CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2025: ‘Always keep 10-15 minutes for revision’

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has scheduled the Class XII exams for 2025 to be conducted from February 15, 2025, to April 4, 2025, in the traditional pen-and-paper, format. The exams will open with the subject of Entrepreneurship and conclude with Psychology. The Board has also released the 2025 syllabus, outlining the critical chapters and topics that students must focus on.

According to Ms Praveen Kumari, Primary In-charge, who also is a Political Science teacher at Apeejay School, Pitampura, the Political Science question paper has a total of 30 questions; the maximum mark is 80 marks.

Format of the question paper

Read the instructions carefully and follow them. All questions are compulsory. The question paper is divided into five sections: A, B, C, D, and E. 

Section A (Questions 1 to 12): Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), each question carries 1 mark. 

Section B (Questions 13 to 18): Short answer type questions, each question carries 2 marks. Write answers in 50 to 60 words. 

Section C (Questions 19 to 23): Long answer type I, each question carries 4 marks. Write answers in 100 to 120 words. 

Section D (Questions 24 to 26): Passage, cartoon, and map-based questions. Answer each question accordingly. 

Section E (Questions 27 to 30): Long answer type-II questions. Each question carries 6 marks. Write answers in 170 to 180 words. 

There is no overall choice. However, there is an internal choice provided in a few questions — attempt only one of the choices in such questions. 

·         Understand the syllabus and exam pattern: Focus on important topics like Globalization, Indian Politics since Independence, and Contemporary World Politics. Know the weightage of different units to prioritize your preparation.

·         Read NCERT thoroughly: NCERT is the most important book for the exam. Read each chapter line by line to grasp concepts, definitions, and key points. Make short notes for quick revision.

·         Practice answer writing: Structure your answers into the introduction, body, and conclusion. Use examples. Write in points and practice previous years’ papers and sample papers.

·         Focus on case studies, cartoons and map questions: Many questions are based on political cartoons, case studies, and maps. Practice map-based questions related to events like the Partition of India, States’ Reorganization, Leaders and their states.

·         Manage time properly: Allocate time wisely — long answers (6 marks) take more time than short ones (2-4 marks). Keep the last 10-15 minutes for revision.

·         Revise smartly: Revise important dates, treaties, events, and personalities. Use mnemonics or flowcharts to recall key points.

·         Stay updated with current affairs: Connect topics with recent political events (like India’s foreign policy, elections, climate policies, and UN reforms).

·         Presentation matters: Draw flowcharts or diagrams where applicable and write neatly and legibly to create a good impression.

·         Stay calm and confident: Avoid last-minute cramming and read the question paper carefully before answering.