The Uttarakhand Board of School Education is preparing to introduce a significant change in this year’s board examinations. The board will now include 20% Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions in every subject of Class 10 and Class 12. The move aims to assess students’ analytical and reasoning abilities rather than memorised responses. Preparations for this change have already begun at the board level.
Officials said the decision has been taken to improve the overall standard of education and align the board with modern learning requirements. With the addition of HOTS questions, examiners will be able to evaluate whether a student has genuinely understood the concept or has simply relied on rote learning.
What are Higher-Order Thinking Skills?
HOTS questions test a student’s ability to analyse, evaluate and create. Instead of focusing on memorisation, they encourage students to apply concepts, interpret information, draw connections, and solve problems. These skills help learners use their knowledge in real situations, making learning more effective and practical.
Useful for Competitive Exams
According to board officials, the inclusion of HOTS questions will help students in future competitive examinations and higher education. Such questions are expected to strengthen conceptual understanding and improve problem-solving skills, giving Uttarakhand students an edge in upcoming exams.
Uttarakhand Board’s Additional Secretary Brijmohan Rawat said that 20% HOTS questions will be included in both high school and intermediate question papers, and preparations for the new pattern are underway.
