CBSE all set for Class 10 aptitude test in November

With an objective to provide Class 10 students with their aptitude assessment reports well ahead of entry in Class 11, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be conducting the Students Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) test in November 2013 instead of January next. The test is discretionary, not mandatory on the Class 10 students.

Talking to Hindustan Times, RJ Khanderao, CBSE regional officer, Panchkula, said: “For the convenience of schools we have clubbed the registration process for the SGAI with the online list of candidates (LOC) of Class 10 for the academic session 2013-14. Moreover, the SGAI will be conducted in November this year instead of January next, as we want more and more students to take up the test. The CBSE is making constant effort to make the SGAI assessment more viable for the Class 10 students.”

The schools may get students registered for the SGAI on payment of `100 per student by September 30. No separate registration for the SGAI will be done or entertained this year, says the board.

Around 4, 00,000 students have so far opted for the CBSE-SGAI test in last three years worldwide. A survey of the CBSE schools revealed that out of 4, 00,000, 88% students relied on the CBSE-SGAI test.

However, considering the success and helpfulness of the SGAI test among Class 10 students while opting for a stream in Class 11, there have been widespread demands from different quarters to make the test mandatory. The advocates of the system are of opinion to make the SGAI test more inclusive, the Class 9 students and their parents should be sensitised about the benefits of the SGAI test so that the students can opt for the test when they enter Class 10.

In the past, too, the board had conducted many SGAI orientation programmes in schools, where it trained more than a thousand school counsellors and teachers.

Pradeep Singh, principal of Shamrock Christian Senior Secondary School, said: “Conducting the SGAI in November of instead of January is a good move by the board, which will definitely see increasing participation of students.

“The problem solving assessment, which is being conducted in January every year, kept students entangled and resulted in fewer students participating in the SGAI test. Furthermore, the last SGAI was conducted in January 2013 and the results were declared in May by the time students had taken admission in Class 11.”

Mona Singh, principal of Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, said: “With the board clubbing the registration process with the LoC for the current session, schools will be able to save plenty of time. Last year, the registration for Class 10 and SGAI was done separately.”

CBSE's objective behind SGAI

It aims to inform the students about their aptitude and interest, thereby helping them to make a right choice while opting for a stream in Class 11. The test helps students, their parents and teachers in initiating a dialogue on effective career planning on higher secondary level.

It also helps students in optimising their potential, enhancing satisfaction and increasing motivation.

What is the CBSE-SGAI for

The SGAI is a simple paper and pencil test of one and a half hour for the Class 10 students. In reality, it's not a traditional examination, but a psychological test. There are no right or wrong answers, negative marking, pass or fail. No syllabus and special preparations are required for the CBSE- SGAI. A student is expected to give sincere response to the assessment, as scores depends on environmental stimulus and motivation level of a student.