The 5+3+3+4 education system, introduced by NEP 2020, restructures the academic phases better to suit children’s cognitive and developmental stages. This system is designed to align with global standards and provide a more robust educational foundation.

Phases of the 5+3+3+4 Education System

• Foundational Stage (Ages 3-8): Focus on play-based and activity-based learning.
• Preparatory Stage (Ages 8-11): Introduction to formal education, emphasising reading, writing, and arithmetic.
• Middle Stage (Ages 11-14): Subject-oriented teaching with a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Secondary Stage (Ages 14-18): Multidisciplinary studies, subject choice flexibility, and higher education preparation.

Difference Between 10+2 and 5+3+3+4 Education System

The 10+2 system heavily relied on examination-focused assessment methods, often limiting the scope of student evaluation to rote memorisation and standard tests. The 5+3+3+4 system promotes a more holistic approach, emphasising continuous and comprehensive evaluation. This shift aims to measure a student’s overall development, including skills, values, and personality traits, rather than just academic achievements.

PARAKH plays a crucial role in setting benchmarks and standards for student evaluation, tracking educational progress, and supporting school boards in aligning with NEP 2020 assessment practices. It facilitates competency-based assessments and offers practice tests via a student app to enhance learning outcomes. Additionally, PARAKH works in collaboration with the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure that standardised testing methods are implemented effectively across the country, enhancing transparency, fairness, and accessibility in the evaluation process.

What is the National Testing Agency (NTA)?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) organises standardised entrance exams across India, enhancing transparency, fairness, and accessibility. It plays a vital role in ensuring that the examination process is reliable and consistent nationwide.

The new NEP reforms aim to transform secondary exams, board exams, and entrance exams by offering more subject choices, allowing best-of-two attempts for improvement, and focusing on core competencies. The introduction of dual-format question papers and exams in grades 3, 5, and 8 aims to monitor learning progress throughout the year.

Changes in Examinations from Grade 1 to 8

Key stage assessments at grades 3, 5, and 8 track student achievement and ensure mastery of critical learning outcomes. NEP 2020 shifts from rote learning to assessing core concepts, higher-order skills, and their practical application.

Key Changes Implemented:

• Formative Assessments: Continuous assessments throughout the academic year to monitor student progress.
• Holistic Report Cards: Inclusion of cognitive, emotional, and physical development metrics.
• Practical Application: Emphasis on real-life application of learned concepts through projects and hands-on activities.
• Skill-Based Evaluations: Assessments that test critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills.

Changes in Examinations from Grade 9 to 12

The grades 9 to 12 examination structure has been revamped to focus more on analytical and critical thinking skills. Students are given the flexibility to choose subjects that align with their career goals, and the evaluation methods are designed to test their understanding and application of knowledge.

Key Changes Implemented:

• Choice-Based Credit System: Students can select courses based on their interests and career aspirations.
• Competency-Based Questions: Exams test higher-order thinking skills rather than rote memorisation.
• Multiple Assessment Methods: Use various evaluation methods such as projects, oral exams, and practicals to gauge comprehensive understanding.
• Subject Flexibility: Increased subject choices and the possibility of cross-disciplinary learning to encourage a broader educational perspective.
• Reduced Exam Stress: Introduction of flexible exam formats and multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their knowledge, reducing the high stakes traditionally associated with board exams.

Support for Gifted Students and Students with Special Talent

NEP 2020 aims to discover, develop, and empower gifted students through its advocacy programs. The policy’s initiatives focus on identifying and supporting untapped potentials among gifted students, fostering their holistic development.

Changes in the Nature of the Report Cards

The new report cards provide a 360-degree view of each learner’s development across affective, cognitive, and psychomotor domains. They include teacher evaluations, project-based learning assessments, peer and self-assessments, and more, ensuring a comprehensive overview of student progress.

Implementation of New Exam Pattern as per NEP 2020

Implementing the new exam pattern involves training paper setters and moderators, developing competency-based question banks, and creating assessment patterns for state census exams. States/UTs are developing IT-based tracking systems to monitor learner progress and compartment exams are being renamed and strengthened as “Improvement exams.”

LEAD Partner Schools are already in sync with NEP 2020 Exams and Assessment Reforms, ensuring students receive a modern and comprehensive education. Here’s how LEAD Group aligns with the new education and exam patterns:

Targeting Learning Outcomes and Competency

Our assessments are designed to target specific learning outcomes and competencies. We encourage schools to include values such as sharing, a growth mindset, and respect in their report cards, ensuring a holistic evaluation of student development.

Access to Mock Papers

Students are provided objective and subjective mock papers for board exams, complete with detailed solutions. This preparation helps students understand the exam format and improves their performance in board exams.

Digital Assessments

Thanks to the Practice Tests available on the Student App, LEAD Partner Schools utilise digital assessments. This exposure to digital tools prepares students for modern examination methods and enhances their technical skills.

Higher Order Thinking Skills

In grades 9 and 10, we focus on developing higher-order thinking skills, preparing students for advanced studies and real-world problem-solving. This approach aligns with NEP 2020’s critical thinking and analytical skills emphasis.

Internationally Benchmarked Pedagogy

LEAD Group implements internationally benchmarked pedagogy, ensuring our students receive a quality education meeting global standards. This prepares them to compete and succeed internationally.

Activity-Based Learning Kits

We provide kits focusing on activity-based learning, making education more engaging and effective. These kits help students understand complex concepts through hands-on activities and practical applications.

Multimodal Classrooms

Our classrooms are multimodal, incorporating various teaching methods and tools to cater to different learning styles. This approach ensures all students can engage with the material and achieve their full potential.