Fourth Edition of CBSE Student’s Global Aptitude Index (SGAI)

After three consecutive successful years of Student’s Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) Board is 

happy to announce its Fourth Edition. The enthusiastic participation of schools in SGAI from 

different parts of the country and abroad is sincerely appreciated. Around 4, 00,000 students 

have so far opted for CBSE-SGAI in the last three years worldwide. It is worth mentioning that in 

addition to CBSE schools, the Himachal Board of Higher Education also introduced CBSE SGAI 

for its students of Class X. The sustained strength of participation of schools in SGAI not only 

signifies its usefulness but also highlights the need for such initiatives in our country. A survey of 

CBSE schools revealed that out of those which responded, 88 per cent relied on CBSE SGAI for 

aptitude testing. 

As per the feedbacks received on CBSE SGAI, many schools and members of public have 

strongly suggested that CBSE should make this assessment mandatory. Notwithstanding the 

suggestions, I still feel that it should remain an optional activity. Schools and students should 

themselves feel the importance of such a facility and come forward to register. As such, the larger 

motive of SGAI is to initiate a dialogue on the decision making of academic choices among various 

stakeholders besides empowering a student which becomes more significant in Indian context 

where subject choices of a student are very often dictated by parents’ expectations, peer pressure, 

social prestige and many other external factors. 

For the benefit of new entrants in CBSE fraternity of affiliated schools, I would like to 

reiterate that although aptitude testing is not a new concept in developed world; in India CBSE is 

the first Board of Education to conduct an aptitude assessment in the form of SGAI. Developed as 

an indigenous assessment tool by a renowned team of field experts, SGAI is customized to suit the 

Indian context and above all, the variety of student population in CBSE affiliated Private, 

Government and Aided Schools. SGAI reiterates the fact that each individual is unique in terms of 

aptitude, interest and motivation. The format and details of assessment are available on CBSE 

website.

So far, SGAI advocacy was limited to participant schools and class X students. However, it 

is the considered opinion that Aptitude testing should be made an integral part of school system 

and to make it more inclusive, the sensitization and advocacy of SGAI should start in class IX 

itself for the parents and students. In the past Board has arranged a number of SGAI orientation 

programmes in schools and trained more than a thousand strong school counsellors and 

teachers. For the purpose of facilitation, this year also, the advocacy material has been prepared 

in the form of Power Point Presentation, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Teacher’s Manual of 

Activities and Posterswhich will be sent to each school via e-mail.

I hope and anticipate that all the schools will make full use of this material and share this 

with the counsellors or designated teachers who in turn can take this activity forward with 

students and parents during the PTM’s for Class IX and X.

The response to SGAI held In January 2013 has been very encouraging especially with regard 

to the comprehensive assessment reports generated for the first time. As mentioned earlier also, 

the Board is making constant effort to make SGAI assessment more and more valuable. 

Consequently, a few important changes have been made in the Fourth edition of SGAI which I 

would like to share:-

1. The Fourth edition of SGAI will be held in the month of November 2013 instead of January 

2014. The purpose behind this rescheduling is to provide students their assessment reports well 

ahead of their entry into class XI. 

2. No separate registration for SGAI will be done this year.

3.The registration process for the SGAI has also been changed to avoid multiplicity and 

duplication for schools.

4.The SGAI registration has been clubbed with the Online List Of Candidates (LOC) of Class X 

students for academic session 2013-14. Schools may register students for SGAI on payment of 

100 per student. 

5.The schools have the option to register students for SGAI Fourth edition till 30th September 

2013 but not later than 15th October 2013.There is no late fee for SGAI. 

6.The detailed information regarding this is separately available on CBSE website