The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced a significant update in its assessment style for the upcoming board exams. Under the CBSE Exam Pattern Change 2025, half of the paper will now feature competency-based questions, focusing on practical knowledge and skill application.
This shift aims to encourage students to think critically and apply their learning to real-world situations instead of relying solely on memorization.
What Are Competency-Based Questions?
Competency-Based Questions Explained:
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Designed to assess understanding and application, not just recall.
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Often framed as case studies, real-life problems, or analytical scenarios.
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Encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and clarity of concepts.
Exam Structure Under the New Pattern
Under the CBSE Exam Pattern Change 2025, the distribution of marks will be as follows:
| Question Type | Weightage in 2025 | Previous Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% | 40% |
| Objective-Type Questions | 20% | 20% |
| Short/Long Answer Questions | 30% | 40% |
Why This Change Matters
This change is designed to reshape the way students approach learning.
Key benefits include:
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Better preparation for competitive exams.
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Encouragement of practical and application-based learning.
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Reduced dependency on rote memorization.
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Alignment with NEP 2020’s skill-based education goals.
How Students Can Prepare for Competency-Based Questions
Preparation tips:
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Practice application-based and analytical problems.
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Take part in group discussions for broader perspectives.
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Use diagrams, flowcharts, and real-world examples in answers.
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Focus on understanding concepts deeply rather than memorizing.
Expert Tip for the 2025 Board Exams
Students should start relating classroom concepts to real-life situations to handle competency-based questions effectively.
FAQs
Q1: What percentage of competency-based questions will be in CBSE 2025 exams?
A: Under the CBSE Exam Pattern Change 2025, 50% of the paper will consist of competency-based questions.
Q2: Will all subjects follow the same pattern?
A: Yes, this format will be applied to all major subjects in Classes 10 and 12.
Q3: Are competency-based questions tougher than regular ones?
A: Not necessarily. They require more application and analysis rather than pure recall.
Q4: How can I practice for competency-based questions?
A: Solve CBSE sample papers, try NCERT-based case studies, and focus on practical problem-solving exercises.
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