CBSE Board Exams 2024-25: Focus on Applying Knowledge with New Exam Pattern

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant shift in the question paper format for Class 11 and 12 board exams starting from the academic year 2024-25. This change aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on competency-based learning.

The new exam pattern will prioritize assessing students’ ability to apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Around 50% of the questions will be designed to test this practical understanding, moving away from a heavy reliance on rote memorization. Additionally, the overall number of questions will be reduced by 10% compared to previous years.

To accommodate the new focus, the weightage of long answer and short answer questions has been reduced from 40% to 30%, making space for more application-based formats. This revamp aims to encourage students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will be essential for success in the 21st century.

“The main thrust of the Board is to create an educational ecosystem that moves away from rote learning,” said Joseph Emmanuel, Director, CBSE. “We want to develop the creative and thinking abilities of students to meet the challenges of the future.”

It’s important to note that the exam format for Class 9 and 10 will remain unchanged to ensure consistency across grades. This revamped paper pattern for Class 11 and 12 signals a move towards a more well-rounded education system that equips students with not only knowledge but also the ability to apply it effectively.