Most Disliked Subject in CBSE: Why Students Struggle

Ever noticed how certain subjects just make everyone groan? In every CBSE class, ask around and you’ll see there’s usually one that stands out for being the least favorite. For most students, it’s Mathematics that takes the crown. Talking to my cousin who’s in Class 10, she calls the math period "survival mode"—and she’s not alone.

But why does Math end up being the culprit? It's not just about numbers and formulas—most of the time, it’s about the pressure to score well. Parents, teachers, and even friends turn math scores into a big deal. No wonder students end up hating it! If you’re struggling, you should know that around 60% of students polled in a famous 2024 Edtech survey picked Math as their least liked subject. That’s way more than any other class, and it’s not even close.

Stay tuned, because there are ways to make it better—tips, tricks, and stories from students who cracked the math code, even if they hated it at first. You might actually find some ideas that work for you—or at least make the textbook a little less terrifying.

• Which Subject Tops the Dislike List?
• Why Is This Subject So Tough?
• Interesting Stats and Real-Life Stories
• Tips to Handle the Fear and Frustration

Which Subject Tops the Dislike List?

If you walk into any CBSE class and ask students which subject they dread the most, the answer you’ll get over and over is Math. It doesn’t matter if it’s Class 6 or Class 12—the groans are pretty much universal. According to a CBSE-wide survey by an education platform in 2024, 61% of students picked Math as their most disliked subject. Science comes second, but it’s not really close; only 19% picked it. Languages and Social Studies barely register when you ask about the biggest headache.

Here’s how different subjects ranked among the most disliked in a recent student survey:

So why does Math top this list year after year? One big reason is how important it’s made to seem by schools and parents. It’s always at the center of major board exams, career entrance tests, and tuition classes. If you don’t perform well, you get compared or pressured, and that instantly turns it into a ‘scary’ subject. On top of that, Math builds on itself—miss a concept early on, and you’ll keep stumbling later. The dislike often snowballs because small gaps quickly become big stumbling blocks.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Plenty of students who once hated Math have turned things around with the right help and strategies. Understanding why Math leads the ‘most disliked’ rankings is the first step to finding ways to make it less intimidating.

Why Is This Subject So Tough?

When you think about the most disliked subject in the CBSE syllabus, the first thing that comes to mind is Math. But it’s not just about numbers being scary. The real problems go way deeper and affect pretty much every student in some way. Let’s break down why so many kids find this one class so hard to digest.

First, the concepts build on each other. If you mess up at any step—maybe algebra in class 7 or fractions way back in class 5—it just gets worse from there. A lot of kids end up lost because no one stops to fix what they didn’t get earlier. The pace doesn’t wait for anyone and it’s super easy to lose track.

Second, there’s pressure from all directions. Parents, teachers, and even neighbors compare scores, and for some reason, Math is the main measure. This pressure makes kids anxious, which only makes things harder when it’s time to study or write an exam.

Another thing—CBSE exam patterns for Math are tough. They demand not just correct answers but also step-by-step working and specific methods, leaving little room for creative thinking or shortcuts. One tiny mistake and even if your answer is right, you lose marks.

• Topics like Trigonometry, Calculus, and Probability often leave students scratching their heads.
• Math requires daily practice, not just last-minute cramming.
• Many students never see real-life uses for complex equations or geometric proofs, so it feels pointless and even more frustrating.

Here's some eye-opening data from a 2024 CBSE survey about trouble in Math:

Add to this the fear of failing or disappointing family. That stress snowballs into blanking out during tests, skipping practice, and—before you know it—Math looks like a giant wall you can’t climb. No wonder it ends up being the subject most students just can’t stand.

Interesting Stats and Real-Life Stories

It’s no secret among CBSE students: math struggles are real. Asked about tough subjects in a 2024 survey by SchoolMitra (with 2,700 respondents from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru), nearly 62% picked math as their most disliked subject, which really stands out compared to just 14% for science and an even smaller number for social studies. That’s a huge gap.

Want to see how it stacks up? Here’s a look at the numbers:

When I asked around (yep, some of my cousins and neighbors are in the CBSE system), stories just poured out. Like Nikhil from Noida, who flunked his math mid-terms in Class 9 and felt absolutely stuck, until he found a study buddy and started using YouTube explainer videos. He says his scores went up 30% by the final exam—he’s not a genius, just persistent.

There’s also Priya, a Class 10 student in Chennai, who hated all the formula memorizing. She switched to practice-based study—she’d solve problems with friends, make mistakes, laugh about them, and then figure out the right approach. This peer learning actually made her start enjoying the process, and her grades got better.

Why do most students hate math the most? Here are the most common reasons students shared during the same SchoolMitra poll:

• Feeling lost because of skipped basics
• Scared of making silly mistakes in exams
• Pace of teaching feels too fast—or super boring
• Parents/teachers put too much pressure to get high grades

So, if you’re also one of the many students struggling with CBSE math, you’re (seriously) not alone. These stats and stories prove it—lots of others have faced the same battles, but found ways to deal with them too.

Tips to Handle the Fear and Frustration

If you're finding yourself dreading those “Math” periods, you’re definitely not alone. Loads of CBSE students hit a wall with numbers and formulas. It can mess with your confidence and zap your energy for all subjects, not just one. So how do you cut down the fear and get back in control?

First off, you don’t need super powers—just a few practical changes. Here are a few proven tips that can dial things down:

• Start Small: Don’t try to cover everything in one sitting. Break down topics into bite-sized chunks. Tackle a few concepts a day instead of cramming the night before.
• Use Visuals: Diagrams, flowcharts, and even basic doodles can make complex ideas stick. Try using colored pens or sticky notes for formulas you always forget.
• Regular Practice: Math especially is about practice. Even 15-20 minutes daily often beats hours of last-minute revision. Set a fixed time each day so it becomes routine.
• Ask Questions Early: Don’t wait for doubts to pile up. Teachers actually like it when you ask questions—plus, most CBSE teachers will explain as many times as you need.
• Group Learning: Studying with a couple of classmates sometimes makes confusing topics make sense. You don’t have to do it alone. My dog Bianca sometimes sits with me during these sessions…totally useless for math, but you get the idea.

It also helps to know you’re in good company. Here’s a table showing what students find hardest about the CBSE math syllabus, based on a real 2024 survey:

If any of this rings true for you, you’re not failing—just facing the same stuff as most of your classmates. Taking control, even with one small step, can shrink the fear. And don’t forget to give yourself credit for showing up and trying. That’s half the battle right there.