(Lucknow): India’s education system is vast and varied, with different boards of education that offer unique challenges for students. From the Tripura Board to the Maharashtra Board, each state has its own level of difficulty in board exams. Let’s dive into a list of the toughest board exams in India and see where the CBSE stands in comparison.
Most Prominent Boards in India
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE):
A national-level board, CBSE is the most widely recognized and follows a systematic syllabus. It is often chosen by students aiming for competitive exams due to its standardized curriculum.
Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE):
ICSE is known for its detailed syllabus, focusing on in-depth subject knowledge and all-round student development. While not the most difficult board exam, it is challenging due to its comprehensive approach.
State Boards:
Each state in India has its own board, such as the Maharashtra State Board and the Tripura Board. These boards vary significantly in difficulty based on regional factors, such as literacy rates and curriculum structures.
The Toughest Board Exams in India
According to the latest NCERT PARAKH report, certain state boards are considered the toughest in terms of the proportion of difficult questions in their exams. Here are the top 5 toughest boards in India based on the percentage of tough questions:
Name of the Board Percentage of Tough Questions
Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE) 66.60%
Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) 53.57%
Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education 44.66%
Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) 44.44%
West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) 33.33%
1. Tripura Board of Secondary Education (TBSE)
TBSE has the highest percentage of tough questions, with 66.60% of its exam questions rated as difficult. Students need a deep understanding and strong analytical skills to clear this board.
2. Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE)
The MSBSHSE follows closely with 53.57% difficult questions. While challenging, with practice and logical reasoning, students can manage to clear it.
3. Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education
The Goa Board includes 44.66% difficult questions, testing students’ critical thinking and practical knowledge.
4. Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE)
Like Goa, CGBSE also features 44.44% difficult questions. Students must be well-prepared with a strong grasp of concepts and reasoning abilities.
5. West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE)
With 33.33% tough questions, the WBBSE ranks as one of the toughest boards in India, demanding deep subject knowledge and critical thinking.
Where Does CBSE Stand?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the most widely accepted and formalized boards in India. However, it does not rank as one of the toughest in terms of question difficulty. CBSE exams are organized in a structured manner and, while they do prepare students for competitive exams, the percentage of difficult questions is generally lower compared to the state boards mentioned above.
Where Does ICSE Stand?
The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) board is known for its academically challenging syllabus, with an extensive range of subjects, including literature. While the ICSE board does not feature on the list of boards with the highest percentage of difficult questions, its broad content coverage and emphasis on analytical skills make it a challenging board to study under.
In conclusion, while the CBSE board may not be the toughest in terms of difficult questions, its widespread popularity, systematic curriculum, and emphasis on competitive exam preparation make it a strong contender. On the other hand, state boards like TBSE and MSBSHSE are widely considered more difficult due to their higher percentages of challenging questions.
