One question arises: what if I attempt all extra questions in the CBSE exam?
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts 10th and 12th examination in which extra questions will be provided. This Extra question acts as an optional question in which students can opt for the question in which they are comfortable.
Many students ask whether they can attempt every question or not. However, CBSE states that students should attempt only the required number of questions and should avoid attempting more questions.
It is ideal for applicants to attempt the questions first which they know very best. However, if students have a lot of time then they can attempt the extra questions, but only the best answers and score will be taken into consideration.
Table of Contents
Can We Attempt Extra Questions in CBSE Board?
No, CBSE does not state any students to attend extra questions as, it only leads to wastage of time and confusion. However, if time is left and students want to attempt extra questions, than it is their choice and no extra marks will be provided according to CBSE FAQs.
As per the CBSE, children should avoid attempting additional questions as it not only takes more time but also makes it confusing for teachers to evaluate.
Children should keep in mind that they should attempt the easy question first and then go for the complex one. It is not necessary for kids to write all the questions in a sequence. They can write it as per their convenience and the answers which they know very well.
Children should avoid writing additional questions to save their time, as last-minute question paper revisions are important.
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How Extra Questions Work in CBSE Board Exams?
Extra questions in a CBSE board acts as an optional subject in which students can write as per their best known questions. The question paper of CBSE provides choice questions in every section of the paper.
For example: If a Science Paper has Section A, B, C and D, so in every section there will be 2 to 3 additional questions, in which students have to attempt the questions in which they are comfortable.
1. Question Paper Structure:
The question paper of CBSE contains three or four sections known as MCQs, short answer questions and long answers questions.
Every subject will be a total of 100 marks in which 80 marks will be provided for theories and 20 marks for practical. In every section of CBSE questions there will be additional questions in which candidates attempt as per their choice.
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2. Choice Mechanisms: Internal Choice vs Additional Questions
The choice mechanism of the CBSE exam also offers internal choice and additional questions. In the internal choice students have to select only one option if the internal choice is provided.
On the other hand, in external questions students will be provided to choose from the sections, such as section A or section B. But mostly CBSE gives internal choices for exams.
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CBSE Guidelines for Attempting Extra Questions in CBSE Board
CBSE states some guidelines which students should follow for smooth conduction of the examination. These guidelines state whether students should attempt extra questions or not. Here you can check the guidelines mentioned by CBSE for exams.
1. Attempt Extra Question only if Time is Available
According to CBSE, students should attempt only those questions in which they are comfortable and there is no need to attempt extra questions.
However, if a lot of time is there and if students want to attempt extra questions they can go for it. But only the best answers will be taken into consideration for the scoring purpose.
2. Start with Simple Question
Students should start writing their questions with a simple one. This allows students to boost their confidence and saves time as well as enhances the critical thinking skills in order to go for tough questions.
3. Don’t Focus on Long Question Attempt Another One
CBSE also guides students to attempt the questions in which they are better, and should avoid focusing on questions which take longer time. As students can attempt long questions after completing their shorter questions this will boost their confidence and enhance their ideas.
4. Don’t Leave Any Questions
Students are advised to not leave any questions, and should attempt every question except extra questions. As, attempting every question will increase the chance of getting marks and allows them to qualify their exams.
5. Avoid Stress
While appearing for the examination students should avoid exam stress for health and better performance in the examination. Study stress will lead to poor confidence and hampers students’ intellectual ability.
Subject-Wise Extra Question Rules
Every subject of the CBSE exam follows the same rules for extra questions. Students can attempt the questions in which they are comfortable and confident. However, if students want to attempt the extra questions they can write, however, no extra marks will be provided. The following are the subject-wise extra questions rules.
1. Mathematics Extra Questions
Math paper is also distributed into sections in which students have to attempt every section. However, in every section, there will be one or two additional questions in which students can attempt as per their comfortability.
Maths question papers are lengthy so students are advised to avoid attempting extra questions in order to save their time.
2. Science Extra Questions (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
The science exam also contains optional questions; however, it is only limited to theory subjects. Students can be provided 3 main subjects Physics, Chemistry, and Biology and each subject has 3 to 4 sections.
Candidates have to clear all the sections and every section includes extra questions. However, it is not mandatory to attempt all the extra questions, and no extra marks will be provided to them.
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3. Social Sciences Extra Questions
Social science also includes 3 main subjects: History, Geography and Political Science and each subject has different sections. Candidates need to clear every section in order to qualify for the examination.
Every section will contain additional questions but students need to select only the known one. For the mapping part, students will also be provided with two options for mapping and they also need to select the known one.
4. Languages Extra Questions
For the language paper such as Hindi and English, CBSE also provides extra questions mostly in the literature part such as seen and unseen passages. There are very few extra questions for grammar and children have to attempt the known ones only, as attempting extra questions will only lead to wastage of time.
Recent Changes in CBSE Extra Question Policy
According to CBSE announcements, a new policy for the exams has been implemented which gives flexible learning opportunities to students. The new policy focuses on competency-based education with 40% of weightage in internal assessment.
Also both long and short questions were also reduced and more focus was laid on practical subjects rather than theoretical knowledge. For attempting the extra questions in the exam students will not be awarded extra marks, however best out of one will be taken into consideration for better marks.
This policy focuses on student-centred learning providing autonomy to students. However, this policy isn’t changed and will continue for the 2026 session as well.
Final Thought
On the CBSE Board Exams students are advised to not attempt extra or optional questions as it will only waste their time. It might be pointless to try more questions and receive no extra marks.
It is advised that students start with the questions they feel most comfortable answering and keep their answers to the bare minimum.
Time management and following CBSE guidelines are the keys to achieving high scores in exams even though more questions give you more choices.
