Creating Competency-Based Question Papers: A Step-by-Step CBSE Teacher’s Manual
With the shift toward Competency-Based Education (CBE) under CBSE guidelines and NEP 2020, designing question papers is no longer just about testing memory. It’s about assessing how well students can apply, analyze, evaluate, and solve real-life problems using what they’ve learned.
This comprehensive step-by-step guide is designed to help CBSE teachers create high-quality, balanced, and NEP-aligned question papers that not only meet CBSE guidelines but also promote deeper learning and skill development.
🎯 What is Competency-Based Assessment?
Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) focuses on evaluating students’ ability to:
- Apply concepts to real-life situations
- Use critical thinking and problem-solving
- Interpret data, make decisions, or argue a point
- Communicate and collaborate effectively
Rather than asking “What is photosynthesis?”, we ask “How is photosynthesis important in maintaining food chains?”
🧩 Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Competency-Based Question Papers
✅ Step 1: Understand the Learning Outcomes
Start by analyzing the NCERT curriculum and CBSE-prescribed Learning Outcomes for the chapter. Focus on skills, concepts, and application-based understanding.
Example (Class 10 Science – Light):
Learning Outcome: Apply the laws of reflection to real-life examples.
✅ Step 2: Select the Typology of Questions
CBSE recommends including a mix of the following types:
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Assertion-Reason Questions (ARQs)
- Source/Case-Based Questions
- Short/Long Answer Type Competency-Based Questions
- Diagram/Map/Data Interpretation Tasks
🔹 Maintain a balance of Bloom’s levels: Remember → Understand → Apply → Analyze → Evaluate → Create
✅ Step 3: Create a Question Blueprint
Develop a chapter-wise blueprint. Include:
- Marks weightage per chapter
- Typology distribution (CBQ, HOTS, ARQ, etc.)
- Learning outcome alignment
- Bloom’s Taxonomy Level for each question
| Chapter | Question Type | Bloom’s Level | Marks | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Case-based | Apply | 4 | Conceptual Application |
| Life Processes | MCQ | Understand | 1 | Concept Recall |
| History | ARQ | Analyze | 2 | Cause-Effect |
✅ Step 4: Frame Competency-Based Questions
Here are some real CBSE-style examples:
🔹 Science (Class 10 – Acids, Bases and Salts)
Case-Based Question (4 Marks):
A farmer adds quicklime to his soil after harvest.
(a) Why does he do this?
(b) Identify the type of reaction.
(c) Suggest one alternative to quicklime.
💡 Skills Tested: Analysis, Application, Scientific Reasoning
🔹 Social Science (Class 10 – Resources and Development)
Map + Analysis (3 Marks):
A map shows areas of soil erosion in India. Identify these regions and explain two human activities contributing to this.
💡 Skills Tested: Data Interpretation, Geo-literacy
🔹 English (Class 9 – Letter Writing)
Competency Prompt (5 Marks):
Write a letter to the editor suggesting practical ways students can reduce water wastage at school.
💡 Skills Tested: Communication, Creativity, Practical Thinking
✅ Step 5: Add Internal Choice and Difficulty Balance
- Ensure internal choice in long-answer competency questions
- Distribute difficulty levels across Easy (30%), Medium (50%), Difficult (20%)
- Mix cognitive levels: Not all should be ‘remember’ or ‘HOTS’
✅ Step 6: Create a Clear and Student-Friendly Format
- Keep language simple and instructions clear
- Highlight marks and question number clearly
- Add supportive visuals or data sets for case questions
✅ Format it like CBSE sample papers with Section A, B, C…
✅ Mention the number of questions and total marks for each section
✅ Step 7: Review and Peer Validate
- Review for syllabus alignment, clarity, and competency level
- Get a peer teacher or academic coordinator to validate
- Run a quick student test run to assess time, clarity, and variety
📚 Additional Tools & Resources for CBSE Teachers
| Tool / Platform | Use |
|---|---|
| diagnosticassessment.in | Chapter-wise CBQs, ARQs, MCQs with explanations |
| School of Educators Templates | Editable Word formats for papers and rubrics |
| CBSE Academic Portal | Sample Papers and Question Bank Guidelines |
| Bloom’s Taxonomy Charts | Align question types with learning depth |
| Classroom.ai Tools | AI-generated CBQs based on topics |
📊 Sample CBQ Design Template
| Question No. | Type | Competency | Skill Tested | Marks | Bloom’s Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 | Case-Based | Data Interpretation | Analyze | 4 | Analyze |
| Q8 | ARQ | Conceptual Linking | Evaluate | 2 | Evaluate |
| Q12 | Creative Writing | Expression + Application | Create | 5 | Create |
🧠 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ All questions at ‘Remembering’ level
❌ No integration of data, source, or real-world context
❌ Overuse of subjective questions only
❌ Ignoring Bloom’s Taxonomy
❌ No internal choice in long questions
❌ Unclear instructions or poor formatting
🏁 Final Thoughts
Designing Competency-Based Question Papers is not just about checking knowledge—it’s about preparing students for life. These papers promote deeper understanding, critical skills, and creativity, which are essential in today’s world.
With a little planning, smart tools, and Bloom’s-based structure, your next CBSE paper can be a perfect blend of curriculum, creativity, and competency.
Responses