CBSE changes exam format for classes 11, 12 from this academic year; eliminates long-form answers

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday announced that the exam format for Classes 11, 12 has been changed from 2024-25, news agency PTI has reported. The new format will focus on concept application questions rather than long-form answers.

The percentage of competency-focused questions, such as MCQs and case-based questions, has been increased from 40 to 50 per cent. In contrast, the percentage of constructed response questions has been reduced from 40 to 30 per cent.

According to Joseph Emanuel, Director (Academics) at CBSE, these changes align with the National Education Policy, 2020.


"The board in accordance with National Education Policy, 2020 has taken multiple steps towards implementation of Competency Based Education in schools, ranging from aligning assessment to competencies, development of exemplar resources for teachers and students as well as continuous capacity building of the teachers etc," he said.

The board aims to shift towards Competency Based Education by emphasizing creativity, critical thinking, and system-based learning.

Emanuel also said that the focus is to prepare students for 21st-century challenges by moving away from rote memorization.

"Consequently, in the forthcoming session, the percentage of Competency Based Questions that assess application of concepts in real-life situations included in the question papers of the board has been altered," he added.

However, there will be no changes in the exam format for Classes 9 and 10.