CBSE Class 12th English Exams 2025: How to attempt the paper? Section-wise strategy, important chapters

 CBSE Class 12th English Exams 2025: How to Attempt the Paper? Section-wise Strategy, Important Chapters

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12th English exam is one of the most crucial exams for students aspiring to secure a strong academic foundation. With the 2025 exam approaching, students need a strategic approach to tackle the paper efficiently. The English exam consists of two main papers: English Core and English Elective, and each demands a different approach.

In this article, we break down how to approach the paper, section-wise strategies, and some important chapters to focus on.

Understanding the CBSE Class 12th English Exam Pattern

Before diving into specific strategies, it is important for students to understand the exam pattern for English. The Class 12 English exam is divided into various sections that test a student’s comprehension, writing, and creative abilities. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Reading Section: Comprises two passages – one is factual and the other literary.
2. Writing Section: Tests the student’s ability to write essays, letters, reports, etc.
3. Literature Section: Based on prescribed books and poems, assessing detailed knowledge of the texts.

Section-wise Strategy for the CBSE Class 12th English Exam 2025

1. Reading Section (20 Marks)

This section consists of unseen passages that test reading comprehension and analytical skills. There are typically two passages—one factual and one literary.

Strategy:

• Time Management: Allocate around 20 minutes for this section.
• Skim the Passage: Read the passage quickly to understand the main idea before answering the questions.
• Understand the Questions: Focus on keywords from the questions and match them with the relevant parts of the passage.
• Practice Regularly: Regular practice of unseen passages from past years and sample papers will help increase speed and accuracy.

2. Writing Section (30 Marks)

The writing section will include:

• Article/Report Writing: Often based on current events or topics relevant to students.
• Letter Writing: Formal and informal letters, including job applications, complaint letters, etc.
• Essay Writing: Topics are broad, ranging from social issues to personal experiences.

Strategy:

• Follow Structure: Ensure you follow the correct format for each writing task (letters, articles, essays).
• Be Clear and Concise: Express your ideas clearly and avoid unnecessary repetition.
• Practice: Practice writing on diverse topics and improve your vocabulary. Focus on constructing grammatically correct sentences.
• Time Management: Spend around 40 minutes for this section, allotting 10 minutes for each letter/report and 20-25 minutes for the essay.

3. Literature Section (30 Marks)

The literature section includes questions on both prose and poetry. It tests a student's understanding of the chapters, characters, themes, and literary devices used in the prescribed textbooks.

Strategy:

• Revise Important Chapters: Make sure to revise key chapters and poems thoroughly, especially those that have been frequently asked in past years. Focus on the main themes, character sketches, and important quotes.
• Note Down Important Quotes: Keep a list of important quotes from the chapters, as questions about these are common.
• Answering Style: In long answer questions, always start by addressing the question directly, followed by relevant examples and quotes from the text.
• Time Management: Spend around 50 minutes for this section. Prioritize questions that carry more marks and are more important from the text.

Important Chapters to Focus On for CBSE Class 12th English

The CBSE Class 12 English syllabus covers both prose and poetry, with some chapters having a higher likelihood of appearing on the exam. While all chapters are important, here are some chapters that students should prioritize based on past trends:

Prose (Flamingo)

1. The Last Lesson by Alphonse Daudet
2. The Rattrap by Selma Lagerlöf
3. Deep Water by William Douglas
4. Indigo by Louis Fischer

Poetry (Flamingo)

1. My Mother at Sixty-six by Kamala Das
2. A Photograph by Shirley Toulson
3. An Atlas of the World by Adrienne Rich
4. The Ballad of Puran Singh by Puran Singh

Supplementary Reader (Vistas)

1. The Tiger King by Kalki Krishnamurthy
2. The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck
3. The Proposal by Anton Chekhov

General Tips to Ace the CBSE Class 12th English Exam

1. Practice Previous Years’ Papers: Solving previous years’ papers will give you an idea of the types of questions asked and the exam pattern.
2. Time Yourself: Simulate real exam conditions and practice writing within the allotted time to improve speed and efficiency.
3. Stay Updated on Current Affairs: For writing sections like article or report writing, stay updated with current events as these topics are often asked.
4. Use Correct Grammar and Vocabulary: Whether writing essays or answers, always aim for clarity and grammatical accuracy. A strong vocabulary can make your writing stand out.
5. Stay Calm and Confident: During the exam, stay calm, read each question carefully, and structure your answers logically.

Conclusion

With proper preparation and a clear strategy, students can easily navigate through the CBSE Class 12th English exam. Focus on understanding the concepts, practicing writing, and revising important chapters to score well. Following the section-wise strategy and giving attention to important chapters will help students confidently tackle the exam in 2025. Good luck!