CBSE to conduct SAFAL Assessment Test, assessment campaign to begin on December 8

This is a test that will assess children's understanding, thinking skills, and their ability to resolve situations.

Following the New Education Policy 2020, the teaching methodology in schools is constantly changing. The emphasis is no longer on mere rote learning, but rather on understanding a child's true understanding of a subject. To this end, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is launching the SAFAL Assessment across the country. This is a test that will assess children's understanding, thinking skills, and their ability to resolve situations. This test is designed not to burden children, but to improve their learning process.

The CBSE has announced that this examination for the 2025-26 academic session will begin on December 8. It will be conducted entirely in pen-and-paper mode and in all schools across the country. This time, students from grades 6 to 9 will participate in the exam. The board has sent guidelines to schools and provided a link allowing schools to download OMR sheets a day before the exam.

What is the purpose of a successful assessment?

The purpose of a successful assessment is to reduce the habit of rote memorisation, to test children's actual understanding and concepts, to identify their thinking skills, and to test their ability to apply the topics taught in class.

It is to make education more useful and effective. CBSE has clearly stated that this is not a competitive exam. Students' marks will not be sent anywhere; instead, schools will analyze the results themselves to determine which areas students demonstrate strong understanding and where they need improvement.

Complete Exam Schedule

According to this complete exam schedule, exams for Class 9 students will begin on December 8th, with Science on the first day, Language on the second day, and Mathematics on the third day. Similarly, Class 6 students will begin their exams on December 11th, with Environmental Science first, Language on December 15th, and Mathematics on December 16th. These exams will only assess whether students are able to understand and answer the questions or simply write memorized answers.

Conducted in Two Languages

According to the CBSE, the exam will be conducted in both Hindi and English mediums. OMR sheets for the exam will also be made available to schools, which will be printed and distributed to students on exam day.