CBSE Class 12 Math Paper 2025 review: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 Mathematics and Applied Mathematics examination on March 8, 2025. Held in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, the paper drew mixed reactions from students and experts, with a common consensus that it was moderate in difficulty but considerably lengthy.
Expert analysis: Balanced yet time-consuming paper
Gautam Thakral, PGT Mathematics at Shiv Nadar School, Faridabad, described the Standard Mathematics paper as “moderate but lengthy,” emphasizing that while some questions were straightforward, a strong conceptual understanding and effective time management were essential. “High-scoring students found 2-3 MCQs to be challenging, but the rest of the paper was manageable. Among the different sets, SET 1 was the easiest, whereas SET 3 posed greater difficulty,” he stated. He further pointed out that Sections A and E were more challenging, and the paper included some previous year questions (PYQs), making it familiar yet tricky for students.
Ramneek Kaur, an educator from Shiv Nadar School, Noida, shared a more optimistic view, particularly for students of Applied Mathematics. She remarked, “The paper was balanced, and children could finish it on time. The pattern closely resembled the CBSE sample paper. All children were satisfied and relieved after attempting the paper. They had put in genuine efforts for it, and we hope they see good results.”
Dr. Ajit Singh, Vice President of Academics at Orchids The International School, provided a more critical take, noting that most students found the paper challenging. “Most people did not like the Maths paper, and rightfully so. There was not much to like about this paper,” he wrote. “If you ever felt Integration was difficult, this paper proved you right. If you ever felt Functions and Relations or Probability was tricky, this paper is the best example.”
Student reactions: A tale of two experiences
Students had varying responses, with some finding the paper manageable while others struggled with its length and tricky questions. Shreya, a Class 12 student, found the paper “easy except for 1-2 MCQs.” Meanwhile, Aarav Agarwal, a student from Shiv Nadar School, Noida, observed that “5-mark questions were direct, but one question in the 2-mark and 3-mark sections was tricky.”
However, many students found the paper unexpectedly challenging in terms of application-based questions and time management. Dr. Ajit Singh noted that “hundreds of students struggled to even identify which chapter a question belonged to.” He added, “If you got Set B of the paper, it is no surprise if you struggled throughout – not a single question was straightforward. The worst part is, this paper deeply impacted the time management strategy.”
Breaking Down the CBSE class 12 Math paper 2025: What worked and what didn’t
The positives: Structured and familiar
From a student’s perspective, the paper adhered to the expected section-wise and chapter-wise weightage, providing a sense of familiarity. Notably, the 5-mark questions were relatively easier compared to the rest of the paper, allowing students to secure marks in these high-value sections.
Teachers also noted that the paper did not introduce any unexpected or out-of-syllabus questions. A significant highlight was the inclusion of miscellaneous questions from NCERT, reinforcing their importance in preparation. Students who had thoroughly practiced these questions found the paper more manageable despite its challenges.
The challenges: Tricky and time-consuming
On the downside, application-based questions proved to be a stumbling block for many students, as they were tricky and time-consuming. Set B, in particular, posed a greater challenge compared to the other sets, leading to varied difficulty levels across different students.
Time management emerged as a significant issue, with even 2-mark and 3-mark questions demanding substantial effort. Many students found themselves dedicating more time to these questions than anticipated, affecting their ability to complete the paper efficiently.
The MCQs, too, presented a mixed experience—while some were direct and quick to solve, others required deeper thinking and took considerable time. This added to the overall time pressure faced by students.
Dr. Singh summarized the general student sentiment by calling the paper “L&T – lengthy and tricky.” He also predicted that the paper would go through moderation, as different sets led to vastly different experiences among students.
Final verdict: A challenging yet fair paper?
While the 2025 Class 12 Math paper adhered to the CBSE pattern and syllabus, its difficulty level and length made it challenging for many students. Those who had practiced miscellaneous NCERT questions found it familiar but not necessarily easy. The paper tested not only conceptual understanding but also time management skills, making it a crucial determinant of students’ overall board exam performance.
