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Free Practice Questions for Maharashtra HSC Psychology

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Key Facts: Maharashtra HSC Psychology Exam

3 hours

Typical Maharashtra HSC Psychology theory paper duration

MSBSHSE HSC exam pattern reporting for Arts subjects including Psychology

35%

Common minimum passing floor per HSC subject under MSBSHSE

Maharashtra HSC pass-mark practice (~35% each subject)

80 + 20

Common theory + internal/project mark split for HSC Psychology (code 48)

Maharashtra HSC subject-wise mark distribution reporting

Subject code 48

Official MSBSHSE HSC subject code for Psychology

MSBSHSE HSC general subject codes (mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm)

Mixed written paper

Official Psychology papers mix objective, short, and long items — not pure MCQ

MSBSHSE HSC Psychology paper-pattern summaries

English MCQ adaptation

This free local bank is not the official Higher Secondary paper format

OpenExamPrep practice policy

Maharashtra MSBSHSE HSC Psychology (code 48) is a Class 12 public-exam theory subject of about 3 hours (commonly 80+20) with ~35% pass floor, covering Balbharati themes from scientific methods through disorders, ALGEE, and positive psychology — not a pure MCQ board paper. This free 2026 bank is an English MCQ study adaptation for concept fluency.

Sample Maharashtra HSC Psychology Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Maharashtra HSC Psychology exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Till about 1879, psychology was mainly treated as a branch of:
A.Physics
B.Philosophy
C.Chemistry
D.Astronomy
Explanation: Balbharati Std XII notes that psychology began as a branch of philosophy and only later emerged as a separate scientific discipline (with Wundt’s laboratory in 1879).
2Who established the world’s first psychology laboratory in 1879 at the University of Leipzig?
A.William James
B.Sigmund Freud
C.Wilhelm Wundt
D.John B. Watson
Explanation: Wilhelm Wundt, a German psychologist, established the first psychology laboratory in 1879 at Leipzig. Balbharati treats this event as the official start of psychology as a separate scientific discipline.
3Which key feature of science means knowledge is based on verifiable observation or experiment?
A.Subjectivity
B.Empirical evidence
C.Common sense
D.Intuition alone
Explanation: Empirical evidence means acquiring information through direct observation or experiments so others can verify the same phenomena. Balbharati lists it among key features of science.
4In experimental research, the variable the researcher deliberately manipulates is the:
A.Dependent variable
B.Independent variable
C.Extraneous constant
D.Placebo only
Explanation: The independent variable is the presumed cause that the experimenter manipulates; the dependent variable is the measured effect. Balbharati links this to scientific causality.
5Which school of thought is widely regarded as the first school in psychology and used introspection?
A.Behaviourism
B.Structuralism
C.Humanistic psychology
D.Gestalt therapy alone
Explanation: Structuralism, associated with Wundt and Titchener, is treated as the first school of thought. It studied conscious experience with introspection.
6William James is best known as a major advocate of which early perspective?
A.Structuralism
B.Functionalism
C.Psychoanalysis
D.Behaviourism
Explanation: William James advocated functionalism and is often called the father of American psychology; he emphasized the functions of consciousness.
7Which research method in psychology assigns participants to conditions and seeks cause–effect under controlled settings?
A.Case study only
B.Experimental method
C.Unstructured diary only
D.Astrology charting
Explanation: The experimental method manipulates variables under controlled conditions to examine cause–effect relationships—a core scientific method in Balbharati’s research-methods section.
8A correlation study in psychology primarily aims to:
A.Prove one variable always causes another
B.Describe the relationship/degree of association between variables
C.Replace all experiments forever
D.Measure only brain size
Explanation: Correlation studies examine associations between variables; they do not by themselves establish causation. Balbharati lists correlation among research methods.
9Which challenge is most accurately highlighted when arguing that psychology is ‘not an exact science like physics’?
A.Human behaviour is dynamic and mental processes are abstract, so laws are less universal/precise
B.Psychology never uses any objective methods
C.Psychology forbids all measurement
D.Psychology studies only rocks
Explanation: Balbharati notes psychology’s subject matter is complex—dynamic behaviour and abstract mental processes—so theories are not as universal, exact, and precise as in physics/chemistry, even though psychology still uses scientific methods.
10Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis primarily emphasised study of the:
A.Only observable muscle twitches
B.Unconscious mind
C.Purely genetic botany
D.Astronomical cycles
Explanation: Freud proposed psychoanalysis in the early 1890s and gave importance to the unconscious mind, contrasting with early structuralism/functionalism’s focus on consciousness.

About the Maharashtra HSC Psychology Exam

Maharashtra HSC Psychology under MSBSHSE covers Class 12 Psychology aligned to Balbharati Standard XII and board subject code 48. Core themes include psychology as a scientific discipline (features of science, history, research methods, rationality); intelligence (definitions, unitary vs multiple perspectives, measurement, social/emotional/artificial intelligence trends); personality (shaping factors, Jung, Allport traits, Big Five/OCEAN, behavioural analysis, inventories, projective methods); cognitive processes (attention, perception, thinking, learning); emotions (theories, Plutchik’s model, well-being, anger management); psychological disorders (criteria, mental wellness continuum, DSM-5 major categories); first aid in mental health (need for help, ALGEE action plan, depression/anxiety first aid); and positive psychology (Seligman, happiness, optimism, empathy, mindfulness, resilience and the 7 C’s). Official assessment is typically a ~3-hour theory paper for 80 marks plus 20 internal/project marks, with about 35% required to pass. This free local bank provides English four-option MCQs for revision; pair it with Balbharati textbooks, written short/long answers, and official papers via mahahsscboard.in.

Exam sponsor: Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Pune. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Maharashtra Higher Secondary Psychology is an HSC (Class 12) theory subject under MSBSHSE, Pune (subject code 48). Official logistics commonly describe about 3 hours of written theory work for 80 marks, with 20 marks internal assessment / project, for a 100-mark subject total. Qualifying typically requires about 35% in the subject. Syllabus centres on Balbharati Standard XII Psychology: psychology as a scientific discipline; intelligence; personality; cognitive processes; emotions; psychological disorders; first aid in mental health; and positive psychology. English/Marathi medium materials are typical; this practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. Confirm current syllabus and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

35%

Exam / Certification Fees

As notified by MSBSHSE and paid through affiliated junior colleges for regular and private/improvement sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories).

Exam sponsor website

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~12% of this local bank

Psychology as a Scientific Discipline

Science features, history, schools, research methods, rationality.

~14% of this local bank

Intelligence

Definitions, perspectives, IQ, tests, new trends.

~14% of this local bank

Personality

Factors, Jung, Allport, Big Five, measurement.

~14% of this local bank

Cognitive Processes

Attention, perception, thinking, learning.

~12% of this local bank

Emotions

Theories, Plutchik, physiology, well-being, anger.

~14% of this local bank

Psychological Disorders

Criteria, wellness continuum, major DSM-5 families.

~10% of this local bank

First Aid in Mental Health

Need for first aid, ALGEE, depression/anxiety support.

~10% of this local bank

Positive Psychology

Happiness, optimism, empathy, mindfulness, resilience.

Preparing for the Maharashtra HSC Psychology Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 35%
  • Assessment: Maharashtra Higher Secondary Psychology is an HSC (Class 12) theory subject under MSBSHSE, Pune (subject code 48). Official logistics commonly describe about 3 hours of written theory work for 80 marks, with 20 marks internal assessment / project, for a 100-mark subject total. Qualifying typically requires about 35% in the subject. Syllabus centres on Balbharati Standard XII Psychology: psychology as a scientific discipline; intelligence; personality; cognitive processes; emotions; psychological disorders; first aid in mental health; and positive psychology. English/Marathi medium materials are typical; this practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation. Confirm current syllabus and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: As notified by MSBSHSE and paid through affiliated junior colleges for regular and private/improvement sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Maharashtra HSC Psychology: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build chapter-wise definition cards: science features, IQ formula, OCEAN traits, ALGEE steps, and 7 C’s of resilience.
2Link theorist → idea pairs (Wundt/introspection, Watson/behaviourism, Binet/IQ tests, Jung/introvert–extrovert, Seligman/positive psychology).
3Practise vignette applications: which research method, which disorder family, which first-aid step — not only rote lists.
4After MCQ concept checks, write full short/long answers under ~3-hour timing using MSBSHSE past papers and Balbharati exercises.
5Treat mental-health content carefully: first aid supports referral and non-judgemental listening; it does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Maharashtra HSC Psychology officially examined?

Psychology is examined under the Maharashtra Higher Secondary Certificate Examination as a Class 12 theory subject (MSBSHSE subject code 48). Logistics commonly describe about 3 hours of written theory work for 80 marks, plus 20 marks internal assessment / project, for a 100-mark total. Papers typically mix objective, short-answer, and long-answer components. Candidates generally need about 35% in the subject to pass. Confirm the year’s syllabus, timetable, and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.

Is this practice bank the same format as the official HSC Psychology paper?

No. Official MSBSHSE HSC Psychology papers mix objective items with short and long written answers (and internal/project work). This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation for concepts, definitions, and applications only — not an official translation, blueprint replica, or full written-paper simulation.

What syllabus does this bank follow?

It is aligned to Maharashtra HSC / Class 12 Psychology under MSBSHSE and Balbharati Standard XII Psychology chapters: Psychology as a Scientific Discipline; Intelligence; Personality; Cognitive Processes; Emotions; Psychological Disorders; First Aid in Mental Health; and Positive Psychology. Always confirm the current Balbharati/MSBSHSE syllabus for your year.

What is the pass mark for Maharashtra HSC Psychology?

MSBSHSE commonly requires a minimum of about 35% in each subject (including Psychology) out of the full 100-mark total with theory and internal components as applicable. Always verify the current Higher Secondary notification for your sitting.

What is the official subject code for HSC Psychology?

MSBSHSE lists Psychology as subject code 48 in the HSC general subject codes scheme (see mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm and official question-paper listings). Confirm against your college subject registration and admit card.

Where should I check official syllabus, papers, and results?

Use the MSBSHSE site at mahahsscboard.in for circulars and question papers, mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm for subject codes, Balbharati digital textbooks (e.g. books.ebalbharati.in/pdfs/1203010505.pdf), and your divisional board portals for results and hall tickets.