Student Voices Discontent Over Tough CBSE Basic Maths Paper

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) recently commenced the Class 10 board examinations for the academic year 2026-27, starting with the Mathematics papers in two formats: Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard.

Following the exams, numerous students and parents took to social media to express their concerns, with many stating that the Basic paper was unexpectedly difficult.

Among the voices of frustration, a student shared a video on Instagram under the username @onlypratikhya, which quickly went viral. In the video, she displayed the study materials she used while preparing for the exam and pointed out a question on the test that she felt was not included in her studies.

Expressing her disappointment, the student claimed she felt “betrayed” by the exam’s difficulty, arguing that the Mathematics Standard paper seemed easier than the Basic paper, contrary to expectations.

In her video, she stated, “I expect moderate checking, nothing else,” underscoring her feelings of inadequacy after extensive preparation.

Text overlaying her video declared, “CBSE did wrong with the students who took basic maths. In less than 2 months, I've practiced all this yet I got nothing. Feels like betrayal.”

The caption accompanying her post echoed this sentiment, demanding “moderate checking” and deeming the situation “unacceptable.”

Understanding CBSE’s Dual Mathematics System

CBSE introduced the dual-level Mathematics scheme in 2019 to alleviate academic pressure and provide options for students. Under this system, Mathematics Standard is aimed at students intending to pursue further studies in math, while Mathematics Basic is for those not planning to continue with the subject.

Despite both papers covering the same syllabus, the Standard examination is typically perceived as more complex, emphasizing application and problem-solving skills.