CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2025: Check Subject Wise Pattern, Marking Scheme, Best Books

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Updated On: October 24, 2024 12:22 PM

CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2025 consists of 5 main subjects followed by one additional subject if chosen by the students, and 3 subjects for internal assessment. The same subjects are to be taken in class 12th.

CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2025
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About CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2025

Students have to appear for 5 main subjects in CBSE class 11th followed by an additional subject. They need to take only those subjects in class 11th which they intend to continue in class 12th. There are five compulsory subjects to be chosen by the students. Subject one is Hindi Elective or Hindi Core or English Elective or English Core. The second subject will be one Language from Group – L not opted as Subject 1 or one Elective from Group – A. The rest of the three subjects must be chosen by the students according to the stream that they have opted for in class 11th.

Students can choose an additional subject from any subject group. Health and Physical Education, Work Experience, and General Studies must be taken by all regular students for internal assessment. CBSE also came up with some important changes for class 11th as per the National Education Policy 2020. The class 11 exams will be conducted twice a year, allowing the students to choose the best out of the two scores. Students will also have to study two languages, out of which one should be an Indian Language. These changes will be reflected in the academic year 2024-25. Check out more information about the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 here:

Also Read: CBSE Class 11th Admission 2024-25

CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25: Overview

CBSE released the stream-wise and subject-wise detailed CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25. It will act as an important guide for students aiming for the highest marks in the final exam. Check the major highlights for the same here:

Particulars

Details

Exam name

Class 11 final examination

Exam conducting body

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Duration

3 hours

Total marks

100

Streams

  • Arts: History, Geography, Political Science, English core, etc
  • Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, and English elective
  • Commerce: Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Math and English core

Type of questions

  • MCQs
  • Descriptive answer-type questions

Website

cbse.gov.in

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Registration Form 2025

    CBSE Class 11 Blueprint 2024-25

    Though the sectional marking scheme may differ for each stream, certain components remain the same. Check the CBSE Class 11 Blueprint 2024-25 here:

    • CBSE conducts separate exams for theory and practical papers along with internal evaluations. For science subjects with practicals, 30 marks will be allotted to practicals. For subjects like English and others, 20 marks will be for internal assessment.
    • The written exam will carry a total of 80 marks for theoretical subjects while subjects with practical portions will be of 70 marks.
    • Questions will be divided into objective-type questions carrying 1 mark and long answer-type questions can carry up to 3 to 6 marks.
    • For internal assessments, students' performance will be judged based on assignments, practical exams, projects, and other components.

    Name of subjects

    Theory paper marks

    Practical paper marks/internal assessment

    English

    80

    20

    Physics

    70

    30

    Chemistry

    70

    30

    Math

    80

    20

    Biology

    70

    30

    History

    80

    20

    Geography

    80

    20

    Political science

    80

    20

    Economics

    80

    20

    Sociology

    80

    20

    Computer science

    70

    30

    Accountancy

    80

    20

    Business studies

    80

    20

    CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 Subject Wise

    Students must have perfect knowledge about the different subjects included in the curriculum and different streams. Check out the subject-wise exam pattern from the tables given below and prepare for the exams accordingly:

    English Core

    The theory exam in English will be conducted for 80 marks and 20 marks will be allotted for the project work. Check the syllabus here:

    Section

    Competencies

    Total Marks

    Reading Skills

    Conceptual understanding, decoding, analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating literary conventions, vocabulary, summarizing, and using appropriate formats.

    26

    Grammar and Creative Writing Skills

    Conceptual understanding, application of rules, analysis, reasoning, appropriacy of style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluation, and creativity.

    23

    Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text

    Recalling, reasoning, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, creativity with fluency, critical thinking.

    31

    TOTAL

    -

    80

    Internal Assessment

    Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills: Listening, Speaking (5+5), Project Work

    20

    GRAND TOTAL

    100

    Accountancy

    The theory paper in Accounts will be conducted for 80 marks. Check the unit-wise weightage from the table given below:

    Units

    Periods

    Marks

    Part A: Financial Accounting-I

    Unit-1: Theoretical Framework

    25

    12

    Unit-2: Accounting Process

    115

    44

    Part B: Financial Accounting-II

    Unit-3: Financial Statements of Sole Proprietorship

    60

    24

    Part C: Project Work

    20

    20

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Accountancy Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Business Studies

    There are a bunch of units included in the syllabus for Business Studies to be checked from the table given below:

    Units

    Periods

    Marks

    Part A: Foundations of Business

    1. Nature and Purpose of Business

    18

    16

    2. Forms of Business Organisations

    24

    3. Public, Private, and Global Enterprises

    18

    14

    4. Business Services

    18

    5. Emerging Modes of Business

    10

    10

    6. Social Responsibility of Business and Business Ethics

    12

    Total

    100

    40

    Part B: Finance and Trade

    7. Sources of Business Finance

    30

    20

    8. Small Business

    16

    9. Internal Trade

    30

    20

    10. International Business

    14

    Total

    90

    40

    Project Work (One)

    30

    20

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Business Study Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Economics

    The Economics syllabus is divided into two parts to be studied separately by the students. Check the exam pattern for the same from the table given below:

    Units

    Marks

    Periods

    Part A: Statistics for Economics

    Introduction

    15

    10

    Collection, Organisation, and Presentation of Data

    30

    Statistical Tools and Interpretation

    25

    50

    Total

    40

    Part B: Introductory Microeconomics

    Introduction

    04

    10

    Consumer's Equilibrium and Demand

    14

    40

    Producer Behaviour and Supply

    14

    35

    Forms of Market and Price Determination under Perfect Competition with Simple Applications

    08

    25

    Total

    40

    200

    Part C: Project Work

    20

    20

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Economics Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Biology

    The theory exam in Biology will be conducted for 70 marks. Check the exam pattern from the table given below:

    Unit Title

    Marks

    I. Diversity of Living Organisms

    15

    II. Structural Organization in Plants and Animals

    10

    III. Cell: Structure and Function

    15

    IV. Plant Physiology

    12

    V. Human Physiology

    18

    Total

    70

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Biology Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Chemistry

    The Chemistry exam will be conducted for 70 marks and the remaining marks will be allotted for the practical exams:

    S.No

    Unit

    No. of Periods

    Marks

    1

    Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

    12

    7

    2

    Structure of Atom

    14

    9

    3

    Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties

    8

    6

    4

    Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

    14

    7

    5

    Chemical Thermodynamics

    16

    9

    6

    Equilibrium

    14

    7

    7

    Redox Reactions

    6

    4

    8

    Organic Chemistry: Some Basic Principles and Techniques

    14

    11

    9

    Hydrocarbons

    12

    10

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Chemistry Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Physics

    Students can check out the information about the Physics exam pattern from the table given below:

    Unit No.

    Unit Title

    Marks

    Unit–I

    Physical World and Measurement

    23

    Chapter–2: Units and Measurements

    Unit–II

    Kinematics

    Chapter–3: Motion in a Straight Line

    Chapter–4: Motion in a Plane

    Unit–III

    Laws of Motion

    Chapter–5: Laws of Motion

    Unit–IV

    Work, Energy and Power

    17

    Chapter–6: Work, Energy and Power

    Unit–V

    Motion of System of Particles and Rigid Body

    Chapter–7: System of Particles and Rotational Motion

    Unit–VI

    Gravitation

    Chapter–8: Gravitation

    Unit–VII

    Properties of Bulk Matter

    20

    Chapter–9: Mechanical Properties of Solids

    Chapter–10: Mechanical Properties of Fluids

    Chapter–11: Thermal Properties of Matter

    Unit–VIII

    Thermodynamics

    Chapter–12: Thermodynamics

    Unit–IX

    Behaviour of Perfect Gases and Kinetic Theory of Gases

    Chapter–13: Kinetic Theory

    Unit–X

    Oscillations and Waves

    10

    Chapter–14: Oscillations

    Chapter–15: Waves

    Total

    -

    70

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Physics Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    Mathematics

    The theory paper in Mathematics will be conducted for 80 marks. Check the exam pattern from the table given below:

    No.

    Units

    No. of Periods

    Marks

    I

    Sets and Functions

    60

    23

    II

    Algebra

    50

    25

    III

    Coordinate Geometry

    50

    12

    IV

    Calculus

    40

    08

    V

    Statistics and Probability

    40

    12

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Math Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

    History

    The theory paper in History will be conducted for 80 marks. Check out the exam pattern from the table given below:

    Section Title

    Theme No.

    Theme Title

    No. of Periods

    Marks

    Reading of World History

    I. EARLY SOCIETIES

    1

    Introduction of World History

    10

    2

    Introduction Timeline I (6 MYA to 1 BCE)

    05

    3

    Writing and City Life

    20

    10

    II. EMPIRES

    4

    Introduction Timeline II (c. 100 BCE to 1300 CE)

    05

    5

    An Empire Across Three Continents

    20

    10

    6

    Nomadic Empires

    20

    10

    III. CHANGING TRADITIONS

    7

    Introduction Timeline III (c. 1300 to 1700)

    05

    8

    The Three Orders

    20

    10

    9

    Changing Cultural Traditions

    20

    10

    IV. TOWARDS MODERNIZATION

    10

    Introduction Timeline IV (c. 1700 to 2000)

    05

    11

    Displacing Indigenous Peoples

    20

    10

    12

    Paths to Modernisation

    20

    15

    Map

    Map work of the related Themes

    15

    05

    Theory Total

    210

    80

    Project Work

    25

    20

    TOTAL

    210

    100

    Political Science

    The theory exam will be conducted for 80 marks. Check out the exam pattern regarding the same from the table given below:

    Chapter No.

    Chapter Name

    No. of Periods

    Marks Allotted

    PART A - INDIAN CONSTITUTION AT WORK

    1

    Constitution: Why and How?

    12

    8

    2

    Rights in the Indian Constitution

    8

    3

    Election and Representation

    14

    6

    4

    Executive

    14

    5

    Legislature

    12

    6

    Judiciary

    14

    7

    Federalism

    14

    6

    8

    Local Governments

    10

    4

    9

    Constitution as a Living Document

    6

    4

    10

    The Philosophy of the Constitution

    6

    PART B - POLITICAL THEORY

    1

    Political Theory: An Introduction

    8

    4

    2

    Freedom

    10

    3

    Equality

    12

    4

    Social Justice

    12

    6

    5

    Rights

    14

    4

    6

    Citizenship

    12

    7

    Nationalism

    15

    8

    Secularism

    16

    6

    Also Read: CBSE Class 11 Half Yearly Question Papers

    CBSE Class 11 Grading System 2025

    The grading system for classes 11th and 12th is similar. Students will be provided grades based on the marks that they have achieved in the different subjects. Only the grades will be reflected in the marksheets according to the rules and regulations followed by CBSE. Check out the absolute CBSE Class 11 Grading System 2025 from the table given below:

    Marks Range

    Grade

    Grade Point

    91-100

    A1

    10.0

    81-90

    A2

    9.0

    71-80

    B1

    8.0

    61-70

    B2

    7.0

    51-60

    C1

    6.0

    41-50

    C2

    5.0

    33-40

    D

    4.0

    21-32

    E1

    C

    00-20

    E2

    C

    CBSE Class 11 Passing Criteria 2025

    Minimum passing marks are required to be scored by the students in class 11th so that they can be promoted to class 12th. The subjects in class 11th become the base for the class 12th curriculum so it is important to work hard in 11th too. Check more information about the passing criteria from the pointers given below:

    • To be declared pass in class 11th, students must achieve at least 33% marks in all subjects.
    • For subjects with practical exams, students must score 33% marks separately in practical as well as theory exams.
    • The overall aggregate score of the students must also exceed 33%.

    CBSE Class 11 Subjects Criteria 2025

    Students will have to appear for 6 subjects, out of which 5 subjects are compulsory, and 1 will be an optional subject, based on the stream they have chosen. Check the subject criteria for class 11th students here:

    Subject Type Number Name of the Subject
    Compulsory Subjects Subject 1 Hindi Elective or Hindi Core or English Elective or English Core
    Compulsory Subjects Subject 2 Anyone Language from Group – L not opted as Subject 1
    OR
    Anyone Elective from the Group – A
    Compulsory Subjects Subjects 3, 4, and 5 Any three electives either from Group – A Or Group-S
    OR
    Any three from the Combination of Group – A and Group – S
    Additional Subject (Optional) Subject 6 Anyone elective or Language from any subject group
    Subjects of Internal Assessment Subjects 7 to 9 (to be taken by all Regular Candidates) Health and Physical Education, Work Experience, General Studies

    CBSE Class 11 Preparation Tips 2024-25

    Students can score good marks in class 11th by following the tips and techniques mentioned below:

    • Try to make notes as soon as you finish a particular lecture during your school or your tuition. Go through the notes once you reach home.
    • Focus on understanding the concepts clearly because these concepts will be highly beneficial for class 12th.
    • Try to revise through the sample papers available on the Internet or the official CBSE academic website.
    • Make sure to finish your CBSE Class 11 Syllabus 2024-25 as soon as possible so that you can focus on revision for the last one or two months of the preparations.
    • Always take small breaks between your study sessions so that you do not overburden yourself by constantly working hard.

    Students need to get good marks in class 11 because this becomes the base for class 12th. The official PDFs of the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 for each subject are now uploaded on the official website of CBSE Academics and must be used to prepare a study plan. Make sure to not ignore class 11th and work hard so that you can understand the class 12th concepts much more easily.

    FAQs

    Is it compulsory to appear for an additional subject as per the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25?

    The additional subject is optional as per the latest CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25. Only five subjects are compulsory to appear for in the class 11th and class 12th board exams. 

    How many language papers are there in the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25?

    Students can appear for a maximum of three language papers as per the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25. It is compulsory to appear for one language paper as subject one. Your second subject can also be a language paper and you can also choose one language for your additional subject too. 

    Are there any changes in the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25?

    There are no major changes regarded in the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25. However, some changes according to the national education policy will be reflected in the overall curriculum for CBSE from the academic year 2024-25. 

    Is the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 different from class 12th?

    CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 is not different from class 12th however the content of the syllabus might be changed. The students still have to appear for 5 major subject exams followed by one additional optional subject and three internal assessment subjects for both classes. 

    Is the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 available online?

    The Central Board of Secondary Education releases combined PDFs for the CBSE Class 11 Exam Pattern 2024-25 and Class 12th Exam Pattern. Students can access these PDFs by clicking on the curriculum option present on the menu bar after visiting the official website of CBSE Academics. 

    /cbse-class-11-exam-pattern-brd

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