RENUKA RAI | Thimphu
Mathematics and science subjects remain among the most challenging areas for students in Bhutan’s Council for School Examinations and Assessment (BCSEA) examinations, according to the Students’ Performance Report 2025.The report highlights that despite overall improvements in pass rates, many students continue to record lower marks in subjects that require strong analytical thinking, conceptual understanding, and numerical problem-solving.
The examination results for Class XII show that while language and humanities subjects recorded relatively higher scores, mathematics and several science subjects such as physics and biology ranked lower in terms of national mean scores.
Education experts say the trend reflects the continued difficulty students face in subjects that demand strong foundations in calculations, scientific reasoning, and logical analysis.
The report indicates that mathematics remains one of the lowest-scoring subjects among students.
A total of 2,164 students appeared for the mathematics examination, including 1,320 male students and 844 female students. Out of these candidates, 1,133 students passed, resulting in a pass percentage of 52.36 percent.
The national mean score for mathematics was 52.44 marks, placing it among the lowest-performing subjects in the national examination.
Education analysts say mathematics requires a high level of conceptual understanding and continuous practice, which many students struggle to maintain throughout their school years.
Topics such as algebra, calculus, and complex equations often require students to apply multiple steps of reasoning, making the subject more demanding compared to many other disciplines.
Teachers also note that gaps in foundational mathematical skills developed during earlier grades can significantly affect performance in higher classes.
They say when students do not fully grasp basic concepts in lower secondary levels, they often find advanced mathematical topics difficult to understand.
The report also shows that students taking Business Mathematics faced even greater challenges. Business Mathematics recorded the lowest national mean score of 47.15 marks, with 3,641 students appearing for the subject.
Out of these candidates, only 1,480 students passed, resulting in a pass rate of 40.65 percent. This makes Business Mathematics one of the most difficult subjects for students in the national examination.
The subject combines mathematical calculations with business-related applications, including financial formulas, statistics, and commercial problem-solving.
Many students struggle with applying theoretical formulas to real-life business scenarios, which affects their performance.
Science subjects also recorded moderate to lower scores compared to humanities and language subjects. Physics, in particular, remains a challenging subject for many students.
According to the report, 4,769 students appeared for the physics examination, including 2,183 male students and 2,586 female students. Among them, 3,715 students passed, resulting in a pass rate of about 77.9 percent.
The national mean score for physics was 57.86 marks, which is higher than mathematics but still lower than many language and humanities subjects.
Physics is often considered difficult because it requires both theoretical understanding and numerical calculations.
Education specialists say physics requires students to understand abstract concepts and apply them logically to different situations.
They added without regular practice and strong mathematical foundations, students may find it difficult to answer problem-based questions.
Biology, another major science subject, recorded slightly better results compared to physics and mathematics but still showed signs of difficulty among students.
The report indicates that 3,411 students appeared for the biology examination, including 1,183 male students and 2,228 female students.
Out of these candidates, 2,351 students passed, resulting in a pass rate of 68.92 percent. The national mean score for biology was 56.55 marks.
In contrast, Chemistry recorded a slightly higher mean score of 61.09 marks. A total of 4,770 students appeared for the subject, and 3,831 students passed, resulting in a pass rate of 80.31 percent.
Despite its relatively higher score among science subjects, chemistry still presents challenges for many students, particularly in sections involving chemical equations, formulas, and numerical calculations.
Education experts say the performance trends seen in mathematics and science subjects are not unique to Bhutan.
Around the world, students often find subjects that require strong analytical reasoning and calculations more difficult compared to those based on writing and conceptual explanations.
Another factor contributing to the challenges in mathematics and science is the level of difficulty of examination questions.
Many questions in these subjects are application-based, meaning students must apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems rather than simply recall memorized information.
Strengthening foundational learning in earlier grades is seen as a key step toward improving performance in mathematics and science subjects.
Teachers say when students build strong numeracy and analytical skills during primary and lower secondary education, they are more likely to succeed in advanced subjects in higher classes.
Education specialists also emphasize the importance of encouraging students to develop confidence in these subjects. Fear or anxiety about mathematics and science can discourage students from fully engaging with the subject matter.
They added providing additional support through tutoring, peer learning, and extra practice sessions could help students overcome these challenges.
Despite the difficulties observed in mathematics and science, education officials say many students continue to demonstrate strong academic potential when provided with the right support and learning environment.
