The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam for 2025 was conducted on February 21. Students and teachers have shared their insights, with most describing the paper as moderately difficult. While some sections were straightforward, others required deep conceptual clarity and problem-solving skills. Here’s a comprehensive analysis based on expert reviews, student feedback, and section-wise breakdowns.
Overall Difficulty Level
The Class 12 Physics paper was well-structured and balanced, aligning with the CBSE syllabus. However, students faced challenges in solving some of the numerical problems.
- Moderate difficulty: The paper had a mix of direct and tricky questions.
- Conceptual clarity needed: Some MCQs, particularly from Electricity and Magnetism and Optics, were tricky and required strong understanding.
- Time management crucial: The lengthiness of the paper posed a challenge for many students, especially in Set 3.
Section-Wise Analysis
Section A: MCQs – A Mix of Simple and Tricky Questions
This section consisted of 16 multiple-choice and assertion-reasoning questions.
- While some MCQs were direct, others were tricky and required conceptual clarity.
- Modern Physics MCQs were relatively easier, whereas those from Electricity and Magnetism and Optics were challenging.
Section B: Short Answer Questions – Application-Based
- This section contained five 2-mark questions, mostly application-based.
- Questions on Ohm’s Law, Ampere’s Circuital Law, and Lenz’s Law were included.
- Some students found a few of these questions moderately difficult.
Section C: Concept-Oriented Theory Questions
- Focused on theory and conceptual understanding rather than direct recall.
- Well-prepared students found this section manageable, while those relying on rote learning struggled.
- Modern Physics case study was scoring, whereas Capacitance-based case study posed challenges.
Section D: Case Study-Based Questions
- Two 4-mark case-based questions tested students’ ability to apply concepts.
- Some case studies were straightforward, while others required analytical thinking and multi-step solutions.
Section E: Long Answer Questions – Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)
- Three 5-mark questions required logical reasoning and problem-solving.
- Unlike previous years, these questions were not as direct, making them difficult for average students.
- Time-consuming, demanding a well-structured approach to writing detailed answers.
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| Class 12 CBSE Physics Section Wise Analysis 2025 | |
| Parameter | Exam Analysis |
| Overall difficulty level of the paper | Moderate |
| Section A
MCQs- All Compulsory |
Easy |
| Section B
VSA- All Compulsory with internal choice |
Moderate |
| Section C
SA- All Compulsory with internal choice |
Easy to Moderate |
| Section D
CBQ- All Compulsory |
Easy |
| Section E
LA- All Compulsory with internal choice |
Moderate |
| Expected Good Score | 50+ |
| Lengthiest Questions | ·     Theoretical questions from EM Waves, Magnetism & Matter, Atoms, Nuclei, and Semiconductors are simple and direct.
·     Numerical problems focus on electric circuits, refraction, interference, and diffraction. ·     Section E includes derivation-based questions from Electrostatics, Moving Charges & Magnetism, EMI & AC, and Optics. ·     Graph-based questions cover topics like resistivity, EMF, the photoelectric effect, and the potential energy of nucleons. |
| Time Consuming Section | Section E |
Key Observations
- Well-structured and syllabus-aligned: The paper covered all key topics, including Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Optics, and Modern Physics.
- Numerical required extra effort: Though expected, some numerical problems were lengthy and tricky, requiring thorough preparation.
- Case study questions were crucial: Students who practiced NCERT examples and previous years’ papers performed better in these sections.
- No major surprises: The paper followed expected patterns, but the absence of certain topics left some students unsettled.
Student and Teacher Feedback
Many students found the paper manageable but lengthy, with some struggling to complete all sections within the given time. Teachers observed that the paper was well-balanced, effectively assessing both theoretical understanding and application-based knowledge. Assertion-reasoning and case-based questions were particularly concept-heavy, posing challenges for students who relied on rote learning. Additionally, some unexpected elements were noted, such as the absence of anticipated questions from Optics and the inclusion of a few questions from the deleted syllabus.
Concluding a Well-Balanced exam
The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam for 2025 was well-balanced, effectively assessing students’ conceptual understanding and problem-solving abilities. While high scorers found some sections difficult, well-prepared students could manage it efficiently. The increased emphasis on higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) and analytical reasoning indicates a shift towards conceptual learning.
Overall, students who studied diligently, practiced numericals, and had a strong grasp of concepts will likely score well. The paper successfully maintained fairness across different sets while challenging students to apply their knowledge effectively.
