Competency-Based Assessment - How Teachers Should Set Question Papers

In short: CBSE mandates that 50% of board exam questions must be competency-based since 2024-25, but most teachers never received clear rubrics, model papers, or training on how to create these questions. This guide breaks down the 50-20-30 question paper format, teaches you how to write case-based, assertion-reasoning, and source-based questions step by step, and includes a sample question paper template you can adapt for any subject.

What Competency-Based Questions Actually Are

A competency-based question (CBQ) tests whether a student can apply knowledge to solve a problem, not just recall a definition or formula. The difference is fundamental.

Traditional question: "Define photosynthesis and write its equation."

Competency-based question: "A farmer notices that his greenhouse plants grow taller near the windows but remain stunted in the center. Using your knowledge of photosynthesis and light's role in the process, explain why this happens and suggest two changes the farmer could make to improve growth throughout the greenhouse."

Both questions test the same concept - photosynthesis. But the competency-based version requires understanding, application, and problem-solving. A student who memorized the definition and equation might struggle with this. A student who truly understands the process will handle it well.

CBSE's directive is clear: test how well students apply knowledge to real-life situations. Jagranjosh confirms that board exams now include case-based, source-based, and assertion-reasoning formats. Oswal Publishers describes the shift as "application-driven learning and problem-solving."

The challenge? As Almanack.ai notes, CBSE mandated this shift without providing sufficient model papers or rubrics for teachers. You are expected to create these questions without being shown exactly how.

This guide fills that gap.

The 50-20-30 Question Paper Split Explained

Since 2024-25, CBSE board exam question papers follow this structure:

What This Means for Internal Assessments

Your unit tests, mid-terms, and pre-board exams should mirror this split. If students encounter competency-based questions for the first time in the actual board exam, they will struggle. Practice matters.

For a 50-mark internal exam, the split looks like:

• 25 marks: Competency-based questions
• 10 marks: MCQs
• 15 marks: Short and long answer

How to Create Case-Based Questions - Step by Step

Case-based questions present a real-world scenario and then ask 4-5 sub-questions based on that scenario.

Step 1 - Choose a Real-World Context

The case should be something students can relate to or find interesting. Avoid textbook-like scenarios. Use everyday Indian contexts.

Good contexts: Local markets, Indian railways, cooking, sports like cricket, village water systems, monsoon patterns, family budgets, mobile phone usage, Indian festivals, local businesses.

Weak contexts: Abstract hypothetical situations with no cultural connection.

Step 2 - Connect the Case to Specific Learning Outcomes

Each case should test 2-3 learning outcomes from your syllabus. Map the sub-questions to these outcomes before writing them.

Step 3 - Write the Case (100-150 Words)

Keep it clear, concise, and engaging. Include specific data (numbers, measurements, percentages) that students will need for their answers.

Step 4 - Write 4-5 Sub-Questions at Different Levels

Step 5 - Create the Marking Scheme

Be specific about what earns marks. A competency-based marking scheme rewards the reasoning process, not just the final answer.

Complete Case-Based Question Example (Science - Class 10)

Case: Ravi's family lives in a village in Rajasthan where summer temperatures reach 47 degrees Celsius. They use a traditional matka (clay pot) to cool drinking water. Ravi notices that the water inside the matka is always cooler than room temperature, and the outside of the pot feels damp even though no one poured water on it. His sister Meena suggests buying an electric refrigerator instead. Their monthly electricity bill is already Rs 800, and the refrigerator would add Rs 400 per month. The matka costs Rs 150 and lasts one summer season.

(a) Explain the scientific principle behind why the water inside the matka is cooler than the surrounding air. (2 marks)

(b) Why does the outside of the matka feel damp? Name the process involved. (2 marks)

(c) If Ravi's family uses 5 liters of water per day and the matka cools water by 8 degrees Celsius, calculate the amount of heat energy removed from the water daily. (Specific heat capacity of water = 4.2 J/g per degree C) (3 marks)

(d) Evaluate whether Ravi's family should switch to the refrigerator. Consider both scientific efficiency and economic factors in your answer. (3 marks)

Marking scheme for (d): Award marks for scientific comparison (1 mark), economic analysis (1 mark), and justified conclusion (1 mark). Accept either recommendation if well-reasoned.

How to Create Assertion-Reasoning Questions

Assertion-reasoning questions present two statements and ask students to evaluate the relationship between them.

The Format

Assertion (A): A statement of fact or claim. Reason (R): A statement explaining or related to the assertion.

Options:

• (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true but R is false
• (d) A is false but R is true

Tips for Writing Good Assertion-Reasoning Questions

1. Both statements should be individually clear - confusion about meaning should not be the challenge
2. The relationship between A and R is what students need to figure out - this is where competency is tested
3. Include distractors where both statements are true but unrelated - option (b) is the most challenging
4. Avoid making the correct answer always (a) - vary the answer distribution

Example (Maths - Class 10)

Assertion (A): The sum of a rational number and an irrational number is always irrational.

Reason (R): The product of a non-zero rational number and an irrational number is always irrational.

Answer: (b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Why this works: Both statements are mathematically correct. Students need to understand that the product rule does not explain the sum rule - they are independent properties. This tests real understanding, not memorization.

How to Create Source-Based Questions

Source-based questions provide a data source - a graph, table, map, excerpt, or image - and ask questions about it.

Types of Sources

Example (Social Science - Class 10)

Source: A table showing India's GDP growth rate, agricultural sector's GDP contribution, and employment in agriculture from 2000 to 2025 (five data points).

(a) Identify the trend in agriculture's share of GDP over the 25-year period. (1 mark)

(b) Despite the decline in agriculture's GDP share, 42% of India's workforce is still employed in agriculture. What economic problem does this suggest? (2 marks)

(c) Suggest two policy measures that could address the gap between agriculture's declining GDP contribution and its high employment share. (2 marks)

Sample Question Paper Template

Here is a template for a 50-mark unit test following the 50-20-30 structure.

Section A - Multiple Choice Questions (10 marks)

• 10 MCQs at 1 mark each
• Include 3-4 higher-order MCQs (application level)
• Include 1-2 assertion-reasoning MCQs

Section B - Competency-Based Questions (25 marks)

• Case Study 1: Real-world scenario with 5 sub-questions (10 marks)
• Case Study 2: Data/source-based with 4 sub-questions (8 marks)
• Application-based question 1 (3 marks)
• Application-based question 2 (4 marks)

Section C - Short and Long Answer (15 marks)

• 3 short answer questions at 2 marks each (6 marks)
• 1 medium answer at 3 marks (3 marks)
• 1 long answer at 6 marks with internal choice (6 marks)

Common Mistakes Teachers Make When Setting CBQs

Grading Rubric Suggestions for CBQs

Traditional marking (right answer = full marks, wrong answer = zero) does not work well for competency-based questions. Use rubric-based grading instead.

General Rubric for a 4-Mark CBQ

Key Rubric Principle

Award marks for the process and reasoning, not just the final answer. A student who uses the right approach but makes a calculation error should score significantly more than a student who writes an unrelated answer. This encourages students to show their thinking, which is the entire point of competency-based assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create CBQs for subjects like Hindi or English Literature?

For language subjects, use text excerpts as cases. Present a passage and ask students to analyze language use, identify literary devices in context, compare perspectives, or write a response from a character's point of view. For Hindi, use newspaper excerpts, advertisements, or dialogues as source material.

Should every test now be 50% competency-based?

For internal assessments, work toward the 50-20-30 split gradually. Start with 20-30% competency-based questions in your first attempt. Increase to 40% next quarter. Reach 50% by pre-boards. This gives both you and your students time to adjust.

Where do I find sample CBQs for reference?

CBSE sample papers released since 2024 include competency-based questions. NCERT exemplar problems are a good starting point. Oswal and Arihant publishers have released competency-based question banks. Review these for format and structure, then create your own using local, relevant contexts.

My students panic when they see case-based questions. How do I prepare them?

Practice is the only cure for panic. Include at least one case-based question in every unit test from the beginning of the year. Start with simpler cases (2-3 sub-questions) and gradually increase complexity. Discuss case-solving strategies in class - read the case first, identify which concepts apply, then answer.

Can I use the same case for different classes?

You can use the same real-world context but must adjust the questions for the appropriate class level. A case about water purification could generate Class 8 questions about filtration methods, Class 10 questions about chemical processes, and Class 12 questions about membrane technology.

How long should students get per case-based question?

For a 10-mark case study with 4-5 sub-questions, allocate approximately 15-18 minutes. This means students need to read and understand the case quickly (3-4 minutes) and spend the rest solving sub-questions. Practice timed case studies in class so students develop this skill.

Start Creating Better Assessments Today

The shift to competency-based assessment is not optional - it is already happening in board exams. Every internal test you create is an opportunity to prepare students for the format they will face.

Start with one case-based question in your next test. Use the step-by-step process in this guide. Ask a colleague to review it. See how students perform. Iterate.

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