The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) successfully conducted the Class 12 English Core examination across India and overseas centres on Friday, February 24, 2023. The exam was held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, marking a crucial paper for over 16.96 lakh students appearing for the Class 12 board exams this year.
Student Verdict: A Balanced 'Average' Paper
Initial reactions from students emerging from exam centres, including one in Delhi, indicated a consensus that the paper was of an average difficulty level. It was neither exceptionally easy nor particularly hard. Feedback on specific sections, however, varied among candidates.
Some students reported finding the Literature section a bit challenging, while others pointed to the Reading comprehension part as tricky. Conversely, opinions like that of Medha Joshi from VBS, who found the paper "super easy," and Shiva Pandey from the same school, who thought the writing section was "a bit tricky," highlighted the diverse experiences. Many, like Malalay Shirzoi, a Science stream student, expressed confidence in a high score, expecting above 95%.
Expert Analysis from Teachers and Educators
Educators provided a more structured analysis of the question paper. Ms. Anjali Sehgal, Head of the English Department at Global Indian International School (GIIS), Noida, noted that while the paper is traditionally lengthy, her students managed it well. She credited practice with previous years' sample papers for their preparedness and stated that questions in writing and literature were straightforward and syllabus-based.
Ms. Sreemoyee Banerjee, HOD English at Shiv Nadar School Gurugram, described the paper as "direct and reasonably easy." She emphasized that a thorough knowledge of the texts was sufficient for the literature section. However, she pointed out an overuse of analogy-based questions and very few assertion-reasoning type questions. She also noted a minor ambiguity in one MCQ from 'The Third Level' but concluded the paper catered to diverse skill sets.
Jhilmil Somani of Shah International School called the paper "easy yet lengthy," with value-based questions in the reading passage and a direct writing section.
Exam Structure and Key Details
The CBSE Class 12 English Core question paper was divided into three sections: Reading Skills (20 marks), Writing Skills (20 marks), and Literature (40 marks). Students were given a 15-minute reading time before the start of the writing period at 10:30 AM. The board had mandated school uniform and identity cards for regular students, with strict entry rules closing gates by 10:00 AM.
The CBSE Class 12 board exams commenced on February 15, 2023, and will conclude on April 5, 2023. A total of 38 lakh students are appearing for the CBSE Board exams this year, with 21.86 lakh in Class 10 and 16.96 lakh in Class 12.
Overall, the CBSE Class 12 English Exam 2023 has been reported as a balanced and fair paper, aligning with the board's pattern and providing an opportunity for well-prepared students to score high marks. The question paper PDF was made available online after the exam for reference.
