Background: Accurate assessment of clinical skills is essential in nursing education. Traditional practical examinations are often criticized for subjectivity and lack of standardization, whereas the Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) offers a more structured and objective approach.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of OSPE with traditional practical examination in assessing the performance of undergraduate nursing students in Child Health Nursing.

Methods: A comparative study was conducted among 30 undergraduate nursing students at Narayan Nursing College Jamuhar Rohtas Bihar. Students were evaluated using both traditional practical examination and OSPE. OSPE consisted of multiple stations with standardized checklists to assess specific clinical competencies. Data were analysed using chi square statistical test, and simple t – test significance was considered at t < 2.72

Results: The mean score of students in OSPE 17.8 was higher than in the traditional practical examination 16.1. The difference was found to be statistically significant (. OSPE demonstrated improved objectivity, better skill-based assessment, and minimized examiner bias compared to traditional methods.

Conclusion: OSPE is a more reliable and valid assessment tool than traditional practical examinations. Integration of OSPE into nursing education is recommended to improve assessment quality and student performance.