PROBLEM SOLVING ASSESSMENT (PSA) CBSE

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.