Starting this academic year (2008-2008), the CBSE 10th and 12th standard examinations conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will have 20 per cent of the questions dedicated to testing the student’s critical thinking skills rather than rote learning.

What is Critical Thinking ?

Wekipedia defines Critical Thinking as...."critical thinking is a form of judgment, specifically purposeful and reflective judgment. Using critical thinking one makes a decision or solves the problem of judging what to believe or what to do, but does so in a reflective way. Critical thinking gives due consideration to the evidence, the context of judgment, the relevant criteria for making that judgment well, the applicable methods or techniques for forming that judgment, and the applicable theoretical and constructs for understanding the nature of the problem and the question at hand. These elements also happen to be the key defining characteristics of professional fields and academic disciplines. This is why critical thinking can occur within a given subject field (by reference to its specific set of permissible questions, evidence sources, criteria, etc.) and across subject fields in all those spaces where human beings need to interact and make decisions, solve problems, and figure out what to believe and what to do.".... Rote Learning is sometimes disparaged with the derogative terms parrot fashion, regurgitation, cramming, or mugging or "Ratta lagana" in Hindi, because one who engages in rote learning may give the wrong impression of having understood what they have written or said. It is strongly discouraged by many new curriculum standards and that is one reason CBSE is changing the style of Exams.

Addressing journalists in Bangalore on Sunday, CBSE chairperson Ashok Ganguly said there was a paradigm shift in the CBSE from More of The Same (MOTS) system based on repetition and stereotypes to Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) with emphasis on interpretation and synthesis of knowledge.

Extra time will be given in the exams for students to read the question paper and later revise the answers, he added.

CBSE 2008 Board Exam Results may be delayed:

The CBSE may not be able to declare results early to coincide with pre-university results of States, said Mr. Ganguly, since evaluation had to be nation-wide. Results for the 12th standard will be declared around the third week of May and for the 10th standard around the fourth week of May, he added.

Source : The Hindu