CBSE Board Exam 2025: Calculators to be allowed in CBSE 12th Accountancy Exam?

According to CBSE officials, the board is planning to allow students to use basic, non-programmable calculators during CBSE Board exams 2025 to help manage lengthy financial calculations. This move is designed to alleviate the mental strain of complex arithmetic, enabling students to focus more on analytical tasks.

CBSE Board Exam 2025 Class 12: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is considering a significant policy shift aimed at easing the cognitive load for Class 12 students in their accountancy exams. According to CBSE officials, the board is planning to allow students to use basic, non-programmable calculators during CBSE Board exams 2025 to help manage lengthy financial calculations. This move is designed to alleviate the mental strain of complex arithmetic, enabling students to focus more on analytical tasks. According to the official CBSE Date Sheet 2025 Class 12, the Board is scheduled to conduct the Accountancy exam on March 26, 2025.

Panel to Formulate Guidelines for Calculator Usage

To ensure uniformity and prevent misuse, the board will form a panel to create clear guidelines regarding which calculators will be allowed in the exam. The new guidelines will restrict the use of only basic, non-programmable calculators that support essential functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentage calculations. This policy is intended to level the playing field for all students, ensuring that only simple tools are used for calculation while avoiding advanced or programmable devices.

Current Practices for Special Needs Students

Currently, students with special needs in both Class 10 and Class 12 are already permitted to use calculators during their board exams. This move is now being extended to Class 12 accountancy students, a step that aligns with practices in other educational systems. For instance, the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) permitted Class 12 students to use calculators in 2021, and CBSE is following suit with its own initiative.

Curriculum Committee's Argument for the Change

The proposal was put forward by the CBSE’s curriculum committee, which argues that allowing basic calculators will help students focus on answering analytical questions and case studies rather than getting bogged down by lengthy calculations. According to a senior board official, this shift would help reduce the overall stress on students and could enhance their exam performance by giving them more time to tackle complex problems that require critical thinking.

Enhancing Analytical Responses and Aligning with NEP

This move also aims to promote higher-order thinking skills, a key focus of the National Education Policy (NEP). The board intends to shift the emphasis of examinations toward analytical and problem-solving skills, which are essential in the modern education system. By allowing calculators, the board believes students will have more mental capacity to engage in these higher-order cognitive tasks, aligning with global education standards and preparing them for real-world challenges.

Introducing On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Faster Evaluation

In addition to the calculator policy, CBSE is also exploring other reforms, including piloting an On-Screen Marking (OSM) system for certain subjects. The OSM system will digitize the evaluation process by scanning and uploading answer sheets, allowing for faster and more efficient grading. The system aims to reduce delays caused by physically transporting answer books to evaluation centers and ensure quicker feedback for students.

Pilot Program for OSM and Re-evaluation Process

The OSM initiative is expected to be rolled out as a pilot program in select subjects during the main board exams for Classes 10 and 12, starting in the 2024-25 academic session. The pilot will likely cover subjects such as science, mathematics, and supplementary exams, with the goal of streamlining the evaluation process and providing more timely results. Additionally, the board is considering a revamped re-evaluation process to ensure that students' concerns regarding their marks are addressed more effectively.

Step Toward a Student-Centric Examination System

With these proposed changes, CBSE aims to enhance the overall examination experience for students by reducing stress, improving performance, and aligning its practices with modern educational standards. By allowing basic calculators in accountancy exams, piloting the OSM system, and improving the re-evaluation process, the board is moving towards a more student-centric approach to assessments. These steps could play a crucial role in reshaping the future of board examinations in India.

Read More:

• Assam Board Exam 2025: All Class 11 Exams CANCELLED after Question Paper Leak
• Haryana Board to conduct HBSE 10th 12th Re-exam for Papers Cancelled due to Leak