The CBSE Class 11 exam pattern 2025 is getting a major overhaul to align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 🎯. The focus? Moving away from rote learning and encouraging critical thinking, real-world application, and competency-based assessments. If you’re a student or parent navigating this shift, this guide breaks down everything—grading system, internal assessments, question types, and key changes—so you can prepare smarter, not harder.
Key Highlights of CBSE 11th Exam Pattern 2025 🚀
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization Name | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% weightage (MCQs, case studies, source-based) |
| MCQs (Objective Type) | 20% weightage |
| Short/Long Answer Questions | 30% weightage (reduced from 40%) |
| Internal Assessment | 20 marks (projects, practicals, periodic tests) |
| Exam Duration | 3 hours |
| Passing Criteria | 33% in theory + internal assessment |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
CBSE 11th Grading System 2025 📊
Unlike Class 10, CBSE does not use a standard grading system for Class 11. Instead, schools follow percentage-based marking. However, internal assessments and practicals play a big role:
| Component | Marks Distribution |
|---|---|
| Theory Exam | 80 marks |
| Internal Assessment | 20 marks |
| Total | 100 marks |
🔹 Passing Requirement: Students must score at least 33% overall (combined theory + internal).
Internal Assessment Breakdown 🧩
Internal assessments aren’t just about exams—they track holistic development. Here’s how marks are split:
| Assessment Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Periodic Tests | 5 marks |
| Multiple Assessments | 5 marks (quizzes, presentations) |
| Portfolio | 5 marks (notebooks, assignments) |
| Subject Enrichment | 5 marks (projects, lab work) |
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t ignore internal marks—they can boost your final score!
Question Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme 📝
The CBSE 11th 2025 papers will have three key sections:
| Section | Question Type | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| A | Competency-Based (MCQs, case studies) | 50% |
| B | Objective (MCQs) | 20% |
| C | Short/Long Answer | 30% |
🔹 Example: A Science paper might include case studies on real-life experiments, while Maths could have applied problem-solving MCQs.
Subject-Wise Weightage (Science, Commerce, Arts) 🔍
1. Science Stream
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical/IA |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 70 | 30 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 |
| Maths | 80 | 20 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 |
2. Commerce Stream
| Subject | Theory Marks | Project/IA |
|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 |
3. Humanities (Arts) Stream
| Subject | Theory Marks | Internal Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| History | 80 | 20 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 |
| Geography | 70 | 30 |
How to Prepare for CBSE 11th 2025 Exams? 🎯
✅ Focus on NCERT Books – They’re the backbone of CBSE exams.
✅ Practice Competency-Based Questions – Use sample papers from CBSE’s official site.
✅ Strengthen Internal Assessments – Regular projects and lab work matter.
✅ Time Management – Allocate study hours based on weightage.
💬 Expert Insight: “Students should shift from memorization to application-based learning—CBSE’s new pattern rewards critical thinking.” – Gurmeet Kaur, Education Expert .
Final Thoughts
The CBSE 11th Exam Pattern 2025 is designed to reduce exam stress while promoting deeper understanding. By mastering competency-based questions and internal assessments, students can score higher and build skills for Class 12 boards.
📌 Need sample papers? Check CBSE’s official site for updates!
Rishabh Singh is a content creator focusing on recruitment notifications and admit cards. He holds a degree in Business Administration and has 4+ years of experience. Rishabh enjoys simplifying job application processes and is a fitness enthusiast.
