UAE CBSE Exams Revamped: Internal Assessment Impact

UAE CBSE Exams 2025: Impact of 40% Internal Assessment Introduction

Significant changes are expected in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination system in 2025, aiming to reduce academic stress and reliance on a single high-stakes exam for students. Under the new regulations, 40% of the total score will come from internal assessments, while the remaining 60% will be based on traditional end-of-year exams.

The changes will not affect the current year group

The new system will only be implemented in 2025, so it will not affect the current wave of exams beginning on February 15. The 10th-grade exams will conclude by March 18, while the 12th-grade students will finish their final exams by April 4. Practical exams, internal assessments, and project work began on January 1.

Currently, there are nearly 90 CBSE-affiliated schools operating in the UAE, which will also adopt the new system.

Details of the Changes

As part of the new assessment system, students will participate in regular tests, practical exams, project work, and subject enrichment activities that occur throughout the year. This approach emphasizes competency-based learning and critical thinking. The integration of technology, including the use of AI tools for question generation and monitoring of the evaluation process, plays a crucial role.

The principal of Regent Gulf Indian High School Dubai highlighted that the changes aim to promote continuous student engagement and learning. He added:

"Internal assessments will now account for 40% of the final score, while the end-of-year exams will account for the remaining 60%."

Experiential Learning and Skill Development

According to the principal of Sharjah Indian School, CBSE has become more flexible with the introduction of skill-based subjects such as typing, artificial intelligence, marketing, and insurance. Students are required to choose five mandatory subjects, but a sixth subject can also be part of their evaluation.

"If a student fails in one of the core subjects but passes the sixth subject, they will still be considered passing."

For core subjects, the ratios differ:

a. For practical subjects: 70-30

b. For theoretical subjects: 80-20

NEP 2020: The Impact of the New Education Policy

The new rules are introduced as part of the Indian National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As part of this, students are expected to maintain a minimum attendance of 75% to be eligible for exams. The changes will first affect students starting 9th grade in April 2025, who will experience the new system in both 9th and 10th grades.

The principal of Sharjah Ambassador School emphasized that while these changes are expected to take effect in 2025, the official notification has yet to be made.

"Although there is some uncertainty due to policy factors, the new rules are likely to be officially announced at the start of the academic year."

Long-Term Benefits

The aim of the new system is to develop students' real-life adaptability and critical thinking. Such a competency-based approach helps students better understand the curriculum and prepares them beyond just the single high-stakes exam. For UAE's CBSE schools, these changes are particularly important as a large number of students here will experience the new educational structure for the first time.

The innovations may contribute to creating a less stressful yet competitive and motivating environment, preparing students for the real challenges of life.