Hardest Subjects in CBSE: What Students Really Struggle With

When we talk about the hardest subjects in CBSE, the core academic disciplines that define the Indian secondary school curriculum and are heavily weighted in board exams and competitive entrance tests. Also known as CBSE core subjects, these are the ones that decide whether a student gets into IIT, NEET, or just barely passes. It’s not about how much you study—it’s about how well you understand the structure, the traps, and the patterns hidden in each question.

Among these, CBSE Physics, the subject where theory meets real-world application under high-pressure exam conditions. Also known as CBSE Class 12 Physics, it’s the most feared because it rewards deep conceptual clarity over memorization. Students lose marks not because they’re bad at math, but because they don’t see how force connects to energy, or how a circuit behaves under changing voltage. Then there’s CBSE Mathematics, the subject that separates the top scorers from the rest, not by intelligence, but by consistency and pattern recognition. Also known as CBSE Class 10 and 12 Math, it’s the one where a single misstep in algebra or calculus can cost you five marks—and that’s often the difference between a 95% and a 90%. And CBSE Chemistry, the subject that seems easy until you realize it’s testing your memory, logic, and attention to detail all at once. Also known as CBSE Physical, Organic, and Inorganic Chemistry, it’s the only one where you can score fast—if you know the exact reactions, exceptions, and naming rules. The trick? Physics needs thinking, Math needs practice, and Chemistry needs repetition. Most students try to treat them the same way—and that’s why they struggle.

What you won’t find in textbooks is how top scorers actually tackle these subjects. They don’t memorize every formula. They don’t solve 100 problems a day. They learn how to spot the question type before reading the full problem. They know which chapters give the most marks with the least effort. They use NCERT like a weapon, not a chore. And they stop comparing themselves to others who seem to ‘get it’ faster. The truth? The hardest subjects in CBSE aren’t hard because they’re impossible—they’re hard because they’re misunderstood.

Below, you’ll find real advice from students who cracked JEE and NEET, guides on how to study each subject without burning out, and comparisons that show why some topics are easier to master than others. No theory. No fluff. Just what actually works.