The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has officially released a clarification regarding the question pattern for Semester 4 of the Higher Secondary (HS) examinations 2025-26. The clarification, issued through an official notification dated October 3, 2025, aims to eliminate confusion among students and teachers regarding the structure and marking scheme of the upcoming exams.
The clarification comes in continuation of earlier circulars from the Council, following the introduction of the semester system for Classes 11 and 12 in all state-run and state-aided schools in West Bengal.
WBCHSE Semester 4 Question Pattern: 2x Formula Explained
According to the latest notification, the WBCHSE Semester 4 question pattern will follow a 2x formula, where “x” denotes the number of questions a student is required to attempt from a particular topic or unit. This means that for each required question, students will be given an alternative question from the same topic—essentially doubling the total number of questions available for selection.
For instance, if a student needs to attempt two questions from a topic, they will be presented with four questions (2×2)—two to attempt and two as alternatives. This formula ensures flexibility while maintaining topic balance across all question papers.
Example from Sample Question Pattern
The Council provided a sample format in its notification, highlighting the distribution of questions across major topics. Example topics included:
- Learning and Learning Mechanism
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Educational Technology
- Statistics in Education
Each topic includes short-answer Type 1 and Type 2 questions, along with descriptive-type questions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the syllabus. Alternatives will be provided for each question category, all drawn from the same topic or unit to maintain fairness and topic coherence.
Applicability and Exceptions
WBCHSE clarified that the 2x question formula will apply to most subjects, except for a few exceptional cases that may require a slightly modified pattern due to the nature of the subject or its syllabus structure. The Council assured that any deviations will be clearly indicated in the subject-wise question patterns, which will be released soon on the official website.
The WBCHSE Semester 4 subject-wise question patterns will serve as a detailed reference for both students and educators to understand the question distribution, marks allocation, and choice structure.
WBCHSE Semester System: Overview
In April 2025, WBCHSE introduced the semester system for Classes 11 and 12, marking a significant shift in West Bengal’s higher secondary education framework. Under this system:
- Class 11 is divided into Semester 1 and Semester 2.
- Class 12 is divided into Semester 3 and Semester 4.
The Semester 3 exams were successfully conducted from September 8 to 22, 2025, while the Semester 4 examinations are scheduled to take place from February 12 to 27, 2026.
Council’s Advice to Students
The WBCHSE has urged all students to regularly check official notifications and remain updated on subject-specific question formats. The Council aims to ensure a transparent, structured, and uniform assessment process across all schools.
With the WBCHSE Semester 4 question pattern clarification, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and standardisation in the new semester-based examination system. The 2x question formula, along with the upcoming subject-wise guidelines, is expected to make exam preparation more predictable and structured for students across West Bengal.
