CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Exam 2025: A Detailed Analysis of Paper Difficulty

The much-anticipated CBSE Class 12 Mathematics (041) and Applied Mathematics (241) exams were conducted on March 8, 2025, marking a significant event for students across India and abroad. The exam, lasting three hours, was structured with 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and three case-based questions offering internal choices. Worth 80 marks in total, it assessed the depth of understanding in various mathematical domains, creating a mix of both easy and challenging questions.

CBSE Class 12 Mathematics

A Mix of Ease and Complexity

The general consensus from students and educators suggests that the exam was moderately tough and time-consuming. While the majority of questions were based on NCERT guidelines and previous year’s papers, certain sections, especially integral calculus and some MCQs, presented difficulties. Teachers and experts, such as Jatin Hasija, HoD Mathematics, Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, noted that the exam offered a good balance between question types. However, a few students felt it was slightly more difficult than previous exams.

Time Management: A Key to Success

The exam required strong time-management skills, as many students reported that although the questions themselves weren’t overly complex, the lengthy nature of the paper tested their ability to balance speed with accuracy. Ramneek Kaur, a teacher at Shiv Nadar School, Noida, highlighted that the test required conceptual clarity in addition to quick thinking. "Though some questions were simple, the exam needed good conceptual understanding and time management,” she stated.

A Close Look at the Question Sections

Section-wise, students found different parts of the paper to vary in difficulty:

• Sections A, B, and C were generally easier, with direct questions that most students could handle effectively.
• Sections D and E, on the other hand, were deemed more challenging, with tricky questions that demanded high-level understanding and problem-solving abilities. In particular, integral calculus posed some difficulties for students.

Aarav Agarwal, a student from Shiv Nadar School, reported that while the 5-mark questions were relatively straightforward, some of the 2-mark and 3-mark questions were trickier and required more time to solve.

Tricky MCQs and Complex Integration Problems

Many students, especially those who scored well, found the MCQs a bit tricky. However, they were still manageable with the right preparation. Gautam Thakral, PGT Mathematics at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, remarked that although the paper presented some challenges, students who had prepared well found the exam at a manageable level. However, questions on integration tested the depth of understanding, making them more difficult for a few.

A Paradox of Difficulty Across Sets

Students also noted varying difficulty levels across different sets of the exam. Set 1 was considered the easiest, while Set 3 proved to be more challenging. In particular, Sections A and E were identified as the toughest, demanding deeper focus and time management.

NCERT and Previous Year’s Papers Remain the Foundation

Despite the tricky elements, students who had followed the NCERT curriculum and practiced previous year’s questions found the exam relatively predictable. Shreya, a Class 12 student, mentioned that aside from a couple of tricky MCQs, the overall paper was straightforward. "It was a combination of both simple and challenging questions, making it fair for most students," she added.

Integral Calculus Remained a Hurdle

Pooja Nayyar, HoD Mathematics at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad, noted that two to three questions on integral calculus proved to be the most challenging for students. She also observed that the paper was more time-consuming than anticipated, with a higher difficulty level compared to the CBSE sample papers. However, the majority of the paper still followed the expected pattern based on NCERT and previous year papers.

Final Thoughts: Preparation Is Key

Overall, the CBSE Class 12 Mathematics exam for 2025 was a balanced mixture of easy, moderate, and tough questions. With strong conceptual clarity, time management, and consistent practice with NCERT and previous year’s papers, students were able to perform well.

Students should note that while some sections were tricky, particularly integral calculus and certain MCQs, those who maintained calm and applied their knowledge effectively could still achieve high marks. The importance of preparing through NCERT textbooks, practicing mock tests, and focusing on time management cannot be overstated for success in such exams.