Problem Solving Assessment

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.