WHAT IS PSA? (PROBLEM SOLVING ASSESSMENT)
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 21st Century life skills will greatly assist learners in acquiring higher order thinking skills such as Problem Solving and Decision Making. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to initiate “Problem Solving Assessment” (CBSE- PSA) for students of Classes IX and XI from the second term of session 2012-13. The board has decided to replace one of the four formative assessments (FA) with a problem solving assessment (PSA) for Classes IX and XI. The first test will be conducted on January-February 2013 for Class IX. The test will involve questions to test a student’s problem-solving ability. The PSA is not a new test but it will replace the already existing pen-paper test in the FA. The only difference will be that PSA will be conducted by the Board in the respective schools and the evaluation will be done by the Board. The exam will be conducted on the same day and the question paper will be provided by the Board. This 90-minute test will have nothing from the textbooks. It will comprise of questions from mathematics and an English passage from old essays or contemporary fiction. The new criterion will fit into the third and fourth formative assessments. The fourth assessment includes multiple choice questions, projects and unit tests. All these will be replaced by a PSA that tests a student’s knowledge on co-scholastic situations. Registration for this Assessment will be done separately by the Board and detailed circular will be issued before the start of the second term i.e. September 2012.
CBSE PSA for Class XI PSA
The features of the ^Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA) are as follows: - It will be compulsory for all students of Class XI and carry 90 marks. There will be 60 items of MCQ type. There is no specific syllabus for PSA. It will assess the following areas:-
1. Quantitative Reasoning (found in mathematics, science and technology)
2.Qualitative Reasoning (found in humanities, arts and social sciences) Language Conventions
The items will incorporate aspects of 21 Century Skills (Creative Thinking, Decision Making, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Communication) that lead to success in University studies. They should be able to assess student’s ability to process, interpret and use information rather than assess student’s prior subject matter knowledge. The Assessment will contain items that will assess written expression, including grammar and usage, vocabulary in context and passage-completion. The items will be able to assess students’ ability. The test items will be so designed that they will also help in improving scores within the core school subjects as the Problem Solving Assessment test items are designed to improve generic and higher order thinking skills. All items will be prepared in Hindi and English. The ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE-PSA) will be done during the month of January – February 2013 for students of Class XI. The Class XI students will get a certificate on the ‘Problem Solving Assessment’ (CBSE- PSA). There will be no separate time tables or periods for teaching or practice of PSA in schools. The quantitative domain of the CBSE – PSA would make comparatively modest domains on mathematical knowledge but would emphasize logical and numerical reasoning and use of basic mathematical knowledge.
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