CBSE Open-Book Exam for Class 9: Meaning, Benefits & Future of Education

Exams have always been a nerve-racking experience with endless hours of memorisation, last-minute cramming, and the pressure to recall every single formula or definition being the norm. But times are changing.

With open-book exams gaining ground, especially under CBSE’s new approach, the focus is shifting from rote memorisation to real learning. Let’s explore what this means for students, teachers, and the future of Indian education.

What is an Open-Book Exam?

An open-book exam is an assessment where students are allowed to use textbooks, notes, or other approved resources during the test. Here, they are evaluated not on their ability to recall memorised material, but on their capacity to interpret, analyse, and apply concepts. It measures their understanding and problem-solving rather than memory.

What to Expect from an Open-Book Exam?

The term “open-book” may sound deceptively simple, but for students, it is anything but easy. These assessments are designed to test higher-order thinking rather than memory recall, and they demand careful preparation and deeper engagement with the subject. Here’s what your students will typically face:

• Application & Analysis: Instead of recalling facts, students will need to apply concepts to unfamiliar situations, interpret data sets, or compare and contrast ideas. This way, you’ll get an idea of whether they have understood the concept thoroughly.
• Synthesis & Evaluation: Responses often require drawing from multiple chapters or resources, demanding a well-reasoned and coherent synthesis of knowledge.
• “Big Picture” Thinking: Exams are likely to assess how well students connect different topics, testing their grasp of overarching concepts rather than isolated details.

Benefits of Open-Book Exams

Open-book exams come with a lot of advantages that directly address the limitations of traditional tests and support the shift to more meaningful learning:

• Reduces Exam Stress & Anxiety: With access to reference materials, students don’t have to memorise entire textbooks. This lowers exam-related pressure and shifts the focus from rote learning to subject understanding.
• Encourages Critical Thinking: Instead of looking for “right” answers, students are required to analyse, evaluate, and apply concepts in different contexts. This builds higher-order thinking skills that are crucial in real-world problem-solving.
• Promotes Conceptual Clarity: Because answers can’t be copied directly, students must first understand the subject thoroughly to interpret and present ideas correctly. This leads to a stronger grasp of concepts rather than surface-level recall.
• Develops Real-World Skills: Much like professionals who consult resources in their daily work, students learn to use available information effectively. This nurtures decision-making and adaptability, preparing them for workplace scenarios.
• Enhances Lifelong Learning Skills: Open-book exams improve the ability to locate, filter, and use information efficiently. These are essential lifelong skills that help students adapt to new challenges in higher education and beyond.
• Fosters Independent Learning: With the responsibility of organising notes, managing time, and preparing resources, students learn to take ownership of their learning process. This independence strengthens academic and personal growth.
• Supports Ethical Learning: By discouraging rote memorisation and “ready-made” answers, this type of exam emphasises reasoning, originality, and fair use of knowledge. This promotes integrity in learning and assessment practices.
• Prepares for Competency-Based Education: Open-book exams are aligned with the NEP 2020 vision of outcome-driven, skill-oriented learning. They encourage students to demonstrate mastery of competencies rather than just factual knowledge.

Clearly, an open-book exam in India is not about making things “easy” but about making education meaningful.

Why is CBSE Making the Change?

The CBSE open-book exam plan aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. Both call for a decisive move away from rote memorisation towards competency-based learning. This shift will help students focus more on problem-solving, conceptual clarity, and real-world readiness, rather than simply cramming information to pass their exams.

CBSE Open-Book Exams for Class 9

From the 2026-27 academic year, the CBSE open-book exam will first roll out for Class 9 students. Initially, these will be used as part of internal assessments in subjects like English, Maths, Science, and Biology.

CBSE has assured schools that they will not be left to navigate this change alone. Sample papers, frameworks, and guidelines will be provided to help both teachers and students adapt smoothly. Schools will also have the autonomy to adopt the model at their own pace.

How to Design an Open-Book Exam in India

Designing an effective open-book exam in India requires more than just allowing students to use notes or textbooks. The key is to ensure that questions align with learning outcomes and demand higher-order thinking rather than simple recall. Here’s how schools and teachers can structure these exams effectively:

1. Define Learning Outcomes

   Start by identifying what skills and knowledge students should develop through the course. Questions should measure conceptual understanding, application, and synthesis, not just the ability to look up information in a book.

2. Design Effective Questions

   • Contextualise: Place questions within real-world problems, case studies, or scenarios to prompt application of knowledge.
   • Use Directive Verbs: Words like analyse, justify, compare, synthesise, or evaluate guide students toward critical and creative thinking.
   • Avoid Vagueness: Keep questions unambiguous to reduce time wasted in interpretation.
   • Vary Difficulty: Balance the exam by including both straightforward and complex questions instead of relying on only high-stakes tasks.

3. Provide Clear Instructions & Guidance

   • State Expectations: Be explicit about time limits, word counts, and what a strong answer looks like. Also, remind students that open-book exams are not about copying but about applying knowledge, so preparation is still essential.
   • Communicate Clearly: Use a supportive tone and offer forums or Q&A channels for clarification.

How Should Schools Conduct Open-Book Exams?

• Specify Allowed Materials: Schools must clearly outline which textbooks, notes, or digital resources are permitted. This transparency avoids confusion and ensures fairness across students.
• Run Practice Tests: Conducting mock open-book tests helps students and teachers get comfortable with the format and highlights potential challenges.
• Set Fair Time Limits: Time allocations should balance the need to consult materials with the effort required to write thoughtful answers. This prevents exams from becoming either rushed or overly drawn out.
• Give Clear Instructions: Rules, response formats, and expectations must be communicated upfront. Clear guidelines reduce stress and help students focus on applying knowledge.
• Maintain Exam Integrity: Invigilation in classrooms or digital monitoring tools (for online exams) should be used. This preserves credibility and ensures the OBE system is trusted.

How Can Schools Implement Open-Book Exams Successfully?

• Teacher Training: Equip your teachers with the skills to design competency-based assessments aligned with NEP 2020.
• Classroom Shift: Move from lecture-heavy teaching to interactive, discussion-led learning.
• Student Preparation: Teach learners how to organise notes, index textbooks, and manage time during exams.
• Transparency & Quality: Share rubrics in advance and encourage peer review of question papers.
• Collaboration: Work with EdTech platforms like Extramarks to access resources, digital tools, and frameworks for effective adoption of this type of exam.

How Extramarks Can Help

The transition to open-book exams for CBSE Class 9 will not be without its challenges. But this is where EdTech partners like Extramarks can make a real difference:

• AI-Driven Assessments: Extramarks Extra Intelligence can auto-generate application-based questions to match the OBE format.
• Interactive Learning Content: Rich, multimedia content designed for deep conceptual clarity and critical thinking.
• Teacher Training Modules: Empower teachers with competency-based pedagogy techniques.
• Performance Analytics: Tools to track student readiness, identify learning gaps, and personalise preparation.
• Mock OBE Simulations: Digital practice platforms to prepare students and educators for the real exam day.

With such support, the implementation of open-book exams in India can be smooth, effective, and impactful.

Last Updated on October 17, 2025

Reviewed by

Prachi Singh | VP - Academics

Prachi Singh is a highly accomplished educationist with over 16 years of experience in the EdTech industry. Currently, she plays a pivotal role at Extramarks, leading content strategy and curriculum development initiatives that shape the future of education...read more.