Aptitude and Interest Assessment with the First Ever CBSE Students Global Aptitude Index : Enrolment For The Programme

CBSE has recently extended the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation scheme in classes IX & X, introduced grading system in class X and has phased out class X exams for students of senior secondary schools. The common factor running across these initiatives is to make the entire spectrum of school education learner friendly.

The new approach also highlights the fact that each individual is unique with different sets of abilities. Identifying and optimizing abilities while preparing an individual for life and the world of work is one of the important and meaningful tasks of education. Senior secondary stage becomes the most defining phase as it influences higher studies and career choices later in life. More often than not, the choice of subjects is determined by the marks as also by the parental and peer pressure or the role models. In an ideal situation a child should be allowed to choose subjects based on his abilities and interest.

Therefore, in order to facilitate a child, CBSE has designed a tool named as the Students Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) to measure the aptitude in combination with the interest.

The Aptitude reflects the inherent capacity, talent or ability of a child. Aptitude testing is a student-friendly, universally accepted mode of rating capabilities for a particular activity. Aptitude tests are known to be reliable predictors of future scholastic achievement as they provide a profile of strengths and weaknesses of a student.

[i][b]HIGHLIGHTS OF CBSE STUDENTS GLOBAL APTITUDE INDEX (SGAI)[/b][/i]

Although a variety of aptitude screening tests are already in vogue to help the student identify personal interests and vocations, yet:-

1. SGAI is a battery of Aptitude Tests which also combines Interest profile of a student. 2. It has been customized to suit the Indian context and variety of student population in CBSE affiliated Private, Government and Aided Schools. 3. Unlike the conventional Aptitude Tests, which indicate professional orientations the CBSE SGAI will indicate subject orientations at +2 level. 4. The CBSE SGAI is meant for students of secondary classes. This coincides with the onset of adolescence and beginning of career concepts (although not in the concrete form). It is therefore crucial to give a road map to the child which is realistic and favorable. 5. SGAI is aimed to empower a child with “self knowledge” in terms of the Aptitude and Interest, to enable the child in making informed subjects choices. 6. Since CBSE SGI purports to reduce the mismatch between the Aptitude and the Interest it will further help in : Optimizing the child potential and enhance satisfaction Increasing motivation Reducing wastage of human and financial resources

[i][b]SGAI : DESCRIPTION[/b][/i]

After the analysis of first trial and the Pre and Post trial feedback from participating teachers and counselors, the test was modified and put to a second micro trial to ascertain the efficacy.

[b]STANDARDIZATION[/b]

The CBSE SGAI is finally ready for launch after rigorous process of standardization.

[b]IMPORTANT [/b]

CBSE- SGAI can be taken in class X to know the students preference for subjects after class X. However, it should be taken only as an indicator or a facilitator. The test will help the larger population including parents, teachers and students to initiate a dialogue on subject choices leading to careers ahead in life .However, the results of SGAI taken together with the student’s assessment from other sources will ultimately help students and parents in making informed choices. Mental preparedness and sincere responses are the pre- requisites for this test. SGAI scores may depend upon child’s environmental stimulus and motivation level.

[b]TRAINING PROGRAMMES[/b]

The option of using the CBSE SGI rests with the schools, however for those interested, the board will conduct training workshops to familiarize the principals and teachers with this new concept as well as its administration. These principals, teachers and counselors will in turn advocate and educate students and parents about the CBSE SGAI. Since it is not feasible to cover all schools in one go, the training workshops will be conducted in a phased manner. The details of the training programs along with the dates and venues will be intimated in due course of time.

[b]ENROLMENT FOR CBSE SGAI[/b]

The CBSE SGAI will be offered to those interested at a very nominal fee of Rs.100 (one hundred) per student only. The first ever CBSE Students Global Aptitude Test will be held for class X students tentatively on 15th January 2011. The principals may assess the number of class X students who would be interested to enroll for this activity and thereafter register online on the CBSE website www.cbse.nic.in The fee may be sent via Demand Draft payable at Delhi in the name of Secretary ,CBSE. The conformation may be sent by15 th October 2010 positively to:

[b]Rama Sharma PRO & Project Incharge Central Board of Secondary Education Shiksha Kendra, 2, Community Centre, Preet Vihar,Delhi-92 Email- rs.cbse@gmail.comTele Fax- 011-22440083[/b]

ONLINE REGISTRATION - [url=http://www.cbserod.net.in/exmnr/sgai.aspx][b]Click here[/b][/url]