This paper presents the results of an experimental study on the behaviour and strength of the cold-formed steel shear wall panel (CFSSWP) with calcium silicate board as sheathing, when subjected to monotonically increasing and reversed cyclic in-plane shear deformation. These specimens were specifically designed to reach the strength as governed by the strength of the screw connection between the board and the CFS framing and avoid all other modes of failure, ahead of this. The main objectives of the experimental study are (a) to study the influence of board thicknesses and the distance of the screws from the nearest free edge of the board on the wall panel behaviour and strength; (b) to study the behaviour of different wall board configurations normally used in construction practice (c) to develop the values of the important parameters that determine the load-deformation behaviour of the wall panels under in-plane shear and (d) to determine the different limit states in the failure of the screws connecting the board and the CFS framing in such CFSSWP. In addition, a simplified design equation is proposed to evaluate the ultimate shear strength of CFSSWP based on the strength of the screw connection obtained from a sub assemblage shear strength test. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.