The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) commenced the Class 10 board examinations for the academic year 2024-25 on February 15, 2025. The first paper was English, conducted from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This year, approximately 44 lakh students from 8,000 schools are appearing for the Class 10 and 12 board exams.
Also Read - CBSE Board Class 10th English Question Paper 2025; Download PDF here
Student Reactions and Feedback
Many students found the paper manageable, with some describing it as easy if they had prepared well. Aryan, a student from Delhi, shared that the grammar and writing sections were straightforward, and he expects a good score. Some students mentioned that the reading section was time-consuming as they had to carefully analyse the passages before answering. However, most of the students found the literature section balanced, with most questions from the prescribed syllabus.
Sana Sahrawat of Grade 10, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon said, “I am really happy with my paper. The extrapolatory long answer questions were good. I could attempt them well.” Another student said that the competency-based questions were basic and not difficult as long as students were familiar with literary terms, themes, and messages from the chapters.
Analysis by Teachers
Sreelekha Sarcar, Head of the Department, English, of Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, said, “It was a good balance of Higher Order Thinking skills and recall questions. Students were ecstatic when they came out of the exam hall.” The rigorous preparation throughout the year has ensured that all students begin the Board exams on a positive note.
The English exam question paper was divided into three sections:
Section A: Reading Skills
This section tested students' comprehension abilities through two unseen passages, each worth 10 marks, totalling 20 marks.
Section B: Writing Skills and Grammar
This section assessed students' proficiency in writing and grammar. It included questions on creative writing and grammatical concepts, contributing 20 marks to the total score.
Section C: Literature Textbooks and Supplementary Reading Text
This section evaluated students' understanding of the prescribed literature. It comprised questions from the textbooks, making up 40 marks of the exam.
Students were given an additional 15 minutes before the start of the exam to read through the question paper. This time was intended to help them plan their approach and manage their time effectively during the exam.
Also Read: Download CBSE Date Sheet 2025 for Class 10, 12
The CBSE Class 10 English exam 2025 was structured according to the official pattern and contained no surprises for well-prepared students. While some found the reading section a bit lengthy, the writing and grammar sections were manageable. With the English exam completed, students are now gearing up for their remaining board exams.
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