As students in the UAE prepare for Open-Book Assessments (OBAs), some CBSE-affiliated schools are ramping up efforts to equip teachers with the skills they need to navigate these new types of tests.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has approved the introduction of OBAs for Class 9 starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The move follows a pilot study that showed strong teacher support for the approach.
Although schools will be encouraged to follow the framework, its adoption will be voluntary.
Shining Star International School in Abu Dhabi, Principal Abhilasha Singh drew upon her own experiences. “I remember being in Grade 9 when the Government of India first piloted this for the Uttar Pradesh (state) Board. We were excited to have the textbook as an ally, but it wasn’t easy to find answers if you hadn’t thoroughly read the book.”
Headteachers emphasized that the decision is in alignment with the National Curriculum Framework 2023, which underscores the need to transition from rote memorization to competency-based learning.
Muhammad Ali Kottakkulam, Principal of Cosmopolitan International School in Ajman, said, “The proposal, based on a pilot study, is to incorporate OBA into three pen-paper tests conducted each term in languages, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. The pilot study indicated that students are facing challenges in effectively utilising resources, grasping interdisciplinary concepts, and applying critical thinking and problem solving skills.”
The focus, he said, will be “on equipping teachers with the skills to design application-based questions, how to effectively implement them into the classroom settings, and how to monitor student progress and evaluate their performance in an OBA format.”
CBSE has previously explored open-book assessments; in 2014, it launched the Open Text Based Assessment (OTBA) for Class 9, covering subjects like Hindi, English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science.
Principals noted that the program was later extended to Class 11 for subjects including Economics, Biology, and Geography, but it was discontinued in the 2017–18 academic year due to its limited effectiveness in fostering critical thinking skills.
“I strongly recommend that questions be application-oriented, demanding analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving,” said Shiny Davison, Principal of Woodlem Park School in Hamidiya, Ajman. “CBSE will provide guidelines, sample papers, and question-design frameworks, with an optional rollout allowing schools time to adapt. As a school leader, my priority is building teacher capacity through training, workshops, and master-trainer support to create and assess higher-order questions. If implemented with thoughtful design and phased adoption, OBAs can deepen understanding, ease exam stress, and prepare students for real-world challenges.”
© Khaleej Times
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