Higher Studies and
Professional areas. These dimensions of 21st Century life skills will greatly
assist learners in acquiring higher order thinking skills such as Problem
Solving and Decision Making.
Planning
of CBSE regarding PSA (Problem Solving Assessment)
The
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to initiate “Problem
Solving Assessment” (CBSE- PSA) for students of Classes IX and XI from the
second term of session 2012-13. The board has decided to replace one of the four
formative assessments (FA) with a problem solving assessment (PSA) for Classes
IX and XI. The first test will be conducted on January-February 2013 for Class
IX. The test will involve questions to test a student’s problem-solving ability.
The
PSA is not a new test but it will replace the already existing pen-paper test in
the FA. The only difference will be that PSA will be conducted by the Board in
the respective schools and the evaluation will be done by the Board. The exam
will be conducted on the same day and the question paper will be provided by the
Board.
Examination
pattern of PSA (Problem
Solving Assessment)
This
90-minute test will have nothing from the textbooks. It will comprise of
questions from mathematics and an English passage from old essays or
contemporary fiction. The new criterion will fit into the third and fourth
formative assessments. The fourth assessment includes multiple choice questions,
projects and unit tests. All these will be replaced by a PSA that tests a
student’s knowledge on co-scholastic situations.
CBSE-PSA
for Class IX PSA the Problem Solving Assessment will be conducted for all
students of class IX in Jan – Feb 2013 and the details are available in a
separate circular. The Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA) will be counted
towards FA-4 which is 10% of total assessments of Class IX.
This
assessment will also be carried forward towards the FA-4 in Class X. This score
will be reflected in one Language (English or Hindi), Mathematics, Science and
Social Science w.e.f the session 2012-2013 for Class IX and 2013 – 14 for Class
X. The same score will be reflected in FA-4 for class IX and Class X. The
students will have the option to improve their PSA Score in Class X, as they can
sit for the test with Class IX students of the Session 2013-2014 in January –
February 2014. The best scores will be reflected in the final certificate in
case of those applying for improvement. The schools which have already planned
their time table and other details regarding FA-4 will take the best scores of
FA-3 and FA-4 to count towards the total 10%, now available for FA-3 and FA-4
taken together.
The
features of the ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA) will be as
follows
1.
It will be compulsory for all students of Classes IX and carry 90 marks. There
will be 60 items of MCQ type.
2.
It will assess the following areas:- Quantitative Reasoning (found in
mathematics, science and technology) Qualitative Reasoning (found in humanities,
arts and social sciences) Language Conventions There is no specific syllabus for
Problem Solving Assessment .
3.
The items will incorporate aspects of 21 Century Skills (Creative Thinking,
Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Communication) that
leads to success at Secondary Stage. They should be able to assess student’s
ability to process, interpret and use information rather than assess student’s
prior subject matter knowledge.
4.
The Assessment will contain items that will assess written expression, including
grammar and usage, vocabulary in context and passage-completion.
5.
The test items will be so designed that they will also help in improving scores
within the core school subjects as the Problem Solving Assessment test items are
designed to improve generic and higher order thinking skills.
6.
The items will be able to assess student’s ability. The test items will be so
designed that they will also help in improving scores within the core school
subjects as the Problem Solving Assessment test items are designed to improve
the generic skills.
7.
The ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ will be done during the month of January –
February 2013 for students of Class IX. The ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ will
be counted towards FA-4 which is 10% of total assessments of Class IX.
8.
This assessment will also be carried forward towards the FA-4 in Class X. This
score will be reflected in one Language (English or Hindi), Mathematics, Science
and Social Science w.e.f the session 2012-2013 for Class IX and 2013 – 14 for
Class X. The same score will be reflected in FA-4 for class IX and Class X.
9.
The students will have the option to improve their PSA Score in Class X, as they
can sit for the test with Class IX students of the Session 2013-2014 in January
– February 2014. The best scores will be reflected in the final certificate in
case of those applying for improvement.
10.
The schools which have already planned their time table and other details
regarding FA-4 will take the best scores of FA-3 and FA-4 to count towards the
total 10%, now available for FA-3 and FA-4 taken together.
11.
There will be no separate time tables or periods for teaching or practice of PSA
in schools.
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