Mudda Aapka: Open Book Exam | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

What is an Open Book Exam (OBE)?

Definition:

• An open book exam (OBE) allows students to utilize their textbooks and notes while addressing questions. There are two variations of OBE exams:
• Restricted Type: Only authorized study materials are permitted in a restricted OBE.
• Free Type: Students have the freedom to use any pertinent materials.

Objective:

• To revolutionize the entire assessment methodology.
• Empower students to integrate, organize, and evaluate problems.
• To cultivate problem-solving abilities and foster critical thinking.
• Examples of Previous OBE Implementations:
• In 2014, the CBSE introduced Open Text Based Assessment (OBTA) to alleviate the burden of rote memorization and stimulate information processing skills.
• OBTA was introduced in Class 9 for subjects like Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science, and in the final exams of Class 11 for subjects such as Economics, Biology, and Geography.
• However, it was discontinued in the 2017-18 academic year due to its failure to foster critical thinking skills among students.
• In 2019, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) sanctioned open book exams in engineering colleges following a recommendation from an advisory body.
• Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, various Central universities, including Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Aligarh Muslim University, administered open book tests to assess students.
• Furthermore, IIT Delhi, IIT Indore, and IIT Bombay conducted online OBEs.
• Kerala's higher education exam reforms commission proposed the open book format but limited its use to internal or practical exams.

Are Open Book Exams Less Challenging?

• Open Book Assessments do not necessarily pose less difficulty compared to traditional exams.
• They are designed to assess comprehension beyond mere recollection of facts and definitions.
• Designing questions for an open-book exam can be intricate for educators because, unlike traditional exams, questions cannot be straightforward.

What Promoted CBSE for the Open Book Exam?

• The CBSE's proposal aligns with broader reforms planned in the school education system.
• Although the National Education Policy, 2020 doesn't explicitly mention open-book exams, it emphasizes shifting from memorization to competency-based learning.
• For example, students should understand and demonstrate concepts like photosynthesis practically, showing the impact of sunlight on plants through projects.
• The National Curriculum Framework for School Education also emphasizes the need to revamp assessment methods.
• The current system often focuses on rote learning and creates anxiety.
• The framework suggests assessments that cater to diverse learning styles, offer constructive feedback and aid in achieving learning goals.
• The CBSE’s proposal falls in line with the larger reforms planned in the National Education Policy, 2020.

What Do Studies Indicate About Open Book Exams?

• A 2021 study involving medical students from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar found that open book exams were less stressful.
• Another pilot study, published in Cambridge University Press in 2020, aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of online open-book exams.
• Among the 98 students involved, 21.4% failed while 78.6% passed.
• Feedback from 55 participating students indicated that the main advantage of this type of assessment was its low-stress nature, although network connectivity issues were a common complaint.
• Additionally, a 2021 study on the use of open book exams for students at Delhi University (DU) revealed that although the mean marks obtained in an OBE were higher than in closed book exams, the university didn't focus on cultivating the necessary skills for students to excel in open book assessments.