Aptitude tests for Class 9 admission to Delhi's School of Specialised Excellence on May 26 and 27
Signalling yet again a phased shift towards the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Delhi government's Directorate of Education has provided detailed instructions for Class 9 students seeking entry into the Schools of Specialised Excellence (SOSEs) in the 2025-26 academic session.
This marks a departure from the Delhi Board of Secondary Education (DBSE) structure, which has been the foundation of SOSEs since their inception in 2021.
According to a circular, Class 9 admissions will be determined through aptitude tests that the directorate plans to conduct on May 26 and 27. The tests are tailored for different streams—STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and AFPS (Armed Forces Preparatory School) specialisations on the first day, and humanities, performing and visual arts (PVA), and HE21CS (High-end 21st century skills) on the second day.
The aptitude tests will assess a range of cognitive abilities pertinent to each specialisation. The STEM and AFPS aptitude test will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections: language & comprehension (20 questions), mental ability (20 questions), mathematics (30 questions), and science (30 questions). The duration of this test is three hours, with negative marking applicable for incorrect responses.
Similarly, the Humanities, PVA, and HE21CS aptitude tests will also be conducted over three hours, comprising 100 multiple-choice questions spread across five sections: reading comprehension & language ability (25 questions), logical and analytical reasoning (20 questions), quantitative aptitude and numerical ability (20 questions), social and emotional aptitude (15 questions), and creative and innovative thinking (20 questions). Negative marking will apply to this test as well.
Eligible students can download their admit cards from May 21 onwards from the directorate's website. According to the circular, detailed guidelines regarding exam centres and roll numbers, among other things, will be made available online.
The process requires students to log in using their registration ID and password on the SOSE admission portal, after which the admit cards can be accessed and printed.
The directorate has scheduled an online orientation session on May 23 at 11 am for all centre superintendents, heads of schools, and exam coordinators involved in the examination process.
Lead facilitators and heads of schools of designated test centres have been made responsible for the smooth conduct during test days.
This arrives amid widespread confusion and concern among students, parents, and educators. SOSEs were launched in 2021 under the DBSE to offer skill-based, specialised education aligned with the National Education Policy 2020.
However, the directorate recently announced that from this academic year, Class 9 students would transition to the CBSE curriculum, while Classes 10 to 12 would continue under DBSE for now.
A senior directorate official said detailed guidelines for Classes 10 to 12 would be released in due course but that for now, the focus was on conducting the Class 9 admission process efficiently under the CBSE structure.
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