The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2024 is scheduled to take place on December 4, 2024, marking an important event in India’s education system. This nationwide survey will evaluate the learning outcomes of school students and provide a comprehensive snapshot of academic progress across the country. In this edition, the survey is set to assess around five million students from Classes 3, 6, and 9, a significant increase from the 3.7 million students evaluated in the previous survey conducted in 2021.
Survey Coverage
The NAS 2024 will cover students from 792 districts spread across 36 States and Union Territories. The survey will target three crucial levels of education—Class 3, Class 6, and Class 9—which represent key milestones in a student’s educational journey, transitioning from foundational learning to more advanced concepts. These grades provide a clear insight into how well students are grasping core subjects as they progress to higher levels of learning.
A distinctive feature of NAS 2024 is its inclusivity. The survey will be conducted in 26 languages, allowing students from various linguistic backgrounds to participate. Notably, six new languages—Kashmiri, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri—have been added to the existing 20 languages used in previous surveys, further enhancing the diversity of the assessment.
Assessment Methodology
To ensure fair representation, the NAS will employ random sampling to select the schools and students that will participate. Each grade level will have a tailored set of questions designed to test their understanding in various subjects:
- Class 3 students will answer 45 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in subjects like language, mathematics, and environmental science. They will have 90 minutes to complete the test.
- Class 6 students will tackle 51 MCQs, focusing on the same subjects but with a greater degree of difficulty to match their academic level.
- Class 9 students will face 60 MCQs, which will assess their knowledge of subjects learned in Classes 6 to 8. They will have 120 minutes to finish the test.
Competency-Based Assessment
The NAS uses a competency-based assessment model, which goes beyond testing rote memorization. It evaluates not only what students know but also how well they can apply that knowledge to real-world situations. This approach ensures a deeper understanding of students’ competencies in practical applications, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Additionally, the survey will consider external factors that might impact students’ performance, such as the learning environment and socio-economic conditions. The results will be presented in the form of district-level report cards, offering granular insights into the performance of students in different regions, thereby allowing for more targeted interventions to improve education quality.
Trends and Expectations
Past NAS surveys have highlighted the challenge of declining student performance as they advance through school, especially from Class 3 to Class 10. This year’s survey is expected to shed light on how well students have recovered from the learning losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted education across the globe. The results, which are expected to be available by February 2025, will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of remedial measures taken since the pandemic and the overall health of India’s education system.
About the National Achievement Survey
The National Achievement Survey was first conducted in 2001 and is organized by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). Held every three years, the survey evaluates student performance in key subjects such as math, science, and language. It also takes into account the social and economic factors that affect learning outcomes, making it a holistic tool for assessing the state of education in India.
By including students from both urban and rural areas, NAS is one of the most comprehensive and extensive educational assessments conducted in the country. The data collected through NAS helps shape national education policies and informs efforts to improve teaching methods and curricula, ensuring that Indian students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
Summing Up
As India prepares for NAS 2024, the survey stands as a vital tool in assessing the quality of education and understanding the academic achievements of millions of students. By offering a detailed look at student performance, socio-economic conditions, and the effectiveness of current educational strategies, the National Achievement Survey plays a key role in shaping the future of learning in India.