CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has scheduled the Class 12 Board Exams for the 2024-2025 academic session to begin on February 15, 2025. With the end of 2024 fast approaching, students need to intensify their exam preparation. Achieving a high score requires familiarity with the latest exam pattern and marking scheme, as it allows students to structure their study plans more effectively and tackle each section of the paper with confidence.
In this article, we have provided a detailed overview of the CBSE Class 12 History Exam Pattern for the upcoming board exam. This includes the topic-wise marks distribution and the question paper format for the CBSE Class 12 History Exam 2025. The information presented is based on the latest sample paper, syllabus, and exam guidelines released by CBSE.
CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper Format 2025
The CBSE Class 12 History question paper for 2025 will have various questions divided into five sections: A, B, C, D, and E, with a total of 34 questions. The overall format of the question paper is as follows:
| Section | Question Numbers | Question Type | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
| A | 1 to 21 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1 mark | 21 marks |
| B | 22 to 27 | Short Answer Questions | 3 marks | 18 marks |
| C | 28 to 30 | Long Answer Questions | 8 marks | 24 marks |
| D | 31 to 33 | Source-Based Questions (3 sub-questions each) | 4 marks per question | 12 marks |
| E | 34 | Map-Based Question | 5 marks | 5 marks |
The detailed section-wise structure of the CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper 2025 is mentioned below:
Section A (MCQs)
- Questions: 1 to 21
- Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Marks per question: 1 mark each
- Total Marks: 21
This section will consist of 21 one-mark questions designed to test students' knowledge of concepts and terminology in History. Students will be required to choose the correct answer out of the given four options.
Section B (Short Answer Questions)
- Questions: 22 to 27
- Type: Short Answer Questions
- Marks per question: 3 marks each
- Total Marks: 18
Students will be required to answer these questions within 60-80 words. The questions in this section will be designed to assess the student's ability to present concise explanations or describe events within a limited word count.
Section C (Long Answer Questions)
- Questions: 28 to 30
- Type: Long Answer Questions
- Marks per question: 8 marks each
- Total Marks: 24
Answers in this section should not exceed 300-350 words. These questions require an in-depth understanding and elaborate responses, assessing students’ analytical skills and historical insights.
Section D (Source-Based Questions)
- Questions: 31 to 33
- Type: Source-Based Questions with Sub-Questions
- Marks per question: 4 marks each
- Total Marks: 12
This section will have source materials, which could include excerpts from historical texts, letters, or official documents. Each question will have three sub-questions, focusing on the student’s capacity to interpret primary sources and understand the context.
Section E (Map-Based Question)
- Question: 34
- Type: Map-Based Question
- Marks: 5 marks
The final question in the paper will be a map-based task where students will have to identify and locate significant historical sites, regions, or events on a provided map.
Internal Choice
While there will be no overall choice in the paper, internal choice will be provided in some questions. Students can attempt only one of the options provided in these questions.
For more insights into the question paper pattern and format of questions check CBSE Class 12 History Sample Paper for Board Exam 2025
CBSE Class 12 History Topic-Wise Marks Distribution 2024-25
The following table mentions the weightage distribution across various themes of CBSE Class 12 History curriculum for the upcoming board exam:
| Part—I | |
| Theme Title | Marks |
| Bricks, Beads and Bones | 25 Marks |
| Kings, Farmers and Towns | |
| Kingship, Caste and class | |
| Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings | |
| Part—II | |
| Theme Title | Marks |
| Through the eyes of Travellers | 25 Marks |
| Bhakti-Sufi Traditions | |
| An Imperial Capital – Vijayanagar (c. fourteenth to sixteenth centuries) | |
| Peasants, zamindars and the States Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. |
|
| Part-III | |
| Theme Title | Marks |
| Colonialism and The Countryside | 25 Marks |
| Rebels and Raj | |
| Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement | |
| Framing of the Constitution | |
| Map work of the related Themes | 5 Marks |
| Theory Total | 80 Marks |
| Project Work | 20 Marks |
| Total | 100 Marks |
Also, check CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2024-2025 to know the list of topics and chapters to prepare for the upcoming board exam.
Expert Tips for Exam Preparation
- Focus on NCERT Textbooks: CBSE question papers are largely based on NCERT textbooks. A thorough reading and understanding of these textbooks is essential for mastering core concepts and ensuring coverage of all important topics.
- Practice MCQs and Short Answers: Regular practice of MCQs and concise answers can help with quick recall of facts and concepts, enabling students to attempt these sections accurately and efficiently in the board exam.
- Develop Analytical Skills: Source-based and long-answer questions require analytical thinking. Practice writing detailed responses that go beyond factual recall to demonstrate deeper understanding and analysis.
- Practice Map Questions: Regularly practice map marking, focusing on key historical sites and events that have appeared in previous exams.
- Solve Old Question Papers and Sample Papers: Practicing with previous years' question papers and the latest sample papers will help understand the exam format and identify question types and important topics. Solving question papers is also essential for time management.
By understanding the structure of the question paper and marking scheme, students can prepare strategically, ensuring they are well-prepared to tackle any question format in the CBSE Class 12 History exam for 2025.
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