What Are CBSE Competency‑Based Questions and How to Answer Them?

CBSE competency‑based questions challenge you to think, apply knowledge, and solve problems in real contexts. These questions assess your higher-order skills instead of asking you to just recall facts using rote memorisation. In this detailed guide, you will learn what competency‑based questions are, why CBSE uses them, how to prepare, and how to answer them with confidence. We have included practice questions and expert tips. Plus, the guide explains how AllRounder.ai helps you prepare smartly for these important questions.

Understanding Competency‑Based Questions

CBSE competency‑based questions focus on testing real skills. They cover four main areas:

• Knowledge – Do you know the idea?
• Application – Can you use it in a new situation?
• Analysis – Can you break down information and understand it?
• Evaluation – Can you form an opinion based on evidence?

In short, these questions go beyond memorization. They demand deeper thinking and relevance to everyday life. In current CBSE exams, nearly half of all questions in Classes 10 and 12 follow this pattern. The central idea is to nurture critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Why CBSE Introduced CBQs

The move toward competency‑based questions is part of a larger shift influenced by NEP 2020. This educational shift aims to build critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. Early results show notable improvement in student performance since CBQs were introduced. These questions help students understand and analyse, skills essential for real‑world success and competitive exams.

Types of CBSE Competency‑Based Questions

Here are the four main forms:

• Case‑Based: A short paragraph is given, followed by questions that require understanding, analysis, and application. These are real‑world or science‑based.

• Source‑Based / Integrated: Students interpret data, charts, maps, or passages. Answers require reading, analysis, and explanation.

• Assertion‑Reasoning / MCQs: Each question includes a statement and a reason that must be linked correctly.

• Open‑Ended / Higher‑Order Short Answer: These questions ask you to explain or evaluate. You need to apply your knowledge clearly.

In Class 10, around 50% of marks come from competency‑based questions. For Class 12, the marks distribution is around 40%.

Example CBQs with Answers

Example 1: Case‑Based (Science Context)

Scenario:
A farmer in a hot region observes wilting crops by afternoon. He fills clay pots with water and places them upright in the field near each plant. By evening, the soil around the pots is moist even without rain.

Questions: a) Explain how the design of clay pots helps keep the soil moist.
b) What property of clay allows this process?
c) Suggest one modern irrigation method similar to this approach.
d) How does moist soil reduce irrigation cost for the farmer?

Answer Guide:
a) Tiny pores in clay allow slow seepage of water. This drips into the soil over time.
b) The porosity of clay.
c) Drip irrigation or porous clay emitter.
d) Soil stays moist longer. Less watering is required. This saves water and money.

Example 2: Source‑Based (Social Science Context)

Passage:
A small town’s population rose from 10,000 to 15,000 in five years. The number of school students doubled. Yet waste disposal facilities remained limited. Groundwater level dropped significantly.

Questions:
a) Identify two environmental concerns from this scenario.
b) How is increased population linked to higher waste generation?
c) Suggest two local steps to manage waste better.
d) Explain how deforestation worsens groundwater depletion here.

Answer Guide:
a) Groundwater fall and poor waste disposal.
b) More people mean more waste, like food packets and plastics.
c) Segregate waste and promote community composting. Set daily waste pickups.
d) Less tree cover hinders water retention. This leads to faster depletion.

Example 3: Assertion‑Reasoning (Biology)

Question:
Assertion (A): Plants lose water faster under windy conditions.
Reason (R): Wind decreases the humidity around leaf surfaces.

Pick the correct option:

• A and R both true, and R explains A
• A and R both true, but R does not explain A
• A is true; R is false
• A is false; R is true

Answer Guide:
Both statements are true. Lower humidity near leaves on windy days accelerates evaporation. So correct answer is first option.

Example 4: Open‑Ended Math Question

Question:
A cylindrical tank’s radius suddenly shrank due to metal shrinkage. The tank’s volume stayed the same. Explain how the height changed.

Answer Guide:
Using the formula πr²h = volume. When r decreases, h must increase to maintain the same volume. Students should explain the relationship and the steps clearly.

Steps to Answer CBQs Effectively

1. Read Completely
   Don’t jump into answering too soon. Read the paragraph or passage twice to catch all details. Highlight key facts.

2. Identify the Skill Tested
   Ask yourself what is being tested here? Is it analysis, evaluation, problem-solving, or inference?

3. Plan Your Answer
   Pause and jot down bullet points. This keeps your answer clear and avoids missing details.

4. Use Clear Language
   Write simply. Be concise. Use subject‑specific terms when needed.

5. Provide Reasoning
   State both fact and explanation. For instance, don’t just say soil is moist after pot irrigation, explain the how.

6. Keep Time in Mind
   Check the mark value. Longer questions deserve deeper answers but avoid unnecessary extra text to save time.

7. Review
   Leave a minute to proofread. Check for spelling mistakes and missing words.

How to Prepare with Competency‑Based Practice

Here are practical ways to prep:

• Resource Practice
  Download sample papers from CBSE or other reliable publishers. Aim to solve at least two case‑based questions per week.

• Class Discussions
  Work in groups. Discuss answers and feedback helps improve depth and structure.

• Self‑Writing
  Convert theory into your own competency questions. For example, turn a biology concept into a scenario question.

• Use Flashcards
  Write down scenarios or cause‑effect pairs with flashcards. It helps quick recall during reviews.

• Check Sample Answers
  Look for model answers in CBSE guides. Compare your replies to them and note improvement areas.

The Role of AllRounder.ai

AllRounder.ai boosts your CBQ prep with tools designed for this purpose.

• Class 8 Courses
• Class 9 Courses
• Class 10 Courses
• Class 11 Courses
• Class 12 Courses
• CBSE Board Courses
• Educational Games
• Main Website

Features:

• Quiz Variety: You get quizzes that challenge you to apply knowledge, not just recall it.
• Smart Timing: Timed quizzes mimic real exam stress.
• Instant Feedback: You see what part of your answer lost marks.
• Error Analysis: Mistakes are logged and flashcards help memorize the key points.
• Repetition Spacing: Revisit your weak areas at intervals until they improve.

More Sample CBQs for Practice

Example 5: Environmental Science Scenario

Scenario:
After intense rainfall, a local park’s rainwater pools near paved walkways. The water drains slowly and smells bad.

Questions:
a) Why does water pool near paved walkways?
b) What causes the smell?
c) Suggest two modifications to reduce waterlogging.
d) Explain how this practice improves groundwater recharge.

Example 6: Physics Application

Scenario:
A school builds a tilted solar panel at 30° angle. Over months, students notice dust build-up affects performance.

Questions:
a) How does panel angle capture more sunlight?
b) Describe how dust reduces efficiency.
c) Suggest two ways to keep panels clean.
d) Explain how cleaning frequency can be scheduled using water scarcity data.

Example 7: Social Science Analysis

Scenario:
During an election, many first‑time voters use electric scooters to reach polling stations. Some regions face power outages.

Questions:
a) What does this growth in e‑mobility imply for civic awareness?
b) How would power outages impact polling day?
c) Suggest two backup plans to keep EVs charged.
d) Explain how local governments can support sustainable growth.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Be careful about these pitfalls:

• Reading too quickly and missing key details
• Writing incomplete answers that only repeat the scenario
• Using vague language instead of connecting to theory
• Writing beyond time and missing other questions
• Not revising your answer for clarity and correctness

Time Management for CBQs

Timing is key in exams. Set approximate durations:

• 2‑mark CBQs: 3–4 minutes
• 4‑mark questions: 6–8 minutes
• Long case study (8‑10 marks): Up to 12 minutes

Use practice sessions to build pacing. AllRounder.ai lessons help with this.

Tracking Your CBQ Progress

Track your improvement:

• Log your score in each CBQ section
• Track concepts and types you struggle with
• See patterns in your mistakes and gaps
• Use AllRounder.ai analytics to get weekly and monthly progress reports
• Adjust your practice based on low‑score areas

Wrapping It Up

Understanding and answering CBQs well puts you ahead in CBSE exams. These questions build critical thinking and problem-solving skills that go beyond textbook knowledge. By practicing example questions, following structured answer planning, and using tools like AllRounder.ai, you build both confidence and competence.

Keep practicing, stay consistent, and treat every CBQ as an opportunity to learn and grow. You are preparing not just for exams but to think independently and analytically in life.