Indian CBSE Schools to admit students in Class XI on basis of aptitude test

[And now, some more serious posts. After all, this is something important even if it doesn't affect most of us directly.]

Wed, Nov 18 06:12 AM

"Clearing the dilemma of schools regarding giving admission to students in Class XI, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced its scheme of Global Aptitude Test for Class X students. It would be on the basis of this test that the school would promote a student to Class XI admitting him/her in a particular stream.The test will allow a student to know his/her aptitude based on which he/she can can choose a stream in Class XI. The tests have been designed as in the absence of Board exams for Class X, schools would not be able to admit students on the basis of pass percentage as in the previous years.Madhu Bhal, Principal, KBDAV School, Sector 7, said, "The CBSE has announced a workshop for holding the test. It will be conducted in our school which would be presided over by CBSE chairperson Vineet Joshi."In addition to the results of Global Aptitude Test, credit will also be given to the performance of students for both Classes IX and X.Meanwhile, all those students who wish to change their school after Class X will have to appear for an online entrance exam, the result of which would be accepted by all the CBSE-affiliated schools. However, the ICSE board has decided not to grant admission to any pass out from CBSE in Class XI and will not accept the grade card or the results of online test for admission."
- (some newspaper or the other)

Truly, what will we see next ? First grades and now this. Personally, I think it's a great idea for people to be tested as per their specific skill set and not rote learning but at the same time, one must wonder, why the original education system never took this into account.

They probably saw Indian students the world over flourishing and rising to top-notch executive jobs and sat around content to do nothing but watch. Well, change should be the only constant in our lives. The moment a person slackens his pace, he is left behind. It is good to see CBSE get its act back in gear but now there is confusion whether there will be a single aptitude test for 10th standard students or a board exam (as usual) on a graded basis and an aptitude test to boot.

I don't see the point in two separate exams. After all, the introduction of the grading system as purely to decrease strain on students and throwing in a second exam is completely the opposite of what is trying to be achieved. Anyway, that's just my opinion. Send me yours on brainfreeze3990@yahoo.in.