Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025: My Key Insights from CNBC Awaaz Panel on Exam Stress & Student Success

Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025: My Key Insights from CNBC Awaaz Panel on Exam Stress & Student Success

The stress of exams is a pressing concern for students, parents, and educators alike. As part of CNBC Awaaz’s panel discussion on Pariksha Pe Charcha, I had the opportunity to share insights on how we can transform the examination system to better support students while maintaining academic rigor. Exam stress management is essential for student success.

1. Shifting from Exam Pressure to Exam Readiness

One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the need to move away from the pressure-cooker model of exams. Many students experience heightened anxiety due to societal expectations, fear of failure, and an overemphasis on rote learning. To combat this, CBSE and other boards are gradually integrating competency-based learning, which emphasizes understanding over memorization. CBSE exam reforms are focusing on skill-based learning rather than rote methods.

2. Role of Parents & Teachers in Stress Management

Exams are not just an academic challenge but also a psychological one. Parents and teachers play a crucial role in creating a positive and motivating environment. Encouraging students to focus on consistent learning rather than last-minute cramming can help them approach exams with confidence rather than fear.

Key Strategies Discussed:

• Encouraging healthy study habits and time management to reduce exam anxiety.

• Schools offering stress management workshops and mentorship programs.

• Parents shifting focus from marks to overall learning and skill development to align with National Education Policy 2020 objectives.

3. Technology & AI in Exam Preparation

With the rapid advancement of AI-driven tools, personalized learning is now more accessible than ever. Platforms leveraging adaptive learning algorithms help students identify their weak areas and provide targeted practice. AI-powered tutors and revision tools can revolutionize how students prepare for exams, making learning more engaging and less stressful. AI in education is shaping the future of student success.

4. CBSE & NEP 2020: A Step Towards Holistic Assessments

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced major reforms to make exams more application-based and skill-oriented. Instead of focusing solely on written tests, CBSE is shifting towards multiple assessment strategies, including:

• Open-book assessments to test conceptual understanding, a key NEP 2020 assessment change.

• Project-based evaluations to encourage creativity and problem-solving, reinforcing holistic assessment methods.

• More weightage to continuous assessments rather than one final exam, which supports competency-based learning.

5. The Importance of Mental Well-being

One of the biggest concerns highlighted was the impact of exams on students' mental health. Schools must incorporate counseling programs, peer support groups, and relaxation techniques like mindfulness and meditation to help students cope with stress effectively. Mindfulness for students has proven benefits in improving focus and reducing exam-related anxiety. A happy student is a successful student.

Making Exams a Positive Learning Experience

Exams should be viewed as a learning checkpoint rather than a life-altering event. By focusing on skill-based learning, leveraging education technology for exams, and fostering an emotionally supportive environment, we can ensure that students are mentally and academically prepared for their future.

Join the Conversation!

I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can reduce exam stress while maintaining academic excellence. What strategies do you think will work best in our education system? Share your views in the comments or reach out to continue the discussion!views in the comments or reach out to continue the discussion!

🔗 Watch my CNBC Awaaz discussion

on Pariksha Pe Charchahere:https://youtu.be/Tm0fK4CNq5c?si=vKB6LYE7ZSNASdhY

How can schools reduce exam stress without lowering academic expectations?

Reducing exam stress does not mean making assessment meaningless. The better goal is to replace uncertainty and panic with readiness. Students cope better when expectations are clear, preparation is distributed over time, feedback arrives early enough to use, and adults communicate that an examination is important without treating it as a verdict on the child’s worth.

Build exam readiness before exam season

Schools can reduce avoidable pressure through predictable assessment calendars, regular low-stakes practice, revision guidance, opportunities to correct misconceptions, and mock or practice tasks that resemble the demands students will face. When preparation is part of the learning cycle, the final examination becomes less mysterious and last-minute cramming becomes less necessary.

What parents can change at home

Parents can help by replacing comparison with planning. Instead of repeatedly asking about marks, ask what the child is revising, what feels difficult and what support is useful. Protecting sleep, routine, meals, movement and quiet study time is often more helpful than adding another lecture about performance. Calm adult behaviour also gives children a more stable emotional environment during demanding periods.

What teachers and leaders should watch for

Teachers should notice when ordinary academic challenge is turning into visible overload and ensure that students know where to seek support. Leaders should review whether the school itself is creating unnecessary pressure through clustered tests, conflicting deadlines or unclear communication. Where a student needs additional emotional or professional support, the school should connect the family with the appropriate counsellor or support system.

The leadership responsibility

Exam wellbeing is partly a student issue, but it is also a design issue. Assessment schedules, communication practices, teacher expectations and the school’s language around success all influence how students experience examination periods. Good leadership therefore treats readiness, rigour and wellbeing as connected responsibilities.