CBSE Proposes Open Book Exam 2025: Meaning & Pilot Exam Date for Class 9 to 12

CBSE Proposes Open Book Exam 2025: Meaning & Pilot Exam Date for Class 9 to 12

Team Careers360Updated on 12 Aug 2025, 11:36 AM IST

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) approved the Open Book Examination (OBE) for students in Class 9. Although the board’s governing body had initially approved the plan to introduce open-book exams for all secondary classes (Classes 9 to 12) in December 2023, it has now opted not to extend the pilot to Classes 10, 11 and 12 for the academic year 2025-26.
Read the Latest News on CBSE Open Book Exams Here.

This Story also Contains

  1. Open Book Exam Meaning
  2. CBSE Clarification on Open Book Exam
  3. Latest Update on CBSE Board Exams 2026
CBSE Proposes Open Book Exam 2025: Meaning & Pilot Exam Date for Class 9 to 12
CBSE Open Book Exam (Image by pressfoto on Freepik)

The CBSE has recently approved the integration of open-book assessments (OBAs) into Class 9 internal examinations, beginning in the 2026–27 academic session. This decision, ratified by the board’s Governing Body in June, will make OBAs a component of the three pen-and-paper assessments conducted each term across core subjects such as Language, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. The move follows a successful pilot study that focused on cross-cutting themes within the curriculum and intentionally avoided introducing new reading materials, affirming the potential of OBAs to foster critical thinking over rote memorisation

Open Book Exam Meaning

An open book examination is a test where students can refer to textbooks, notes or other approved resources while answering questions in the examination. These exams focus more on critical thinking and assess the student’s ability to process or use available information and apply it in various contexts. As per CBSE’s OBE design strategy, the OBE is supposed to test higher-order thinking skills, application, analysis, critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving abilities of the students.

CBSE Clarification on Open Book Exam

In its December 2023 meeting, the CBSE governing body approved a recommendation from the curriculum committee to introduce open-book tests or assessments for secondary students (Classes 9–12) in select subjects.

According to the proposal, “The tests may be piloted in schools to evaluate various aspects, such as the time students take to complete them, their suitability for formative or summative assessments, and stakeholders' perceptions regarding the initiative.”

The committee initially focused on developing and reviewing open book assessments for six subjects: English, science, and mathematics for Classes 9 and 10, and English, mathematics, and biology for Classes 11 and 12. However, the scope of the pilot has now been narrowed.

Latest Update on CBSE Board Exams 2026

The Central Board of Secondary Education will release the CBSE Board exam date sheet 2025. The CBSE 10th and 12th exams are set to commence on February 17, 2026. All the latest information on CBSE board exams 2025 can be found by clicking on the link provided.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 12th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 12th ?

Hello,

If you want to improve the Class 12 PCM results, you can appear in the improvement exam. This exam will help you to retake one or more subjects to achieve a better score. You should check the official website for details and the deadline of this exam.

I hope it will clear your query!!

For the 2025-2026 academic session, the CBSE plans to conduct board exams from 17 February 2026 to 20 May 2026.

You can download it in pdf form from below link

CBSE DATE SHEET 2026

all the best for your exam!!

Hii neeraj!

You can check CBSE class 12th registration number in:

  • Your class 12th board exam admit card. Please do check admit card for registration number, it must be there.
  • You can also check the registration number in your class 12th marksheet in case you have got it.
  • Alternatively you can also visit your school and ask for the same in the administration office they may tell you the registration number.

Hope it helps!

Hello Aspirant,

SASTRA University commonly provides concessions and scholarships based on merit in class 12 board exams and JEE Main purposes with regard to board merit you need above 95% in PCM (or on aggregate) to get bigger concessions, usually if you scored 90% and above you may get partial concessions. I suppose the exact cut offs may change yearly on application rates too.

Hello,

After 12th, if you are interested in computer science, the best courses are:

  • B.Tech in Computer Science Engineering (CSE) – most popular choice.

  • BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) – good for software and IT jobs.

  • B.Sc. Computer Science / IT – good for higher studies and research.

  • B.Tech in Information Technology (IT) – focuses on IT and networking.

All these courses have good career scope. Choose based on your interest in coding, software, hardware, or IT field.

Hope it helps !