The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced certain modifications in the Class 12 Exam Pattern for 2025, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This updated pattern focuses on competency-based learning, critical thinking, and application-oriented questions to enhance students’ analytical and problem-solving skills.
CBSE Class 12th Exam Pattern 2025 Overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen and Paper). |
| Duration | 3 hours for theory papers. |
| Maximum Marks | 100 marks (split into theory and practical/internal assessment). |
| Question Types | MCQs, short answer, long answer, competency-based, case-study-based. |
| Marking Scheme | Theory papers carry either 80 or 70 marks; 20 or 30 marks for practical/internal assessment. |
| Competency-Based Questions | Approximately 40% of the total questions. |
| Streams | Science, Commerce, Humanities. |
Exam Pattern 2025
- Total Marks: 100 (80 marks for theory + 20 marks for internal assessment/practical).
- Exam Duration: 3 hours.
- Question Paper Format: More weightage to competency-based questions, analytical and application-based questions.
- Subject-wise Distribution: Science, Commerce, and Arts streams follow distinct syllabus patterns.
- Grading System: CBSE follows a relative grading system, including both five-point and nine-point scales based on overall performance.
Grading System
CBSE follows a relative grading system, where students are awarded grades based on percentile ranks rather than absolute marks.
- Top 1/8th students in each subject receive A1 grades.
- Grades are awarded based on overall class performance, ensuring a fair distribution of marks.
Syllabus For Major Subjects
1. Science Stream
- Physics: Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, Modern Physics.
- Chemistry: Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium.
- Mathematics: Algebra, Calculus, Probability, Trigonometry, Matrices & Determinants.
- Biology: Genetics, Ecology, Biotechnology, Evolution, Human Physiology.
- Computer Science: Python programming, Database Management, Cyber Security.
2. Commerce Stream
- Accountancy: Financial Statements, Ratio Analysis, Cash Flow Statements.
- Business Studies: Principles of Management, Marketing, Business Environment.
- Economics: Micro & Macroeconomics, Indian Economic Development.
3. Arts/Humanities Stream
- History: Indian Freedom Struggle, Post-Independence India.
- Political Science: Constitution, Governance, International Relations.
- Psychology: Learning, Cognition, Mental Health, Counseling.
For the complete CBSE Class 12 syllabus 2025, students can check the official CBSE website: www.cbse.gov.in.
Internal Assessment & Practical Exams 2025
- Science subjects: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology have practical exams carrying 30 marks each.
- Commerce subjects: Accountancy, Economics, and Business Studies include project work worth 20 marks.
- Humanities subjects: History, Geography, and Political Science involve case studies, map work, and project work (20 marks).
- English & Other Languages: Internal assessment includes listening, speaking, and writing skills evaluation (20 marks).
CBSE Class 12 Exam Preparation Tips
- Understand the New Exam Pattern – Focus on case-based, competency-based, and MCQ-style questions.
- Prioritize Internal Assessments – Ensure good scores in projects, assignments, and practicals.
- Use NCERT Books – NCERT textbooks are the primary source for exam preparation.
- Solve Sample Papers – CBSE releases official sample papers to help students understand the question pattern.
- Time Management – Allocate time based on question weightage and difficulty level.
Conclusion
The CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2025 has introduced significant changes to promote conceptual clarity and competency-based learning. With increased weightage to MCQs, case-based questions, and practical assessments, students must focus on application-based learning rather than memorization. By understanding the updated grading system and subject-wise syllabus, students can strategically prepare for their board exams and secure high scores.
For the latest updates, students should regularly check the official CBSE website (www.cbse.gov.in).