CBSE Class 8 Maths Syllabus

Mathematics will always be the most intriguing subject for many students since it requires logical thinking and presence of mind. However, a complete understanding of the concepts and practising sums on a regular basis can increase the analytical power of the students. CBSE Class 8 Math Syllabus is designed in a way that offers a preliminary stage of the competitive exams. If you want to score better in the board examinations, gaining understanding of the syllabus of Class 8 Mathematics is the beginning of everything.

CBSE students should start strengthening their base in Mathematics from an early stage. Students need to be regular and  attentive in their class lectures. Along with the NCERT textbook, students should solve questions from NCERT Exemplars to build a strong foundation. Practising the NCERT books is the best way, to begin with, strategic preparation.

CBSE Class 8 Math Syllabus for 2023 – 2024 Examination – Free PDF Download

Math Syllabus For Class 8 CBSE is available on Extramarks. The students can download the syllabus from the link below and can gain a good understanding of the chapters along with the topics and formulas based on it. 

What Does 8th Class Math Syllabus Include?

The CBSE Syllabus for Class 8 Math includes a variety of chapters and the students need to have good grasp in each of the chapters in order to ace in the final examination. Let’s take a better look at the topics to have a better understanding. 

Chapter 1: Rational Numbers 1.1 Introduction
1.2 Properties of Rational Numbers
1.3 Representation of Rational Numbers on the Number Line
1.4 Rational Number between Two Rational Numbers
Chapter 2: Linear Equations in One Variable 2.1 Introduction
2.2 Solving Equations which have Linear Expressions on one Side and Numbers on the other Side
2.3 Some Applications
2.4 Solving Equations having the Variable on both sides
2.5 Some More Applications
2.6 Reducing Equations to Simpler Form
2.7 Equations Reducible to the Linear Form
Chapter 3: Understanding Quadrilaterals 3.1 Introduction
3.2 Polygons
3.3 Some of the Measures of the Exterior Angles of a Polygon
3.4 Kinds of Quadrilaterals
3.5 Some Special Parallelograms
Chapter 4: Practical Geometry 4.1 Introduction
4.2 Constructing a Quadrilateral
4.3 Some Special Cases
Chapter 5: Data Handling 5.1 Looking for Information
5.2 Organising Data
5.3 Grouping Data
5.4 Circle Graph or Pie Chart
5.5 Chance and Probability
Chapter 6: Squares and Square Roots 6.1 Introduction
6.2 Properties of Square Numbers
6.3 Some More Interesting Patterns
6.4 Finding the Square of a Number
6.5 Square Roots
6.6 Square Roots of Decimals
6.7 Estimating Square Root
Chapter 7: Cubes and Cube Roots 7.1 Introduction
7.2 Cubes
7.3 Cubes Roots
Chapter 8: Comparing Quantities 8.1 Recalling Ratios and Percentages
8.2 Finding the Increase and Decrease Percent
8.3 Finding Discounts
8.4 Prices Related to Buying and Selling (Profit and Loss)
8.5 Sales Tax/Value Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax
8.6 Compound Interest
8.7 Deducing a Formula for Compound Interest
8.8 Rate Compounded Annually or Half Yearly (Semi Annually)
8.9 Applications of Compound Interest Formula
Chapter 9: Algebraic Expressions and Identities 9.1 What are Expressions?
9.2 Terms, Factors and Coefficients
9.3 Monomials, Binomials and Polynomials
9.4 Like and Unlike Terms
9.5 Addition and Subtraction of Algebraic Expressions
9.6 Multiplication of Algebraic Expressions: Introduction
9.7 Multiplying a Monomial by a Monomial
9.8 Multiplying a Monomial by a Polynomial
9.9 Multiplying a Polynomial by a Polynomial
9.10 What is an Identity?
9.11 Standard Identities
9.12 Applying Identities
Chapter 10: Visualising Solid Shapes 10.1 Introduction
10.2 View of 3D-Shapes
10.3 Mapping Space Around Us
10.4 Faces, Edges and Vertices
Chapter 11: Mensuration 11.1 Introduction
11.2 Let us Recall
11.3 Area of Trapezium
11.4 Area of General Quadrilateral
11.5 Area of Polygons
11.6 Solid Shapes
11.7 Surface Area of Cube, Cuboid and Cylinder
11.8 Volume of Cube, Cuboid and Cylinder
11.9 Volume and Capacity
Chapter 12: Exponents and Powers 12.1 Introduction
12.2 Powers with Negative Exponents
12.3 Laws of Exponents
12.4 Use of Exponents to Express Small Numbers in Standard Form
Chapter 13: Direct and Inverse Proportions 13.1 Introduction
13.2 Direct Proportion
13.3 Inverse Proportion
Chapter 14: Factorisation 14.1 Introduction
14.2 What is Factorisation?
14.3 Division of Algebraic Expressions
14.4 Division of Algebraic Expressions Continued (Polynomial / Polynomial)
14.5 Can you Find the Error?
Chapter 15: Introduction to Graphs 15.1 Introduction
15.2 Linear Graphs
15.3 Some Applications
Chapter 16: Playing with Numbers 16.1 Introduction
16.2 Numbers in General Form
16.3 Game with Numbers
16.4 Letters for Digits
16.5 Test of Divisibility

Most Interesting Chapter of 8th Grade

One of the most interesting chapters of CBSE syllabus for class Mathematics is ‘Playing with Numbers’, Chapter 16. It consists of different Mathematical problems that require solving puzzles to get the right  answer. It is not just a fun way to deal with complex computation but also helps students to improve their analytical decision-making and reasoning abilities which are very important for competitive examinations as well as the  board exams. It offers a complete understanding of whole numbers, rational numbers, natural numbers and integers as well by playing with Mathematical puzzles.

Marks Distribution of Class 8 CBSE Math Syllabus

The question paper for Class 8 Mathematics contains four different sets of questions based on marks. Each of these sets carries different marks and questions are set according  to marks, they vary from from short answer type to long answer type questions..  

Level of Difficulty 

Difficulty level Marks (%)
EASY 30
AVERAGE 55
DIFFICULT 15

Paper 1 – Summative Assessment 1 or Half Yearly 

Chapter wise Weightage and Marks distribution

Chapters Marks
Rational Numbers 6
Understanding Quadrilateral 7
Playing with Numbers 3
Linear Equations in One Variable 6
Square & Square Roots 5
Cube & Cube Roots 6
Comparing Quantity 7

The total mark is 40 for this examination however; the Half Yearly examination marks and pattern can differ from school to school while most of them follow this standard CBSE pattern. 

Question Type Marks Number of Questions Total
Very Short Answer 1 8 8
Short Answer – I 2 4 8
Short Answer – II 3 4 12
Long Answer 4 3 12
Total 19 40

  Paper 2 – Summative Assessment 2 or Finals 

Chapter wise Weightage and Marks distribution

Chapters Marks
Practical Geometry 8
Data Handling 8
Algebraic Expressions and Identities 18
Visualizing Solid Shapes  3
Mensuration 11
Exponent and Powers 6
Direct and Inverse Variation 8
Introduction To Graph 8

There will be no choice for overall questions however; the students will have the opportunity to choose between two questions of 2 marks, 3 marks and 5 marks for the questions. 

Question Type Marks Number of Questions Total
Very Short Answer 1 10 10
Short Answer – I 2 6 12
Short Answer – II 3 6 18
Long Answer 5 6 30
Total 28 70

Preparation Tips for Class 8 Math Syllabus

The NCERT Text Book for Mathematics in Class 8 is enough to embark on a fruitful preparation. However, the student has to invest enough time and practice to master the concepts from each chapter.

  • Note down and practice recallingthe formulas every day
  • Understand the concepts and apply the theories in solving the complex problems
  • Find out CBSE important question from the textbook
  • Solve sums from reference books to get CBSE extra questions
  • Get the CBSE past years’ question papers and CBSE sample papers for Class 8 CBSE from Extramarks
  • Once you are done with one chapter make sure to take CBSE revision notes to keep things in practice

Other than these you can also find the best quality study material from Extramarks which are curated by one of the most experienced and knowledgeable teachers in the field.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

There are a total of four types of questions in Mathematics for Class 8 and out of those the ‘Very Short Answer’ type questions are considered to be the easiest ones. Each of the questions carries 1 mark only. However, there are questions for 2 marks as well. These questions are comparatively easy to solve and take only 1-2 steps. But the students need to be aware of the procedures.

Yes, it is definitely important to strengthen your base from Class 8 if you are looking forward to pursuing Mathematics in future. Basic Mathematics is for the students who are not looking forward to opting Mathematics in their higher studies. On the other hand, Standards Mathematics is more complex and applicable for students who wish to pursue Advanced Mathematics. Either way, Class 8 is considered to be the base of everything.

There are a total of 16 chapters in the Syllabus for Mathematics Class 8 CBSE. The important subtopics are given below,

  • Number System: Rational Numbers, Powers, Squares, Square roots, Cubes, Cube roots, Playing with numbers
  • Ratio and Proportion
  • Algebra: Algebraic Expressions
  • Mensuration
  • Data handling
  • Geometry: Understanding shapes, Representing 3-D in 2-D, Construction
  • Introduction to graphs

The students are encouraged to have a strong hold over these subtopics to score more in the final examination.

Yes, the maximum number of questions on the boards comes from the NCERT textbooks for Class 8 CBSE Mathematics. Clearing the concepts thoroughly will bring more advantages for the students to possess a strong hold over Mathematics. Other than that, the students are recommended to follow the study material provided by Extramarks to acquire more comprehensive knowledge regarding the subject.

It is hard to call a few chapters important as the whole NCERT book is important. There are a total of 16 chapters in Mathematics and the subtopics are interlinked with each other. The question in the examination can come from any part of the syllabus and that is why every chapter is important. The students need to go through each of them in order to ace the finals.