The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 Mathematics and Applied Mathematics examination on March 8, 2025, in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The paper received mixed reviews from students and experts, with most agreeing that it was moderate in difficulty but lengthy, requiring strong conceptual understanding and effective time management.
Expert Analysis: A Balanced Yet Time-Consuming Paper
Mathematics: Conceptual and Lengthy
Gautam Thakral, PGT Mathematics at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, described the Standard Mathematics paper as “moderate but lengthy.” While some questions were straightforward, he emphasized the need for conceptual clarity and time management.
🔹 Challenging Sections: Sections A and E were found to be the most difficult.
🔹 Variation in Difficulty: Among the different sets, SET 1 was the easiest, while SET 3 posed the most challenges.
🔹 MCQs & Familiarity: While most of the paper was manageable, 2-3 MCQs were tricky. Some previous year questions (PYQs) were included, adding familiarity but also complexity.
Applied Mathematics: Balanced and Predictable
Ramneek Kaur, an educator from Shiv Nadar School, Noida, provided a more positive perspective for Applied Mathematics students, stating:
“The paper was balanced and followed the CBSE sample paper pattern. Students could complete it on time and felt satisfied after attempting it.”
A More Critical Take
Dr. Ajit Singh, Vice President of Academics at Orchids The International School, had a starkly different opinion. He noted that many students struggled, calling it “one of the most disliked Math papers in recent years.”
👉 Integration, Functions & Probability were among the toughest topics.
👉 Many students struggled to identify the chapters from which certain questions were framed.
👉 Set B was particularly challenging, with few straightforward questions.
Student Reactions: A Tale of Two Experiences
Students had divergent opinions about the paper. While some found it manageable, others struggled with its length and tricky questions.
✔ Shreya, a Class 12 student: “The paper was easy, except for 1-2 MCQs.”
✔ Aarav Agarwal, Shiv Nadar School: “Five-mark questions were direct, but some 2-mark and 3-mark questions were tricky.”
❌ Dr. Ajit Singh: “Hundreds of students found time management difficult. Those who got Set B had a particularly tough experience.”
Breaking Down the CBSE Class 12 Math Paper 2025: Strengths & Weaknesses
✅ Positives: Structured and Familiar
- Adhered to CBSE syllabus & chapter-wise weightage.
- 5-mark questions were relatively easier, offering a scoring opportunity.
- Included NCERT miscellaneous questions, benefiting well-prepared students.
❌ Challenges: Lengthy & Tricky
- Application-based questions were time-consuming.
- Set B was harder than other sets, leading to varied experiences.
- MCQs varied in difficulty—some were direct, while others required deeper analysis.
- Time management was a major issue, with even 2-mark and 3-mark questions requiring significant effort.
Dr. Singh summed it up as an “L&T” (lengthy and tricky) paper and predicted that moderation might be applied to account for the difficulty differences between sets.
Final Verdict: A Challenging Yet Fair Paper?
The CBSE Class 12 Math Paper 2025 followed the expected pattern and syllabus but posed challenges due to its length and complexity. While well-prepared students found it manageable, time constraints made it difficult for many. The paper tested both conceptual understanding and time management skills, making it a key determinant of overall board exam performance.
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