Archive · 16 Sep 2026
CISCE to Hold Optional Online Assessments for Three Classes
The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations will hold a new online test called Shine.
Students in Classes IV, VI and IX can take it between November 15 and 30.
Schools may join, but they do not have to join this year.
The test will ask children to think carefully and use what they learn in practical situations.
It is meant to prepare schools for more competency-based questions in later board examinations.
Schools can choose when their students take the test.
Students will receive information about what they do well and where they need help.
Teachers can use these reports to plan better support.
CISCE will conduct online Shine assessments for students in Classes IV, VI and IX from November 15 to 30.
The assessments will be open to all schools but will remain optional this year.
Shine is designed to evaluate curiosity, critical thinking and the application of learning to real-life situations.
Schools can choose their testing timetable, with different question sets available from a central question bank.
Student and school reports will identify strengths and learning gaps to guide academic support.
- Who
- The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, schools and students in Classes IV, VI and IX.
- What
- The council will conduct optional online Shine assessments focused on competency-based learning.
- When
- The assessments are scheduled for November 15 to 30; the year is not specified in the reports.
- Where
- At participating schools using the council’s online assessment system.
- Why
- To prepare schools and students for competency-based questions and help teachers identify learning strengths and areas needing support.
Competency-Based Preparation
Implementation and Scoring Concerns
Purpose of the assessments
Competency-Based Preparation
The assessments can help develop curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to apply knowledge, while preparing schools for more competency-based board questions.
Implementation and Scoring Concerns
Schools and students still need to consider marks-based admissions, so sudden major changes to board examinations could affect scores and create unrest.
Access and participation
Competency-Based Preparation
Opening Shine to all schools gives more students an opportunity to take part and receive detailed learning feedback.
Implementation and Scoring Concerns
The council kept participation optional because some schools may lack the internet connectivity or facilities needed to conduct the online assessment.
- Assessment name
- Shine, meaning Student Holistic Insight and Nurturing Evaluation
- Participating classes
- Classes IV, VI and IX
- Assessment period
- November 15 to 30
- Participation
- Open to all schools but optional this year
- Assessment focus
- Curiosity, critical thinking and applying learning to life
- Scheduling
- Schools may choose when to log in
- Reports
- Individual student and school reports will show strengths and areas requiring attention