The `Problem Solving
Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA)
For class IX
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
analyse written text and effective communication are the
skills which ensure success in Higher Studies
and Professional areas.These dimensions of 21
st
Century life skills will greatly assist learners in
acquiring
higher order thinking skills such as Problem Solving and
Decision Making.
It is in this connection that the Board is planning to
initiate a `Problem Solving Assessment’
(CBSE-PSA) for students of Classes IX from the second term
of this session 2012-13.
The features of the `Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA)
will be as follows: -
1. Itwill be compulsory for all students of
Classes IX and carry 90 marks. There will be 60 items of
MCQ type.
2. There is no specific syllabus for `Problem Solving
Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA). It will assess the
following areas:-
Quantitative Reasoning
Qualitative Reasoning
Language Conventions
3. The items will incorporate aspects of 21
St Century Skills (Creative Thinking, Decision Making,
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Communication) that
lead to success at Secondary
Stage. They wouldbe assessing student’s ability to process,
interpret and use information rather
than assessing student’s prior subject matter knowledge.
4. The Assessmentin language will contain items that will
assess grammar, usage, vocabulary in
context and passage-completion.
5. The items inProblem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA)will be
designed in such a way so as
to improve the generic and higher order thinking skills.
This will also result in improving scores
within the core school subjects.
6. All items will be prepared in Hindi and English.Central
Board of Secondary Education, PA toDIR(Trg)/Circulars/2012 July 31, 2012
Page 2 of 6
7.The `Problem Solving Assessment’
(CBSE-PSA) willbe done during the month of
January–
February 2013 for
students of Class IX.
8. 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.
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 certificatein 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 ofFA-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.
