HRD Ministry to Develop Aptitude Test to Assess Student’s Interest

The Human Resource Development Ministry is on its’ way to develop an aptitude test that will help students assess their areas of interest to choose and pursue the right courses.

A task force comprising of officials from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and psychometric experts for developing a “prototype” of this proposed assessment test has been formed by the ministry. The team is currently working on creating the items and content for a test for Class 9 students.

In a meeting of senior HRD Ministry officials last month, Secretary (School Education and Literacy) S C Khuntia is learnt to have reviewed preparations for the aptitude test. The sources said that the exercise is right now in “preliminary” stages and the general thinking is that this test will be optional in nature and would be an additional tool available to students for making the right choice.

The Smriti Irani-led ministry is, however, also examining the possibility of providing certificates to students after the test.

When contacted, CBSE spokesperson Rama Sharma said that CBSE has conducted aptitude assessment exercises in the past. “These tests should only be seen as an indicator to help the students and parents in making an informed choice,” she said. It is learnt that the HRD Ministry is deliberating on several ideas related to improving the school education in the country in conjunction with state governments. Among the ideas deliberated upon in the meeting last month was the possibility of creating a separate cadre of principals and headmasters for better management of schools.

(With inputs from PTI)

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