CBSE-Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL) for Grades 3, 5 and 8 

The National Education Policy 2020 recommends that for the benefit of students, parents, teachers, principals, and the entire schooling system in planning improvements to schools and teaching-learning processes, all students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which would test achievement of basic learning outcomes, through assessment of core concepts along with relevant higherorder skills and application of knowledge in real-life situations, rather than rote memorization. 

In this context, CBSE launches Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL), a competency based assessment for Grades 3, 5 and 8 to assess the progress of foundational skills and basic learning outcomes/competencies among students. SAFAL, as a diagnostic assessment, will provide developmental feedback to schools and teachers to improve teaching-learning without additional examination pressure on students. It has been designed to help students, parents, and teachers to track learning progress throughout the school years and not just in Grades 10 and 12. SAFAL results will not be used in any manner by schools for promotion of students to the next grade. 

The key features of the assessment are outlined in the SAFAL video http://cbseacademic.nic.in/safal_video.html and the details of the assessment are illustrated in the SAFAL handbook http://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/Manuals/Safal_handbook.pdf 

SAFAL will be conducted on a pilot basis in CBSE schools for students in Grades 3, 5 and 8 during the academic year 2021-22, in key curricular areas of Language, Mathematics, and EVS/Science. CBSE invites affiliated schools to participate in SAFAL 2021-22. The details on the assessment and registration for SAFAL in will be released on CBSE website in due course of time. Your active participation in SAFAL is required to give an impetus to transform education to be competency-based.