CBSE 2025 Board Exams: Assessing the Class 10 Social Science Paper

The recent CBSE Social Science exam for Class 10, held on February 25, 2025, has sparked discussions among students and educators alike. With an 80-mark paper to be completed in three hours, the exam has been largely described as “moderate in difficulty” and well-organised—a sentiment echoed by both students and teachers. In this blog, we take an in-depth look at the exam’s structure, its difficulty level, and what this means for students moving forward.

Exam Overview

The CBSE Social Science paper was designed to test a broad spectrum of topics within the prescribed curriculum. Here are some key details:

• Marks & Time: 80 marks with a three-hour time limit.
• Content Coverage: Nearly 90% of the syllabus, ensuring that most questions remained within the boundaries of the NCERT curriculum.
• Question Types: The paper included multiple-choice questions (MCQs), map-based questions, case studies, and long-answer type questions, providing a balanced mix of conceptual and application-based challenges.

According to feedback from students and educators, the exam maintained a moderate level of difficulty, with most questions being direct and straightforward. This approach allowed students who had prepared diligently to comfortably score above 71 marks.

Teachers’ Perspectives

Educators provided valuable insights into the structure and difficulty of the exam:

• Pratibha Shinghal, Social Science Educator at JAIN International Residential School, Bengaluru, highlighted that the exam’s questions were "moderate in difficulty" and “well-organised.” She noted that the paper was largely based on the prescribed curriculum, which meant that students familiar with the NCERT textbooks were at an advantage.

• Chinka Kapoor, TGT Social Studies at Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, mentioned that while the paper featured a diverse mix of questions to test both conceptual understanding and analytical skills, some questions were tricky, requiring careful interpretation and critical thinking.

• Rishikesh Jha, SME in Social Science at Seth M.R. Jaipuria Schools, observed that the exam offered a balanced opportunity for students to demonstrate their knowledge without feeling overwhelmed, thanks to its well-structured design.

• Vidhi Sharma from Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, emphasized that the paper’s NCERT-based approach reinforced the importance of conceptual clarity. She pointed out that straightforward questions in History and Political Science allowed well-prepared students to excel.

• Manisha Pundir, Social Science Subject Coordinator at VidyaGyan School, Sitapur, UP, stated that the subjective questions were largely direct and that the MCQs required precise conceptual understanding, especially when the options were closely framed.

These insights collectively suggest that the exam was crafted to test students' fundamental understanding of the syllabus while also challenging them to apply their knowledge in various contexts.

Student Experiences

Students also shared their experiences, adding a personal touch to the overall evaluation:

• Richa Pandey, a student from VidyaGyan Sitapur, found the subjective question on the sustainability of development in the Economics section particularly engaging. Having discussed the topic in class and during pre-board exams, she felt confident in tackling it.

• Smita Patel, another student, noted that although a couple of MCQs were tricky due to similar option choices, the overall paper was simple and straightforward.

These reflections underline the exam’s balanced difficulty, where clear understanding and regular engagement with the curriculum were key to success.

Key Takeaways

• Balanced Structure: The exam effectively combined conceptual and application-based questions, ensuring that students could demonstrate both their theoretical knowledge and practical analytical skills.
• Curriculum-Centric: By adhering closely to the NCERT syllabus, the exam ensured that students who prepared diligently from their textbooks had a distinct advantage.
• Moderate Challenge: While some sections presented tricky questions, the overall moderate difficulty level allowed well-prepared students to perform confidently.

Conclusion

The CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam of 2025 has been a testament to thoughtful exam design—one that prioritizes clear understanding over rote memorisation. The balanced mix of question types, coupled with a strong focus on the NCERT curriculum, provided students with a fair opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge. As educators and students reflect on the exam, it’s clear that success lies in consistent preparation and a deep engagement with the core concepts of the subject.

With the exam behind them, students can look forward to future assessments with confidence, armed with the knowledge that a strong grasp of fundamentals is the key to excelling in board exams.

Reference from:-https://indianexpress.com/article/education/cbse-board-exams-2025-class-10th-social-science-paper-analysis-students-teachers-feedback-9855153/