CBSE modifies exam pattern for class 12 English

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 4 – The Central Board of Secondary Education(CBSE) has introduced certain changes  in the paper pattern for class 12 English Core paper. The changes, made to the Reading section,  have been introduced based on feedback received from the various stakeholders and subsequent deliberation in the meetings of Committee of Courses of the Board and subject experts.

Under the revised exam pattern of CBSE English, the number of passages in Section A or Reading have been reduced to two from three. The first passage will have 5 multiple choice questions of 1 mark each, 9-Very short answer type questions including 3 questions on vocabulary for 1 mark each and 3-Short answer type questions of 2 marks each. The second passage will include 2 Long answer type questions of 5 marks each.

The total number of questions for Section A (for all the passages) will now be 19 instead of 24 for 30 marks. As a result of this revision, the total number of questions in the English exam has been reduced to 35 from 40.

The changes to the exam pattern are in favour of students who often find the English question paper lengthy and so are unable to finish the paper in designated time. CBSE is expected to release date-sheet of class 12 in the first week of January, 2019.

Recently, CBSE announced that the vocational exams for both classes 10 and 12 would start by mid-February. However, the core exams are expected to begin in the first week of March. Also, the number of exam days would be reduced to 30 from the previous 45. The changes have been made to ensure that the results for class 12 are declared earlier and students applying for undergraduate programmes are not hassled by delayed results.