CBSE 10th Social Science Exam Review: Check Paper Analysis based on teachers' & students' feedback

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 10 Social Science exam on Tuesday, 25 February 2025. The examination started at 10:30 AM and concluded at 1:30 PM. A total of 24,12,072 students appeared for the exam across 7,842 centres in India. Students were required to carry their admit cards and school IDs to the exam centres, where security measures such as CCTV surveillance were in place to prevent any malpractices.

Student Reactions and Feedback

Many students found the Class 10 Social Science board exam to be fair and easy to attempt, especially for those who studied the NCERT textbook well. The History and Political Science questions were simple, making it easy to answer. However, some students felt that the Geography and Economics MCQs were tricky and needed both memory and thinking skills.

The map work was simple, and students were happy that there were no tough or unusual questions. Overall, those who focused on understanding the topics rather than just memorising felt confident about their performance.

Teachers’ and Experts’ Analysis

The Class 10 Social Science board exam was moderate in difficulty, with a well-structured question paper. According to Pratibha Shinghal, Social Science Teacher at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru, the exam covered nearly 90% of the syllabus, with no questions beyond the prescribed curriculum. She said, “The paper did not include high-order thinking or competency-based questions. Students who approached it with focus and a clear understanding of the questions should be able to score above 71 out of 80 without much difficulty."

Vidhi Sharma, Educator at Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, said that the class 10 Social Science Board Exam remained largely NCERT-based, reinforcing the importance of conceptual clarity and thorough preparation. With direct and straightforward questions in History and Political Science, students who had studied diligently from the textbook found the exam manageable. Geography and Economics MCQs required a mix of recall and critical thinking, challenging students to apply their understanding. The subjective section aligned closely with the syllabus, ensuring that those with a strong grasp of key concepts could confidently attempt all questions. Map work was simple, offering a sense of ease amid the exam.

“Overall, this year’s paper emphasised that success lies in a deep understanding of NCERT content rather than rote memorisation. Students who had engaged actively with the syllabus and practised application-based questions were well-equipped to perform well. The exam served as a reminder that mastering fundamentals is the key to excelling in board assessments," she further added.

Rishikesh Jha, SME, Social Science at Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools, said that the exam was balanced in terms of difficulty level, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding without feeling overwhelmed. It was not an excessively lengthy paper. The paper featured a diverse range of question types, including map-based questions, case studies, and analytical problems, promoting application-based learning specially in Section A- Multiple Choice Questions and Section D- Long Answer Type Questions, which encouraged students to think critically and apply their conceptual knowledge.

Section-wise Difficulty Level Analysis:

The question paper was well-balanced and effectively assessed student’s knowledge and understanding of key Social Science concepts while also fostering analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. It was structured in a way that benefitted all level of learners, making it a fair and student-friendly assessment.

Download CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper Here

Social Science Exam Structure and Pattern

The Social Science paper was worth 80 marks, with an additional 20 marks allocated for internal assessment. The paper consisted of different types of questions, including multiple-choice, short-answer, long-answer, and case-based questions. There was also a map-based question carrying five marks.

The paper was structured into six sections. The first section contained multiple-choice questions, while the later sections included very short, short, and long-answer questions, along with case-based and map-based questions. The distribution of marks ensured that students needed to demonstrate a balanced understanding of historical events, political systems, geography, and economic principles.

Passing Criteria

As per CBSE guidelines, students must score a minimum of 33% in aggregate to pass. They are also required to secure 33% separately in both the theory and internal assessment to qualify for promotion.