CBSE class 12 Exam Analysis: ‘It was an easy to moderate paper’

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the class XII English exam on February 22, 2024. The exam was scheduled from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. The three-hour question paper was of 70 marks with MCQs, short answers, and long answers.  

There were 33 questions with internal choice.

SECTION A consisted of 16 multiple-choice questions carrying 1 mark each.

SECTION B consisted of 5 short answer questions carrying 2 marks each.

SECTION C consisted of 7 short answer questions carrying 3 marks each.

SECTION D consisted of 4 case-based questions carrying 2 marks each.

SECTION E consisted of 3 long answer questions carrying 5 marks each.

The use of log tables and calculators was not allowed.

According to Suman Chaudhary, a Chemistry teacher at Apeejay School Faridabad, Sector 15, the question paper was easy to moderate. “Also everything that came in the question papers was from the NCERT textbook. The only tough aspect of the question paper was the MCQs – all three sets had different questions; this was a deviation from the usual practice of question shuffling. This approach resulted in each set presenting entirely different questions for these one-markers, ensuring a unique challenge across versions,” Chaudhary shared.

She added that the exam was objectively assessed as moderate, with subjective questions deemed easier in comparison. “It included five sections, totaling 70 marks. In terms of question distribution, there were 5 two-marker questions, described as relatively straightforward. However, variations were observed in three of these across different versions.

“However, the 7 three-marker questions were consistent across all sets and the students could comfortably tackle them. The exam also featured case study-based four-marker questions, incorporating elements akin to unseen passages, thereby testing students’ analytical skills and understanding,” Chaudhary said.

The question paper offered a selection of five-marker questions, where students were presented with eight options and required to answer any three. This segment was also considered easy, providing a fair opportunity for students to score well.

“The question paper was not at all lengthy and the students were able to complete it in two-and-a-half hours. This left them with half an hour for revision,” Chaudhary said and added that this question paper will make it possible for the well-prepared students to score high, Chaudhary said in conclusion.