Explained: CBSE Two-Tier Difficulty Level for Science, Social Science Exams – The Times of India
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will introduce a two-tier difficulty level for Science and Social Science for Class 9 from and 10. The changes will be effective for Class 9 from the 2025-27 academic year, and Class 10 from 2027-28. The Board is planning to introduce numerous changes in order to mitigate academic pressure, and providing flexibility. The two-tier difficulty level for Science and Social Science subjects aligns with the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
According to the notice released recently, students will have the flexibility to choose subjects for Board exams based on their interests. The revised structure will focus on assessing core competencies rather than rote memorisation, making the exams more accessible. Any student attending school regularly and making a basic effort in class should be able to pass and perform well without extensive additional preparation.
Additionally, to reduce the high-stakes nature of Board exams, students will be allowed to take these exams up to two times in a school year—one main examination and one improvement attempt, if needed. Over time, Board exams may evolve further, incorporating modular, semester-based, or other flexible examination models to ease student stress and lessen the coaching culture.
Understanding the two-tier system
The two-tier system will offer students the choice between two levels of difficulty:
- Standard Level: Formulated for students who wish to pursue higher studies in science or social science-intensive fields.
- Basic Level: Intended for students who do not plan to pursue advanced studies in these subjects and prefer a simplified curriculum.
CBSE chairperson Rahul Singh confirmed that the initiative was approved at the Board’s curriculum committee meeting and is awaiting final endorsement according to a TNN report. “The offer will be available from the 2026-27 academic year once NCERT textbooks are out,” he stated.
Why is CBSE introducing this system?
CBSE aims to create a more student-centric examination framework that accommodates varying learning abilities. This initiative is expected to:
- Reduce stress among students who do not wish to specialise in Science or Social Science.
- Allow students to select subject difficulty levels based on their aptitude and career aspirations.
- Align with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which advocates differentiated learning levels.
Implementation and choice flexibility
The Board has indicated that students will be given a designated period to select between standard and basic levels. Additionally, there may be flexibility to switch within this timeframe to better suit their learning needs.
Singh also mentioned that the exact implementation framework is yet to be finalised. The Board is considering multiple approaches:
- Separate textbooks for each difficulty level.
- A single textbook supplemented with additional content for advanced learners.
- A uniform textbook with different sets of examination papers based on difficulty levels.
Impact on exam strategies and student decisions
The introduction of dual-level assessments in Science and Social Science will significantly alter how students approach their studies and examinations. Some key changes include:
- Personalized learning paths: Students who struggle with certain subjects can opt for a more accessible syllabus, ensuring better comprehension and performance.
Exam preparation strategies : Those opting for the standard level will need to prepare more rigorously, whereas basic-level students can focus on core concepts without the pressure of advanced topics.
- Career planning: Students aiming for careers in medicine, engineering, or research may prefer the standard level to build a strong foundation, while others targeting humanities or vocational fields may choose the basic level.
Learning from the Mathematics Model
CBSE’s two-tier Mathematics system, introduced earlier, serves as a reference for this initiative. In the 2023-24 Board exams, 15,88,041 students registered for Mathematics Standard, while 6,79,560 opted for Mathematics Basic. The success of this model suggests that students benefit from choosing an appropriate difficulty level based on their future plans.
