In line with reforms under the National Education Policy 2020, the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Education Board (UP Board) is set to revamp the pattern of English question papers for unit tests, half-yearly, and annual exams in its affiliated secondary schools. The move aims to shift focus from rote and fact-based learning to a more comprehensive assessment of students’ cognitive and emotional abilities.Under the new system, question papers will no longer be limited to textbook-based knowledge. They will be designed to evaluate higher-order thinking skills, ensuring students develop analytical and critical reasoning capabilities.To implement the change, a three-day training programme for 50 teachers from districts under the board’s five regional offices began on Monday at the English Language Teaching Institute (ELTI), Uttar Pradesh, in Prayagraj. The training zeroes in on a solid plan for crafting question papers.ELTI principal Skand Shukla explained that the blueprint will serve as a detailed framework or table guiding the preparation of question papers. It will ensure a balanced distribution of questions that cover all key aspects of the syllabus, vary in difficulty, and address learning objectives such as knowledge, understanding, and skills. The model blueprint will also define the types of questions—objective, short-answer, and descriptive—and the marks allocated to each unit.Officials said the initiative would help students move away from traditional memorisation methods and encourage critical thinking, holistic development, and competency-based learning.In line with NEP objectives, an independent unit, ‘PARAKH’, was established under the National Council of Educational Research and Training to standardise assessment practices. A workshop in this regard was held in Prayagraj in July 2025, followed by further sessions in New Delhi to support the transition.
