CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026: Check Latest Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme

Q: When will CBSE 12th Syllabus release?

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the CBSE class 12 syllabus 2025-26 on its official website. Students can find and download the syllabus of Class 12 CBSE 2025-26 below for all subjects. Download and start studying for the board examinations. It is adviced that students finish their CBSE 12th syllabus 2026 for all subjects at least 2 months prior to the exam to score well.

Q: Where can I download the CBSE 12th marking scheme for all subjects?

CBSE released the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2026 for all subjects on the official website- cbseacademic.nic.in. The subject-wise CBSE Class 12 marking scheme can be downloaded by cliking on CBSE 12th exam pattern 2026 . Students will get familiar with the exam pattern, duration of exam and the type of questions asked in exam from the marking scheme.

Q: Where can I check and download CBSE Exam Pattern Class 10, 12?

CBSE will release the CBSE 10th, 12th exam pattern 2026 on the official website soon. The exam pattern shares the marking scheme, weightage to every topic, duration of exam and more. Students must know the CBSE exam pattern as this helps them form a strategy and to decide which question to solve first. To know the CBSE exams pattern 2026, students can click on the links below- CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026

Q: What will be the mode of CBSE Class 12 Exam 2025-26?

The CBSE Board exams Class 12 2026 will be conducted in the offline mode or in pen and paper format. The board will release the marking scheme and CBSE 12th sample question papers for all subjects. Students can download them by clicking on the links provided. These will help them get familiar with the weightage of chapters in the final exams, the duration of the exam, the difficulty level, and more. Class 12 board exams 2026 will Likely be conducted between February 16 and April 4, 2026.

Q: Will we get sufficient time to prepare for our CBSE 12th examinations once they begin?

Yes, the board provides sufficient preparation leaves for you to prepare for the exams. Students are advised to finish their syllabus and practice the sample papers well ahead in time so as to avoid any panic situation once exams begin.

Q: What are the different streams offered by CBSE in Class 12?

CBSE offers three main streams in Class 12, namely Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities. The subjects in CBSE 12th Science stream include Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Home Science, Electronics, Statistics, Psychology etc. The CBSE Class 12 Commerce subjects include Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Maths, Statistics, Computer Application etc. The CBSE 12th Humanities subjects include Economics, Politics, History, Geography, Sociology, Geology, etc.

Q: Is it necessary to collect the original marksheet from the school after the release of the CBSE 12th result?

Yes, you must collect your marksheet from school, since the result released online is provisional. This is an important document. It will be required while applying for higher education and job.

Q: Will the CBSE 12th Board exams 2026 be based on 100% syllabus?

Yes, CBSE 12th exams 2026 will be based on 100% syllabus. Students can check the CBSE 12th syllabus 2026 by clicking on the link provided. Students must finish with their syllabus and know the exam pattern well at least a month prior to the exam. This way they'll be better prepared for the exams. From 2020 to 2022, the Board had reduced the CBSE syllabus in the wake of Covid pandemic.

Q: Can I be promoted without scoring passing marks in CBSE 12th?

Many students wish to clear their board exams without studying, however, please note that you will not be able to pass the 12th class without securing the minimum passing marks of 33 in all subjects and also 33 percent in aggregate. In case you are unable to score the passing marks in one or two subjects, you will be allowed to sit for the supplementary exams. You are advised to go through the CBSE 12th syllabus, and know the exam pattern so that you are able to build a strategy to score well in exams. Make notes of important points as you study. Stay confident and focus your energy on studies and you'll be able to pass with flying colours.

Q: Can I use a scientific calculator in the CBSE 12th board exams?

NO. No type of calculators, mobile phones, or any technological gadget is allowed during CBSE exams. Any student caught carrying these will be barred from writing their exam.

40.3K Students Q&A

This exam is conducted for courses given below:

Science, Commerce, Arts Science Commerce Arts

Updated on Sep 11, 2025 15:26 IST

By Jasleen Taneja

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the CBSE Exam Pattern 2026 Class 12 on the official website. Students can check and download the CBSE Class 12 exam pattern 2026 for all subjects below. The CBSE 12th exam pattern 2026 shares the marking scheme, types of questions asked in the exam, difficulty level, and more.

CBSE Class 12th exam pattern 2026 includes 50% competency-based questions (MCQs, case-based, source-based), 20% select-response type questions (MCQs), and 30% constructed response questions (short/long answers), bringing to the total to 100%. This emphasis is on concept understanding and application over memorization, to test students' real-life application of learning. The total marks of each subject is 100, with 80 marks for theory and 20 for practical/internal assessment. Students need to score a minimum of 33% in each subject and in aggregate to clear the exams.

In the Accountancy subject, there will be no answer books wherein tables were provided.

CBSE Class 12 exams 2026 will be conducted in pen and paper format between February 17 and April 4, 2026.

Table of content

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights
Subject-wise Marking Scheme for Class 12 CBSE 2026
CBSE Class 12 Maths exam pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE 12th Business Studies Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2026
CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2026
FAQs on CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Highlights

Check out the table below:

Particulars	Details
Conducting Body	Central Board of Secondary Education
Question Paper Pattern	MCQs - 20% Competency-based questions (MCQs, case-based, source-based) - 50% Short answer/long answer type questions- 30%
Duration	3 hours
Mode	Offline
Number of subjects	5 or 6 (as elected by the student)
Maximum Marks	100 (theory + practical) 80 marks theory + 20 marks Project works for Commerce subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies & Economics) 70 marks theory +30 marks practical for Physics, Chemistry & Biology 80 marks Maths written exam + 20 marks internal assessment
Passing marks for each subject	33%
Passing marks for the overall exam	Aggregate 33%

Commonly asked questions

Q: Can we attempt questions in any sequence in CBSE board class 12 question paper?

Q: What are the changes introduced in CBSE 12th Accounts exam pattern?

Q: Does CBSE cut marks for exceeding the word limit?

Subject-wise Marking Scheme for Class 12 CBSE 2026

The exam pattern and marking scheme of CBSE 12th 2026 of all subjects are given in the following table. Students can download them by clicking on the subject name below. The CBSE 12th marking scheme 2026 provides answers to all the questions mentioned in the CBSE sample papers for 2026. To download the subject-wise CBSE 12th sample papers, students can click on the Question Papers/Sample Papers tab above.

Students preparing for competitive examinations like JEE Mains, NEET, CLAT, DU JAT etc, can check the NEET exam pattern, CLAT exam pattern, DU JAT exam pattern and JEE Mains exam pattern .

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Students can download the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2026 for all subjects below:

Accountancy	Home Science
Assamese	Informatics Practices
Arabic	Japanese
Bengali	Kannada
Bharatnatyam	Kashmiri
Bhutia	Kathak
Bhoti
Biology	Kathakali
Biotechnology	Kuchipudi
Bodo	Legal Studies
Business Studies	Lepcha
Carnatic Melodic	Limboo
Carnatic Percussion	Malayalam
Carnatic Vocal	Manipuri
Chemistry	Marathi
Computer Science	Applied Arts (Commercial arts)
Dance Manipuri	Applied Mathematics
Dance Odissi	Mathematics
Economics	Mizo
Engg Graphics	NCC
English Core	Nepali
English Elective	Kokborok
Entrepreneurship	KTPI
French	Odia
Geography	Painting
German	Graphic
Gujarati	Sculpture
Hindi Elective	Urdu Core
Hindi Core	Physical Education
History	Physics
Hindustani Music (melodic)	Political Science
Hindustani Music (percussion)	Psychology
Hindustani Music (vocal)	Punjabi
Russian	Sanskrit Elective
Sindhi	Tamil
Sociology	Tangkhul
Spanish	Telugu (AP)
Sanskrit Core	Telugu Telangana
Tibetan	Urdu Elective

Commonly asked questions

Q: When will CBSE 12th Syllabus release?

Q: Where can I download the CBSE 12th marking scheme for all subjects?

Q: Where can I check and download CBSE Exam Pattern Class 10, 12?

CBSE Class 12 Maths exam pattern 2026

For CBSE Class 12 Maths the theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks and the internal assessment is for 30 marks. Chapter-wise CBSE class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme for Mathematics is explained below.

Topic	Marks
Relations & Functions	08
Calculus	35
Algebra	10
Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry	14
Linear Programming	05
Probability	08
Total	80
Internal Assessment	20

Also Read:

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is the detailed CBSE 12th Maths Exam pattern?

Q: Are questions from previous year asked in CBSE 12th boards?

CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 12 Science subject-wise exam pattern 2026 along with the marks weightage is provided below.

CBSE Class 12 Physics: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

For CBSE Class 12 Physics, the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks. The remaining 30 marks belong to the practicals. CBSE Class 12 Physics chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme are explained below.

Unit	Topics	Marks
Unit-1 Electrostatics	Chapter 1: Electric Charges and Fields Chapter 2: Electrostatic Potential and Capacitance	16
Unit-2 Current Electricity	Chapter 3: Current Electricity	16
Unit-3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism	Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism Chapter 5: Magnetism and Matter	17
Unit-4 Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents	Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Induction Chapter 7: Alternating Current	17
Unit-5 Electromagnetic Waves	Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves	18
Unit-6 Optics	Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments Chapter–10: Wave Optics	18
Unit-7 Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	Chapter–11: Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter	12
Unit-8 Atoms and Nuclei	Chapter–12: Atoms Chapter–13: Nuclei	12
Unit-9 Electronic Devices	Chapter 7 –14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices and Simple Circuits	7
Practicals: The record to be submitted by the students at the time of their annual examination has to include: Record of at least 8 Experiments [with 4 from each section], to be performed by the students. Record of at least 6 Activities [with 3 each from section A and section B], to be performed by the students. The Report of the project carried out by the students.
2 experiments 1 from each section		7+7
Practical record		5
1 activity from any section		3
Investigatory project		3
Viva		5
Total		30

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2026

For Chemistry, the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks. The remaining 30 marks are assigned to the practicals. The table below contains CBSE class 12 exam pattern for Class 12 Chemistry Chapters and the marking scheme.

Topics	Marks
Theory
Solutions	7
Electrochemistry	9
Chemical Kinetics	7
d -and f- block elements	7
Coordination Compounds	7
Haloalkaline s & Haloarnes	6
Alcohol, Phenols & Ethers	6
Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids	8
Amines	6
Biomolecules	7
Total	70
Practicals
Volumetric Analysis	8
Salt Analysis	8
Content-Based Experiment	6
Project	4
Class record & viva	4
Total	30

CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2026

For CBSE Class 12 Biology the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks and Practicals constitute of the remaining 30 marks. It is explained below in tabular form CBSE Class 12 Biology chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme.

Topics	Marks
Theory
Reproduction	16
Genetics & Evolution	20
Biology & Human Welfare	12
Biotechnology & its Applications	12
Ecology & Environment	10
Total	70
Practical
1 major experiment	5
1 minor experiment	4
Slide preparation	5
Spotting	7
Practical record + viva voce	4
Investigatory Project and its Project Record + Viva Voce	5
Total	30

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam Pattern 2026

The Theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks, which are divided into Part A: 60 marks & Part B: 20 marks. The project part has a total weightage of 20 marks, which comes under Part C. Accountancy chapter-wise class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics is as follows:

Topic	Marks
Part A: Accounting for Partnership Firms & Companies
Unit 1: Accounting for Partnership Firms Unit 2: Accounting for Companies	36 24
	60
Part B: Financial Statement Analysis
Unit 3: Analysis of Financial Statements Unit 4: Cash Flow Statement	12 08
	20
Part C: Project work, which includes: Project file Viva voce	12 08
OR
Part B: Computerized Accounting
Unit 4. Computerized Accounting	20
Part C: Practical Work, which includes: Practical File 12 marks Viva Voce 8 marks	20

CBSE 12th Business Studies Exam Pattern 2026

The theory section is divided into 2 parts, carrying 40 marks each. The remaining 20 marks fall under the project work. The Business Studies chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics are provided below.

Topic	Marks
Part A: Principles & Function of Management
Nature & Significance of Management Principles of Management Business Environment	16
Planning Organising	14
Staffing Directing Controlling	20
Total	50
Part B: Business Finance & Marketing
Financial Management Financial Markets	15
Marketing Management Consumer Protection	15
Total	30
Project Work (One)	20

CBSE Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2026

The theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks, which is equally divided into 2 parts. The Practical part has a total weightage of 20 marks. For Class 12 Economics, the chapter-wise CBSE class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics are as follows:

Topic	Marks
Part A: Introductory Macroeconomics
National Income & Related Aggregate Money & Banking Determination of Income & Employment Government Budget & Economy Balance of Payments	10 06 12 06 06
Total	40
Part B: Indian Economic Development
Development Experience (1947-90) & Economic Reforms since 1991 Current Challenges facing the Indian Economy Development Experience of India- A Comparison with Neighbors	12 20 08
Total	40
Part C: Project	20

Explore subject-wise topics asked in CBSE 12th

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Chemistry

Complement of a Set Equal Sets Universal Set Finite and Infinite Set Empty Set Sets and their Representations Relations and Functions Cartesian Products of Sets Functions Relations Binomial Theorem Binomial Theorem for Positive Integral Index Composition of Functions and Invertible Function Types of Functions Types of Relations Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions Inverse Trigonometric Functions Basic Concepts of Inverse Trigonometric Functions Types of Matrix Transpose of a Matrix Symmetric and Skew Symmetric Matrices Invertible Matrices Operations on Matrices Determinants Determinants Integration as Inverse Process of Differentiation Differentiation Standard Deviation Assumed Mean Method Correlation and Regression Z Score Table Cube and Cuboid Complement of a Set Equal Sets Universal Set Finite and Infinite Set Empty Set Sets and their Representations Relations and Functions Cartesian Products of Sets Functions Relations Binomial Theorem Binomial Theorem for Positive Integral Index Composition of Functions and Invertible Function Types of Functions Types of Relations Properties of Inverse Trigonometric Functions Inverse Trigonometric Functions Basic Concepts of Inverse Trigonometric Functions Types of Matrix Transpose of a Matrix Symmetric and Skew Symmetric Matrices Invertible Matrices Operations on Matrices Determinants Determinants Integration as Inverse Process of Differentiation Differentiation Standard Deviation Assumed Mean Method Correlation and Regression Z Score Table Cube and Cuboid Overview DIMENSIONS OF PHYSICAL QUANTITIES DIMENSIONAL FORMULAE Significant Figures DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND ITS APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS Overview Change of State Ideal Gas Equation and Absolute Temperature Thermal Expansion Heat Transfer Specific Heat Calorimetry Temperature and Heat Measurement of Temperature Thermodynamic Process Carnot Engine Reversible and Irreversible Process Thermal Equilibrium Thermodynamic State Variables Equation of State Overview First Law of Thermodynamics Second Law of Thermodynamics Behaviour of Gases Kinetic Theory of Ideal Gas Overview Periodic and Oscillatory Motion Simple Pendulum Simple Harmonic Motion Overview Speed of a Travelling Wave Displacement Relation in a Progressive Wave Superposition Principle Beats Reflection of Waves Kinematic Equation Uniformly of Accelerated Motion Instantaneous Velocity and Speed Overview Acceleration Resolution of Vectors Vector Addition by Analytical Method Scalars and Vectors Multiplication of Vectors by Real Numbers Addition and Subtraction of Vectors Overview Projectile Motion Motion in a Plane Conservation of Momentum Equilibrium of a Particle Circular Motion Common Forces in Mechanics Solving Problems in Mechanics Conservation of Mechanical Energy Potential Energy of Spring Power Kinetic Energy Collision Work Concept of Potential Energy Moment of Inertia Overview Centre of Mass Vector Product of Two Vectors Torque and Angular Momentum Motion of Centre of Mass Equilibrium of a Rigid Body Overview Angular Velocity and Relation with Linear Velocity Dynamics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed Axis Kinematics of Rotational Motion About a Fixed Axis Angular Momentum of Rotation About a Fixed Axis Keplers Law Overview Escape Speed Earth Satellites Energy of an Orbiting Satellite Stress Strain Curve Elastic Moduli Applications of Elastic Behaviour of Materials Surface Tension Bernoulli Principle Pressure in Fluids Viscosity Streamline Flow Forces between Multiple Charges Conductors and Insulators Basic Properties of Electric Charge Electric Charge Electric Charge and Field Electric Flux Electric Charge and Field Electric Field Lines Continuous Charge Distribution Interference Light Waves Youngs Experiment Refraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens Principle Refraction Reflection Plane Wave Huygens Principle Einstein Photoelectric Theory Photoelectric Effect Wave Theory Light Photoelectric Effect Electron Emission Overview Bohr Model of Hydrogen Atom Radioactivity Physics Nuclei Overview Size of Nucleus Binding Energy Nuclear Energy Semiconductor Devices Overview Semiconductor Devices Overview Semiconductor Diode Diode as Rectifier Intrinsic Semiconductor Extrinsic Semiconductor Overview Potential Due to Point Charge Combination of Capacitors Electrostatic Potential Energy Stored in a Capacitor Capacitors and Capacitance Effect of Dielectric on Capacitance Electrostatics of Conductors Potential Energy of a System of Charges Potential due to a System of Charges Electric Current Overview Electrical Energy and Power Temperature Dependence of Resistivity Wheatstone Bridge Overview Ohms Law Kirchhoffs Law Drift of Electrons and the Origin of Resistivity Torque on Current Loop Magnetic Dipole Motion in Magnetic Field Solenoid Magnetic Field due to a Current Element Magnetic Field on Axis of Circular Current Loop Ampere Circuital Law Magnetic Force Overview Moving Coil Galvanometer Magnetism and Matter Magnetic Properties of Materials Magnetisation and Magnetic Intensity Bar Magnet Electromagnetism Motional Electromotive Force Experiments of Faraday and Henry Alternating Current Overview Transformer AC Voltage Applied to a Resistor AC Voltage Applied to an Inductor AC Voltage applied to a Capacitor AC Voltage applied to a Series LCR circuit Representation of AC Current and Voltage by Vector Electromagnetic Spectrum Electromagnetic Waves Displacement Current Total Internal Reflection Refraction through a Prism Optical Instruments Derivation of Lens Formula Reflection of Light by Spherical Mirrors Refraction at Spherical Surface and by Lenses Derive Equation of Motion by Calculus method Alternating Current Overview Mole Concept and Molar Mass STOICHIOMETRY AND STOICHIOMETRIC CALCULATIONS Percentage Composition Laws of Chemical Combination Atomic and Molecular Masses Properties of Matter and their Measurement Importance of Chemistry Overview Overview Atomic Models Discovery of Sub Atomic Particles Towards Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom Quantum Mechanical Model of Atom Electronic Configuration Types of Elements Periodic Table Electronic Configuration of Element Periodic Trends in Properties of Elements Genesis of Periodic Classification Nomenclature of Elements with Atomic Numbers Present Form of Periodic Table Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure Hybridization Valence Bond Theory Molecular Orbital Theory Hydrogen Bonding Ionic or Electrovalent Bond Kossel-Lewis Approach to Chemical Bonding Bond Parameters Bonding in Homonuclear Diatomic Molecules VSEPR Theory Applications of Chemical Bonding Equilibrium Processes Homogeneous Equilibria Factors Affecting Equilibria Applications of Equilibrium Constant Ionization of Acids and Bases Ionic Equilibrium in Solution Equilibrium in Chemical Processes Solubility Equilibria of Sparingly Soluble Salts Heter Heterogeneous Equilibria Oxidation Number Classification of Organic Compounds Isomerism Nomenclature of Organic Compounds Quantitative Analysis Qualitative Analysis of Organic Compounds Overview Structural Representations of Organic Compounds Fundamental Concepts in Organic Reaction Mechanism Tetravalence of Carbon Shapes of Organic Compounds Methods of Purification of Organic Compounds Classification Alkanes Alkenes Alkynes Aromatic Hydrocarbon Carcinogenicity and Toxicity Abnormal Molar Mass Colligative Properties and Molar Mass Solubility Proteins Vitamins Carbohydrates Enzymes Hormones Nucleic Acids Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis Corrosion Galvanic Cell Fuel Cells Nernst Equation Electrochemical Cells Batteries Rate of Reaction Integrated Rate Equations Collision Theory of Chemical Reactions Temperature Dependence of the Rate of a Reaction Factors Influencing Rate of a Reaction Bonding in Metal Carbonyls Difference between Glucose and Fructose

CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2026

The class 12 English paper contains sections for reading skills, creative writing, literature, and assessments. The marks contained by each section are mentioned below:

Topics	Marks
Reading Skills	26
Grammar and Creative Writing Skills	23
Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text	31
Total	80
Internal Assessment - Assessment of Listening + Speaking Skills (5+5)	10
Project work	10
Grand Total	100