<red> April 5th, 2024 <red>

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On April 5th, 2024, CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) released the exam pattern for the 2025 exam session. The changes have been aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The practical and competency-based learning for students will help in reducing emphasis on rote learning. The evaluations based on competency-based exam patterns will help in improving critical and problem-solving skills.

Key Changes in the 2025 Board Exam Pattern

Competency-based questions increased to 50%
Includes 20% multiple-choice questions
Less emphasis on long question-answers

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CBSE 2024 Exam Pattern: Major Changes

Higher Emphasis on Competency-Based Questions: The new format gives competency-based questions more weight. In the examinations, these questions will make up 50% of the overall score. They will assess a student's capacity to use what they have learned in practical situations. Case studies, source-based integrated questions, and other types asking students to evaluate facts, analyse data, and suggest solutions may be used in this.
Focusing on multiple-choice questions (MCQs): MCQs will remain 20% of the exam weight. These examinations measure how well students grasp basic ideas and how well they can remember important details.
Less Emphasis on Short/Long Questions: The classic constructed response questions, such as those requiring long and short answers, are given less weight in the new format. Their percentage of the final score has dropped from 40% to 30%. They will still be included in the examinations, but competency-based questions will have a higher weight.

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CBSE 2024 Exam Pattern vs CBSE 2025 Exam Pattern

This is an analysis of the revised board exam and year-end exam format with the prior year. Note that these changes are done for Classes 11 and 12. For students in Classes 9 and 10, the examination format is still the same.

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(Classes IX-X) (No Changes)
Particulars	2023-24	2024-25
Board Exam Pattern (Theory)	Competency-based Questions (MCQs, Case-based, Source-based, or other type) = 40%	Competency-based Questions (MCQs, Case-based, Source-based, or other type) = 50%
	Objective-type Qs = 20%	Objective-type Qs = 20%
	Constructed response Qs (Short or Long Qs) = 30%	Constructed response Qs (Short or Long Qs) = 30%

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(Classes XI-XII) (Changes)
Particulars	2023-24	2024-25
Board Exam Pattern (Theory)	Competency-based Questions (MCQs, Case-based, Source-based, or other type) = 40%	Competency-based Questions (MCQs, Case-based, Source-based, or other type) = 50%
	Objective-type Qs = 20%	Objective-type Qs = 20%
	Constructed response Qs (Short or Long Qs) = 40%	Constructed response Qs (Short or Long Qs) = 30%

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Recently, the CBSE introduced a new method for assessing students in Classes 11 and 12. This new approach is seen as a beneficial shift since it places more emphasis on understanding and practical skills.

In the long run, the change will improve students' critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, which are both essential for success in today's culture, even though some may first find it difficult. The changes made in the exam pattern are expected to bring an overall change in traditional learning.