CBSE Class IX and Class XI students breathe free, No PSA exam now

CBSE has decided to do away with the Problem Solving Assessment (PSA) exam which had been mandatory for Class IX and Class XI students for last three years. The Class 9 and Class 11 students will not appear for an additional Formative Assessment (FA) exam instead.

CBSE students are breathing a sigh of relief now. The PSA exam paper was set along the lines of competitive examinations. It had four sections – Reasoning, General Knowledge, Mathematics and Science. These marks were added to the marks of Science, English, Mathematics and Social Studies.

While 10% of students used to do well in the exams, PSA exam was deemed ‘tough’ by the rest of the students – especially the ones who were not attending coaching for any competitive exams.

Students, teachers and principals all agree that cancellation of the PSA exam is a good move and will help students to gain more marks in exams now.

PriyadarshinDhar, a student of Class IX said, “I am glad to have an extra FA instead of the troublesome PSA paper. It was tough and I didn’t know what I would have done in the exam.”

Vallari Shah, a Mathematics teacher, commented, “We give out a number of sample question papers to students throughout the year. We have often noted that while students preparing for competitive exams gladly take the paper as just one more practice paper, rest of the students found it too difficult.”

MadhurManchanda, who has been teaching Science to high school students for more than 2 decades said, “Students take only exams till Class VIII. Conducting the PSA exam suddenly in Class IX is a difficult shift for them and quite stressful for many of them. In fact, it is unfair to many of the students who have never been prepared or trained for them in earlier classes. Such a shift has to be gradual and consistent.”

Good thing is that the CBSE has taken note of it and cancelled the PSA exams.

CBSE has decided to do away with the Problem Solving Assessment (PSA) exam which had been mandatory for Class IX and Class XI students for last three years. The Class 9 and Class 11 students will not appear for an additional Formative Assessment (FA) exam instead.

CBSE students are breathing a sigh of relief now. The PSA exam paper was set along the lines of competitive examinations. It had four sections – Reasoning, General Knowledge, Mathematics and Science. These marks were added to the marks of Science, English, Mathematics and Social Studies.

While 10% of students used to do well in the exams, PSA exam was deemed ‘tough’ by the rest of the students – especially the ones who were not attending coaching for any competitive exams.

Students, teachers and principals all agree that cancellation of the PSA exam is a good move and will help students to gain more marks in exams now.

PriyadarshinDhar, a student of Class IX said, “I am glad to have an extra FA instead of the troublesome PSA paper. It was tough and I didn’t know what I would have done in the exam.”

Vallari Shah, a Mathematics teacher, commented, “We give out a number of sample question papers to students throughout the year. We have often noted that while students preparing for competitive exams gladly take the paper as just one more practice paper, rest of the students found it too difficult.”

MadhurManchanda, who has been teaching Science to high school students for more than 2 decades said, “Students take only exams till Class VIII. Conducting the PSA exam suddenly in Class IX is a difficult shift for them and quite stressful for many of them. In fact, it is unfair to many of the students who have never been prepared or trained for them in earlier classes. Such a shift has to be gradual and consistent.”

Good thing is that the CBSE has taken note of it and cancelled the PSA exams.