Exams have always been a nerve-wracking experience with endless hours of memorization, last-minute cramming, and the pressure to remember every single formula or definition as routine. But times are changing.
With the advent of open-book exams, especially under the new approach of CBSE, the focus is shifting from memorization to real learning. Let’s find out what this means for students, teachers and the future of Indian education.
The key path
- CBSE will introduce open-book examinations for Class 9 starting from 2026-27, which is linked to of NEP 2020 Focus on competency-based, real-world learning.
- OBEs test application, analysis, and critical thinking instead of rote memory.
- Schools should design clear, outcome-based questions and conduct practice tests.
- EdTech partners love Extra marks AI-driving assessments, teacher training, and MOCK exam simulations can reduce transitions.
What is Open Book Exam?
An open-book test is an assessment where students are allowed to use textbooks, notes, or other approved resources during the test. Here, they are assessed not on their ability to recall memorized material, but on their ability to interpret, analyze and apply concepts. It measures their understanding and problem solving rather than memory.
What to Expect from Open Book Exam?
The term “open book” may sound deceptively simple, but for students, it’s simple but easy. These assessments are designed to test higher-order thinking rather than memory recall, and they demand careful preparation and deep engagement with the subject. Here’s what your students will typically encounter:
- Application and Analysis: Instead of memorizing facts, students will need to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations, interpret data sets, or compare and contrast ideas. This way, you will have an idea whether they have understood the concept well or not.
- Synthesis and Evaluation: Answers often require drawing from multiple chapters or sources, calling for a well-argued and coherent synthesis of knowledge.
- “Big Picture” Thinking: Exams can assess how students connect different topics, testing their grasp of concepts rather than isolated details.
Advantages of Open Book Exams
Open book tests come with many advantages that directly address the limitations of traditional tests and support a shift to more meaningful learning.
- Reduces exam stress and anxiety: With access to reference materials, students do not need to memorize entire textbooks. This reduces exam related stress and shifts focus from rote learning.
- Encourages critical thinking: Instead of finding “correct” answers, students need to analyze, evaluate, and apply concepts in different contexts. It develops higher-order thinking skills that are important in real-world problem solving.
- Promotes conceptual clarity: Since the answers cannot be copied directly, students must first understand the topic well to correctly interpret and present the ideas. This leads to a firm grasp of concepts rather than surface-level memorization.
- Develops real-world skills: Like most professionals who consult resources in their daily work, students learn to use available information effectively. It nurtures decision-making and adaptability, and prepares them for workplace scenarios.
- Enhances lifelong learning skills: Open Book exams improve the ability to search, filter and use information effectively. These are essential lifelong skills that help students adapt to new challenges in higher education and beyond.
- Fosters Independent Learning: With responsibility for organizing notes, managing time and preparing resources, students learn to take ownership of their learning process. This freedom fosters academic and personal growth.
- Moral education supports: This type of exam emphasizes reasoning, originality, and fair use of knowledge, while discouraging rote memorization and “ready-made” answers. This promotes integrity in learning and assessment practices.
- Competency-based learning is geared toward: Open book examinations are aligned with the NEP 2020 vision of outcome-based, skill-based learning. They encourage students to master skills rather than mere factual knowledge.
Clearly, open-book testing in India is not about making things “easy” but about making education meaningful.
Why is CBSE changing?
CBSE Open Book Exam Plan is attached herewith National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 And National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Both call for a decisive move away from rote memorization towards competency-based learning. This change will help students focus more on problem solving, conceptual clarity and real-world preparation, rather than skimming information to pass their exams.
CBSE Open Book Exams for Class 9
From the academic year 2026-27, the CBSE Open Book exam will be ready for Class 9 students first. Initially, these will be used as part of internal assessment in subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and biology.
CBSE has assured schools that they will not be left to navigate this transition alone. Sample papers, frameworks and guidelines will be provided to help both teachers and students adapt easily. Schools will also have the autonomy to adopt the model at their own pace.
How to Design Open Book Exam in India
Designing an effective open-book exam in India requires more than just allowing students to use notes or textbooks. The key is to ensure that the questions are aligned with the learning outcomes and demand higher-order thinking rather than simple memorization. Here’s how schools and teachers can structure these tests effectively:
Define learning outcomes
Begin by identifying what skills and knowledge students should develop through the course. Questions should measure theoretical understanding, application and synthesis, not the ability to find information in a book.
Design effective questions
- Context: Put questions into real-world problems, case studies, or scenarios to quickly apply knowledge.
- Use directive verbs: Analyzing, justifying, comparing, synthesizing, or evaluating guides students toward critical and creative thinking.
- Avoid Ambiguity: Keep questions vague to reduce time wasted in interpretation.
- Different difficulties: Balance the exam by including both simple and complex questions rather than relying only on high-stakes tasks.
Provide clear instructions and guidance
- State Expectations: Be clear about time limits, word counts, and what a strong response looks like. Also, remind students that open book exams are not about copying but about applying knowledge, so preparation is still important.
- Communicate clearly: Use a supportive tone and offer forum or question-and-answer channels for clarification.
How should schools conduct open-book examinations?
- Specify the permitted content: Schools should clearly outline which textbooks, notes, or digital resources are allowed. This transparency avoids confusion and ensures fairness among students.
- Run the practice test: Conducting mock open-book tests helps students and teachers become comfortable with the format and highlights potential challenges.
- Set an appropriate time limit: Time allocation should balance the need to consult the material with the effort required to write thoughtful responses. This prevents exams from being either rushed or drawn out excessively.
- Give clear instructions: Rules, response formats, and expectations should be clearly communicated. Clear guidelines reduce stress and help students focus on applying knowledge.
- Maintain the integrity of the exam: Reinforcement should be used in classrooms or digital monitoring tools (for online exams). This preserves credibility and ensures that the OBE system is trusted.
How can schools successfully implement open-book tests?
- Teacher Training: Equip your teachers with design skills Competency-based assessment Aligned with NEP 2020.
- Classroom Shift: Move from lecture-heavy learning to interactive, discussion-led learning.
- Student Preparation: Teach learners how to take notes, index textbooks, and manage time during exams.
- Transparency and Quality: Share advance rubrics and encourage peer review of question papers.
- Collaboration: Work with an edtech platform like Evermarks to access the resources, digital tools, and frameworks to effectively adopt this type of exam.
How Extrax Can Help
The transition to open book exams for CBSE Class 9 will not be without its challenges. But this is where ed-tech partners like Extrax can make a real difference.
- AI-driven diagnostics: Extra marks Extra intelligence OBE can automatically generate application-based queries to match the format.
- Interactive Learning Materials: Multimedia content, designed for deep conceptual clarity and critical thinking.
- Teacher Training Modules: Empower teachers with competency-based teaching techniques.
- Performance Analytics: Tools to track student preparation, identify learning gaps, and personalize preparation.
- Funny obi analogy: A digital practice platform to prepare students and teachers for the actual exam day.
With such support, the implementation of open book exams in India can be smooth, effective and efficient.
Last updated on October 17, 2025
Parchi Singh | VP – Academics
Prachi Singh is a highly accomplished educationist with over 16 years of experience in the edtech industry. Currently, she plays a leading role at Xtramarks, leading content strategy and curriculum development initiatives that shape the future of education…Read more
