What is SAFAL?

SAFAL is short for Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning. It is a competency-based assessment of Grades 3,5 and 8. These assessments are designed to test understanding of core concepts, higher-order thinking skills and ability to apply learning to real-life situations. In the short term, SAFAL seeks to collect data on various learning outcomes to provide schools with feedback to improve?the teaching-learning process and guide schools towards achieving these outcomes. The larger goal is to shift our education system’s focus from rote-oriented learning towards competency-based learning.?

The SAFAL handbook lists following objectives of SAFAL:

• To shift the education system towards competency-based learning
• To measure school performance on key competencies; and
• To identify areas that need intervention

SAFAL applies to all CBSE-affiliated public and private schools.? The schools are required to upload the data on the SAFAL portal. The CBSE notifies of the dates for assessments which are typically held in July.?

What subjects will it test and how?

SAFAL will assess competencies in selected subjects. For grade 3, it will assess core competencies in Language and Mathematics through constructed response, which?means students are required to write answers. For grade 5, Language, EVS and Mathematics will be assessed through multiple-choice questions.? Grade 8 students will be tested on Language, Science and Mathematics through multiple-choice questions.? ?

Assessment Scores Schools upload assessment data on the SAFAL portal and receive a performance report on competency and proficiency levels. The report also identifies areas where the school needs to focus to attain learning levels and guides them to improve their performance. ? The competency reports are kept confidential. They are only shared with the school, meaning schools are not aware of each other performance.? ?