CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam 2025: Date sheet expected soon, key changes to exam pattern every student must be aware of

CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam Date 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release the date sheet for the Class 10 and 12 board exams for 2025 in December. Students eagerly awaiting the schedule can download the official timetable from the CBSE website (cbse.gov.in) as soon as it is published. Notably, the board had earlier confirmed that the exams will begin on February 15, 2025, leaving students with only a few months to prepare for what is one of the most important academic milestones in their schooling journey.

Key Changes to the CBSE Exam Pattern 2025
For the 2025 exams, CBSE has introduced important changes to the question paper format, aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These changes reflect a growing shift toward competency-based learning, aiming to test students' practical application of knowledge rather than relying on rote memorization .

Shift Towards Competency-Based Questions
One of the most notable changes is the increased focus on competency-based questions, designed to assess students' ability to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. This means that students will encounter more questions that evaluate critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than just factual recall.

For Class 10, the format remains consistent with the previous academic session, with 50% of the questions being competency-based. However, for Class 12, there is a significant change: the proportion of competency-based questions will rise from 40% to 50% in 2025. These questions will come in various forms, including Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), case-based questions, and source-based integrated questions. Students should adjust their preparation strategies accordingly, focusing on understanding concepts deeply and practicing problem-solving techniques.

Reduced Emphasis on Rote Memorization
CBSE's revised format for 2025 also emphasizes a reduction in the weightage given to rote memorization. The changes aim to encourage students to move beyond mere memorization of facts and towards a deeper understanding of the subject matter. As a result, the number of constructed response questions, such as short answer and long answer questions, will see a slight reduction in both Class 10 and Class 12 exams.

What students can expect in the upcoming CBSE Board exam 2025 :
Here is a breakdown of the question paper composition for both Class 10 and Class 12 for the academic year 2024-25-

• Class 10: The percentage of competency-based questions will remain at 50%, continuing the pattern from the previous academic year (2023-24).
• Class 12: The percentage of competency-based questions will increase from 40% in 2023-24 to 50% in 2024-25.

This change marks a significant shift, especially for Class 12 students who must adapt to a higher volume of application-based questions.