CBSE Class 8 

The Central Board of Education (CBSE) administers the class 8 exam, a prerequisite for all NCERT-based schools to be affiliated with CBSE. The students need to stay in touch with the school authorities regularly so they get to know the dates of examination or else they can also see the official website.

Class 8 is a significant part of a student's academic journey through higher studies. The material at this stage is designed to assist students in developing analytical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning skills. These abilities, in turn, lead to academic success and personal development.

1.0CBSE Class 8 Subjects

CBSE Class 8 include five major subjects which form the foundation for higher studies and provide a comprehensive understanding of various concepts:

1. English
2. Hindi
3. Math
4. Science 
5. Social Science

It is up to the schools to add Sanskrit, Computer Science, Art, G.K. and Physical Education as extra subjects to the curriculum.

2.0CBSE Class 8 Syllabus

The CBSE Board carefully designs the syllabus for Class 8, which focuses on laying a solid foundation for higher classes. Students must check the syllabus to ensure they study effectively for the exam and achieve good scores.

There are some changes in the New Education Policy (NEP) which every student in class 8 must ensure: 

• Students from any school across India are now required to study three languages. One language can be a foreign language, and two can be native Indian languages.
• Every student has to learn coding in school.

Also Check: Subject-wise syllabus for CBSE Class 8

3.0CBSE Class 8 Exam Pattern 

The class 8 exam pattern is designed carefully by the CBSE board, evaluating a student’s knowledge of the study material with different tests and exams conducted throughout the academic year. Here is the summary of the CBSE Class 6 Exam Pattern:

Type of Exams

Term 1: The assessment for the first half of the session consists of a half-yearly exam and a periodic test totalling 100 marks.

• Periodic Test 1: This 20-mark test is typically held after a few months into the school year.
• Half-Yearly Exam: This 80-mark exam covers the first half of the academic year's syllabus and is conducted at the end of the first term.

Term 2: Similar to the Term 1 exam, the total assessment for the second half of the session is also 100 marks.

• Periodic Test 2: This 20-mark test is conducted midway through the second term.
• Annual Exam: The annual exams, conducted at the end of the academic year, cover the entire syllabus, including the second term and sometimes a few topics from the first term.

Exam Format

• Objective-type questions: These include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), fill-in-the-blanks, true/false, match the following, etc.
• Short Answer Questions: These are typically 2-4 marks each, requiring brief explanations or problem-solving.
• Long Answer Questions: These are usually 5-8 marks each and require detailed explanations, reasoning, or problem-solving.
• Weightage: The distribution of marks among different questions varies, with long-answer questions generally carrying more weight.

Marking Scheme

• Total Marks: Each subject typically has 80-100 marks.
• Internal Assessment: In some schools, internal assessments (such as projects, oral tests, or class activities) account for 10-20% of the final grade.
• Final Exam Marks: Depending on the school's policy, the written paper might carry 80-90% of the total marks for the annual exam.

Internal Assessment

Teachers may include internal assessments as part of the overall evaluation. These may include:

• Project Work: Assignments and projects on various subjects.
• Class Participation: Active participation in classroom activities and discussions.
• Oral Tests: Oral tests to assess reading, speaking, and listening abilities.
• Notebook Submission: Regularity and neatness of notebook submissions.

Suggested Weightage

Here is the weightage distribution for the assessments at various CBSE Class 6 exam stages. 

• Periodic Tests: 10% each (Term 1 and Term 2)
• Notebook Submission: 5%
• Subject Enrichment Activities: 5%
• Half-Yearly Exam: 40%
• Annual Exam: 40%

4.0CBSE Class 8 Study Materials

Class 8 study materials are designed with the vast NCERT syllabus in mind, ensuring coverage of all the subjects and topics so students can grasp concepts quickly and prepare for their exams.

1. NCERT Textbooks: 

NCERT textbooks are the most crucial study materials since they cover the entire curriculum and set the foundation for Class 8. 

English - HoneyDew; It So Happened

Hindi - वसंत भाग 3, दूर्वा भाग 3

Math - Mathematics NCERT Textbook

Science - Science NCERT Textbook

Social Science - NCERT Textbooks of Civics, History & Geography

2. Additional Books:

Mathematics: RD Sharma and RS Aggarwal for additional practice problems.

Science: Use the Lakhmir Singh and Manjit Kaur books for detailed explanations and practice questions, as well as S. Chand for various questions to practise. 

Social Science: Together With Social Science and All in One Social Science by Arihant.

CBSE Class 8 Preparation and Strategy

1. Understand the Syllabus: The first step in your academic journey is to thoroughly understand the entire school syllabus of the CBSE curriculum in all subjects. This will help you identify areas that are vital and decide the way you will spend your study time.
2. Create a Study Schedule: Create a timetable with dedicated study time for each subject. Maintain a balance across all subjects, devoting more time to areas where you can improve.
3. Regular Revision: As part of the weekly schedule, set aside some time to go over what you have learned. This action helps strengthen your memory, allowing you to retain the concepts for a longer time. For summarising and quick revision, the note creation or use of a flashcard.
4. Practise with PYQs: Solve previous years' papers of standard question papers to enhance and review your skills. Furthermore, familiarise yourself with the examination pattern and the types of questions.
5. Take Care of Your Health: Take regular breaks from your study sessions to relax and rejuvenate. This will prevent fatigue and maintain your motivation.