Problem Solving Assessment PSA in CBSE

What is Problem Solving Assessment (PSA)?

PSA is a pen-paper test which has been introduced into the cbse curriculum specially for class 9th & 10th   to evaluate the skills of verbal communication, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, creative thinking, decision making among students. PSA is not a subject based exam. It is closely related to the skills learnt through understanding the concepts associated with different subjects.

It is well recognized that the skills of verbal communication, analytical reasoning, critical thinking, creative thinking and decision making  play a crucial role for every individual in order to be successful in personal as well as professional life. To promote all these skills among the students, the Board initiated the conduct of Problem solving Assessment (which is an objective type test) in February, 2013. The initiative of the Board has been widely accepted and appreciated by the stakeholders.

Critical thinking is the ability of a person that allows him/her to have a look at a problem or situation and be able to evaluate what is right or wrong, with the use of common sense and analysis setting aside his own prejudices. It is an attempt to create reliable and reasonable evaluations.
The items included in the test aim to assess students’ ability to process, interpret and use information rather than assessing their prior subject matter knowledge.

With the introduction of this additional section CBSE  now takes 90 marks Problem Solving Assessment  for class 9 and class 11 students as a replacement of school based 4th formative assessment (FA-4).