CBSE class 10 Science paper analysis: It was of moderate difficulty, say teachers

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on March 4, 2023, (Saturday) conducted the class X Science paper from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. The exam was held across India and 26 countries abroad. The class X Board exam is an important exam for students since the marks obtained determine what stream the student will take up in class XI.

According to Ramandeep Sandhu, HoD Chemistry at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, this year’s Chemistry paper was above average. “The questions that were asked were thought provoking. This was especially true for the MCQs and a couple of other questions. But the good part is that students who were well-prepared could easily get full marks,” Sandhu opined.

Compared to last year, this paper was of moderate difficulty. “While the Chemistry paper was not lengthy, some students found that they spent a longer time trying to understand what the question was asking. Some students just managed to complete the paper in the nick of time,” Sandhu said.

She added that as compared to Biology and Physics, the Chemistry questions that were asked were a little difficult to attempt. Just to give an overall analysis, out of the 39 questions that were asked, eight were easy, 24 were moderately difficult and seven were difficult.

“In question No 37, most students got confused here. While it carried only 1 mark, students were at sea here. On the whole, the 25-mark Chemistry paper, 20 per cent of the questions asked were thought-provoking as the Board had mentioned. Also, this is the first time, in a few years, that questions from the topic PH were asked. But there was nothing that was asked that was not from the NCERT textbook,” Sandhu said.

The questions that were asked were thought provoking. This was especially true for the MCQs and a couple of other questions

-mRamandeep Sandhu, HoD Chemistry at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg

Vikram Sharma, PGT Physics at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg said that the best part of this Physics paper was that it was well-balanced and the questions were from the NCERT textbook. “The paper was not tough; it was moderate. Everything that was asked was from the NCERT book and students who would have thoroughly studied from here would have done well. Also, the students were able to complete this section well within the time period,” Sharma said.

He added that there were a couple of numericals that the students would have found tough. “Those students who would not have practiced numerical, would have found themselves stuck here – it would have been tricky for them to attempt,” Sharma said.

Everything that was asked was from the NCERT book and students who would have thoroughly studied from here would have done well

–Vikram Sharma, PGT Physics at Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg 

The easiest section in this Science paper was Biology. “The paper was neither too long nor too short; it was just right and on expected lines. There were several students who were happy with the questions asked, others said that questions on assertion and MCQs were a little tricky,” Monika Gupta, Biology teacher at Apeejay School, Nerul, said.

But on the whole the Biology paper was comprehensive that had a mix of average, above average and easy questions. “I went through the question paper and would say that it was well-set. A lot of things were asked that were expected. Almost all the questions asked were simple and straightforward,” Gupta said. She added that the surprise was this time the CBSE didn’t ask even a single diagram-based question.

“Though there were some questions on the Respiratory and Excretory system, the questions didn’t ask the student to draw the diagram. Students who find diagrams tough would have sailed through these questions with ease,” Gupta said in conclusion.

There were several students who were happy with the questions asked, others said that questions on assertion and MCQs were a little tricky

 -Monika Gupta, Biology teacher at Apeejay School, Nerul