CBSE 10th Board Exam 2025: Major changes you need to know and expert tips to ace the new exam pattern

CBSE 2025 Board Exams: Expert Tips to Revise Your Strategy

The education system is constantly evolving, and the CBSE Class 10 Board exams are no exception. As the 2024-25 academic year unfolds, students are preparing for a new assessment structure. With the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) consistently working toward a more comprehensive approach to education, the upcoming changes emphasize a deeper understanding of concepts rather than rote learning. This shift will have a profound impact on how students approach their studies, making it crucial for them to adapt their preparation strategies accordingly.

The most notable changes for the 2025 exam revolve around the assessment structure. CBSE has increased the weightage of competency-based questions from 40% to 50%, focusing on the application of concepts in real-world scenarios. Simultaneously, the weightage for constructed response questions has been reduced from 40% to 30%, underscoring CBSE's emphasis on analytical skills and problem-solving abilities over rote memorization. These changes reflect CBSE's efforts to shift students' focus from merely memorizing textbook material to developing deeper critical thinking skills.

The shift towards competency-based questions and the reduction in constructed response questions mean that students will need to rethink their study approaches. Instead of relying on rote memorization, students must focus on understanding fundamental concepts and honing their analytical and problem-solving skills. This will require practicing application-based problems and preparing for case studies.

Students may need to reallocate their study time, spending less on memorizing theoretical answers and more on practicing objective questions and solving case studies. Additionally, they should embrace integrated learning across subjects, recognizing how different concepts connect and preparing to apply this knowledge in exams.

• Practice More Competency: Focused Questions: Incorporate practice papers with competency-based questions into your daily study routine. These questions demand logical thinking and problem-solving, so regular practice will help build these essential skills over time.
• Engage in Active Learning: Passive reading of textbooks will no longer suffice. Students need to engage in active learning, which involves asking questions, solving problems, and applying concepts in practical situations. Group discussions, peer teaching, or using online resources that offer interactive learning experiences can all contribute to active learning.
• Utilize Sample Papers and Mock Tests: CBSE releases sample papers that reflect the latest exam pattern, and students should take full advantage of these resources. Mock tests simulate the exam environment and help assess strengths and weaknesses. Timing yourself during these tests will improve time management skills, crucial for handling competency-based questions under exam conditions.
• Seek Guidance from Teachers and Mentors: Don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers and mentors for clarification on complex topics. Teachers can offer valuable insights into how competency-based questions might be framed and provide tips on how to approach them.
• Develop Critical Thinking: Critical thinking is vital for solving competency-based questions. Focus on improving your critical thinking skills by reading beyond textbooks, exploring current affairs, and understanding how theoretical knowledge can be applied in real-world scenarios.

By focusing on understanding concepts, practicing application-based questions, and refining problem-solving skills, students can successfully navigate these changes and perform well in their board exams. Adapt your strategy, stay consistent, and make the most of the resources available to you to excel in this new and challenging exam structure.

This article was contributed by Anil Kapasi, Managing Director of Arihant Academy