CBSE Exam Pattern 2024-25 for Class 10

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) exam pattern for the 2024-25 academic year brings several significant updates to the Class 10 board exams. These changes aim to promote a more comprehensive understanding of subjects and encourage higher-order thinking skills among students. Here’s an in-depth look at the new exam pattern, helping students from Satyameva Jayate International School (SJIS), Ahmedabad prepare effectively.

Overview of the Exam Structure

The CBSE Class 10 exam pattern consists of two main components:

Theory Examination: 80 marks
Internal Assessment: 20 marks

This pattern applies to all major subjects, including English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Hindi. The focus has shifted towards competency-based questions, which test not only factual knowledge but also the application of concepts in real-world situations.

Key Components of the Exam Pattern

Competency-Based Questions
- Approximately 40% of the exam paper will include competency-based questions. These could be in the form of case studies, source-based questions, or passages. The aim is to assess students’ ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Objective-Type Questions
- 20% of the paper will consist of objective-type questions. These include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), true or false, match-the-column, and fill-in-the-blanks. These are designed to test quick recall and precise understanding of key facts and concepts.
Short and Long Answer Questions
- The remaining 40% of the paper will comprise short-answer and long-answer questions, which require more detailed responses. Students will need to demonstrate in-depth understanding and articulate their thoughts clearly.

Subject-Wise Distribution

1. Mathematics

The Mathematics paper is divided into Basic and Standard levels. The theory exam is worth 80 marks, with an internal assessment contributing 20 marks. Key sections include Algebra, Trigonometry, Geometry, and Probability, with a heavy emphasis on problem-solving and practical applications.

Unit	Unit Name	Marks
I	Number Systems	6
II	Algebra	20
III	Coordinate Geometry	6
IV	Geometry	15
V	Trigonometry	12
VI	Mensuration	10
VII	Statistics and Probability	11
	Total	80

2. Science

The Science exam focuses on five core units: Chemical Substances, World of Living, Natural Phenomena, Effects of Current, and Natural Resources. The theory paper holds 80 marks, while 20 marks come from practicals and internal assessments. Practical applications of concepts are highly prioritized.

Units	Unit Name	Marks
I	Chemical Substances-Nature and Behavior	25
II	World of Living	25
III	Natural Phenomena	12
IV	Effects of Current	13
V	Natural Resources	5
	Total	80
	Internal Assessment	20
	Grand Total	10

3. English

The English syllabus consists of Reading Skills, Writing and Grammar, and Literature. The theory paper carries 80 marks, with Reading Skills accounting for 20 marks, Grammar and Writing for 20 marks, and Literature for 40 marks.

Section	Section Name	Marks Weightage
A	Reading Skills	20
B	Writing Skills with Grammar	20
C	Language and Literature	40

4. Social Science

Social Science is divided into History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics. The theory exam is worth 80 marks, with 20 marks for internal assessment. Students will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of map work, key historical events, and socio-political concepts.

Section	Syllabus	Weightage
History	The Rise of Nationalism in Europe	23
	Nationalism in India
	The Making of a Global World (Subtopics 1.1 to 1.3)
	Print Culture and the Modern World
Political Science	Power-sharing	15
	Federalism
	Gender, Religion and Caste
	Political Parties
	Outcomes of Democracy
Geography	Resources and Development	22
	Forest and Wildlife Resources
	Water Resources
	Agriculture
	Lifelines of National Economy (Subtopics: Roadways and Railways only)
Economics	Development	15
	Sectors of the Indian Economy
	Money and Credit
	Globalization and The Indian Economy
Map Pointing	All chapters of Geography (Contemporary India-II)	5
	Nationalism in India

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

The internal assessment remains consistent across subjects and is divided as follows:

Periodic Tests: 5 marks
Subject Enrichment Activity: 5 marks
Portfolio Submission: 5 marks
Practical Work or Projects: 5 marks

These assessments encourage consistent effort throughout the year and emphasize skill-based learning.

Steps to Download CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2024-25

Visit the Official CBSE Website:
- Open your browser and go to the official website of CBSE: cbse.gov.in.
Go to the ‘Academic Website’:
- On the homepage, you will find two main sections: ‘Main Website’ and ‘Academic Website.’ Click on the ‘Academic Website’ link to access curriculum-related content.
Navigate to the Curriculum Section:
- On the Academic Website, look for the ‘Curriculum’ tab located at the top menu. Hover over it, and from the drop-down, select ‘Curriculum 2024-25’.
Select Secondary Curriculum (Class 10):
- In the next window, select ‘Secondary Curriculum’ for Class 9 and 10.
Choose Your Subject:
- You will see a list of subjects under the Class 10 curriculum. Click on the desired subject link to view or download the syllabus in PDF format.
Download the PDF:
- After selecting the subject, the syllabus for that subject will be displayed. Click on the download icon or link to save the PDF file to your device.

Preparation Tips for Students

Practice Sample Papers: CBSE releases sample papers based on the latest exam pattern. Regular practice helps in understanding the type of questions and time management.
Focus on Competency-Based Questions: Since 40% of the paper will consist of competency-based questions, students should focus on application-based learning, especially in Science and Social Science.
Objective Question Preparation: As 20% of the exam paper will be objective, mastering quick facts, formulas, and key concepts is crucial.
Use NCERT Textbooks: Stick to the NCERT textbooks for core subject preparation, as these are the primary source for the exam questions.

Also read: CBSE Grading System for Class 10

Conclusion

The CBSE exam pattern for Class 10 (2024-25) aims to create a balanced approach to learning, combining factual knowledge with application-based questions. At Satyameva Jayate International School, students are encouraged to prepare thoroughly using a blend of theoretical study and practical application. Regular practice, revision, and understanding the exam structure will help students excel in their board exams.

Inquire now for admission.