CBSE Practical Examinations 2024–25: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released comprehensive guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for conducting practical exams in 2025. The practical exams for CBSE Class X and Class XII will be held from January 1 to February 14, 2025. These guidelines aim to ensure that the examination process is fair, efficient, and error-free.
Source: Safalta
Key Guidelines for Schools
The CBSE has issued clear instructions to schools regarding exam schedules, marking protocols, and the roles of internal and external examiners. Schools must ensure that all processes are carried out without any errors, upload marks on time, and follow CBSE’s instructions precisely to avoid penalties. The board has emphasized that marks for practical exams, projects, and internal assessments should be uploaded starting from the date the exams are held. Internal and external examiners are responsible for ensuring that correct marks are recorded.
The CBSE has also issued a strict warning against any attempts to influence examiners or engage in unfair practices during the exams. If students are found attempting to communicate with examiners to influence them or using any other undesirable methods to gain an unfair advantage, they will be considered as having engaged in unfair practices, leading to disciplinary action.
Preparation and Examination Process
Preparation by Schools:
Schools are responsible for ensuring that their laboratories are fully equipped with the required materials, apparatus, and chemicals. An external examiner will inspect the facilities a day before the practical exams to ensure everything is in order.
Batch Size Management:
To streamline the examination process, students will be divided into batches of 30. These batches may be further split into sub-groups of 15 students each, allowing for efficient lab work and written tasks. Practical exams for an entire batch should be completed on the same day, with marks uploaded collectively.
Internal and External Examiners:
For Class XII, CBSE will appoint external examiners who, along with the internal examiners, will conduct the assessments. Schools need to provide accurate details of examiners, including teacher IDs and bank account details for smooth payment processing. A group photograph of each batch, including students, internal and external examiners, and any observers, must be uploaded through the CBSE app link, with geotagging and timestamps to verify the authenticity of the examination.
Marking and Error Prevention
To minimize discrepancies in the marking process, schools and examiners are required to follow strict protocols when submitting marks. Marks must be awarded for individual components such as laboratory work, viva voce, and projects. The marks should be in whole numbers only, with no fractional marks accepted. Examiners are instructed to finalize and upload the marks on the same day as the examination, as no corrections can be made afterward. Schools should scan and save signed award lists digitally before uploading them and keep these records securely stored for one year after the result declaration.
Special Instructions for Class X and XII
Class X:
For Class X students, practical exams and projects will be conducted internally by the schools, without the involvement of external examiners. Schools are required to arrange practical answer books locally as CBSE will not provide them.
Class XII:
Class XII students will have their practical exams assessed by external examiners, with internal examiners assisting. CBSE may appoint observers to oversee the examination process.