To excel in a subject, a thorough conceptual understanding goes a long way. Students’ competence can be measured accurately by testing their micro and macro level understanding of the subject. Nalanda established a system to assess these capabilities at regular intervals through the semester system, introduced in the academic year 2008-2009. It divides the curriculum into two halves, and the tests judge the students’ assimilation of the concepts at both the grass-root and the bird’s eye view level.

Traditional Rubrics

Nalanda's Rubrics

Primary

There are three ‘Evaluations’ per year in Primary for classes I to V. Evaluation 1, Evaluation 2, Evaluation 3 The three evaluations are conducted to asses the performance of the students. They are conducted at 3 regular intervals of the whole academic year.The syllabus is divided for the 3 assessments and scheduled at the start of academic year. This division of syllabus for assessments help the teachers to point on the subject where the student is poor.

Secondary

From Classes VI to X (State & CBSE) two semesters divide the entire syllabus into two equal parts. Each of the two semesters consist of two assessments, replacing the system of Mid-Term Test and the Final Exam. The syllabus is divided in a way that the topics that are relevant to the next academic year are scheduled for the second semester. The first and second semesters end in November and in April respectively, and the grades also include assignments given during the semester and overall session performance. The main objective is to systematically consolidate what has been learnt, while relieving the stress that was earlier associated with the end of the academic year.

Question paper system

Even the testing pattern is unique at Nalanda VidyaNiketan. We have successfully overcome the rote learning teaching method problem by testing our students in their applicative skills. The student is tested on how much he can apply his knowledge to his daily life and how far he is able to implement. Starting from class III, Part II/Section II in every question paper is designed to test the application skills of the students. By this we get to know and analyse the analytical skills of the child and provide required additional inputs as and when required.

We at NVN overcome the South Indian Syndrome of marks only criteria by testing the students in various ways including applicative , analytical presentation and problem solving skills. Hence, it is not just marks but the overall conceptual understanding of the student that plays a major role at NVN.