
CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced on screen marking for the evaluation of CBSE 12th answer sheets of students. The exam pattern is prescribed by the examination authority. CBSE 12th exam pattern 2026 shares the marking scheme, types of questions asked in the exam, difficulty level, and more. Students must be thorough with the exam pattern of CBSE 12th 2026 in order to know the overall exam structure. Read below for more details on CBSE Class 12 exam pattern.
Latest News:
- CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026
- 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
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). This makes 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. The highlights related to CBSE Class 12th exam pattern is given below.
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body |
Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Question Paper Pattern |
|
| Duration |
3 hours |
| Mode |
Offline |
| Number of subjects |
5 or 6 (as elected by the student) |
| Maximum Marks |
100 (theory + practical)
|
| Passing marks for each subject |
33% |
| Passing marks for the overall exam |
Aggregate 33% |
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 can download the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2026 for all subjects below:
Commonly asked questions
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 Class 12 Maths exam pattern 2026
| 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
Here's the chapter-wise distribution of marks in CBSE 12th 2026. Students can click on the link provided to download the complete CBSE 12th Maths Exam pattern 2026.
Topic | Marks |
|---|---|
Relations & Functions | 08 |
Calculus | 35 |
Algebra | 10 |
Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry | 14 |
Linear Programming | 05 |
Probability | 08 |
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 |
16 |
| Unit-2 Current Electricity |
Chapter 3: Current Electricity |
|
| Unit-3 Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism |
Chapter 4: Moving Charges and Magnetism |
17 |
| Unit-4 Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Currents |
Chapter 6: Electromagnetic Induction |
|
| Unit-5 Electromagnetic Waves |
Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves |
18
|
| Unit-6 Optics |
Chapter–9: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments Chapter–10: Wave Optics |
|
| 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 |
|
| Unit-9 Electronic Devices |
Chapter 7 –14: Semiconductor Electronics: Materials, Devices |
7 |
| Practicals: The record to be submitted by the students at the time of their annual examination has to include:
|
||
| 2 experiments 1 from each section |
7+7 |
|
| Practical record |
5 |
|
| 1 activity from any section |
3 |
|
| Investigatory project |
3 |
|
| Viva |
5 |
|
| Total |
30 |
|
Commonly asked questions
Yes, you can attempt questions in any sequence in CBSE board class 12. Just ensure that while attempting your CBSE board exam that you have attempted all the question with a question number written in such a way that examiner can see it properly. And in order to get good marks, it is important to make an impression which can be made by attempting those questions first that you know well. Thus, if you know question no. 12, then instead of 1, 2, attempt those question that you remember properly.
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 is of 80 marks, which are divided into Part A: 60 marks & Part B: 20 marks. The project is of 20 marks, which comes under Part C. Chapter-wise Accountancy exam pattern and the marking scheme according to topics is as follows:
| Topic |
Marks |
|---|---|
| Part A: Accounting for Partnership Firms & Companies |
|
| Unit 1: Accounting for Partnership Firms |
36 |
|
|
60 |
| Part B: Financial Statement Analysis |
|
| Unit 3: Analysis of Financial Statements |
12 |
|
|
20 |
| Part C: Project work, which includes: |
12 |
| OR |
|
| Part B: Computerised 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
CBSE Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2026
Explore subject-wise topics asked in CBSE 12th
Select your preferred subject
CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2026
FAQs on CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026
Commonly asked questions
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.
CBSE offers three main streams in Class 12, namely Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities.
Yes, CBSE gives grace marks to those students who are unable to clear the exam by a maximum of 3 marks in the exam.
Explore top Arts exams
1 Feb '26 - 25 Feb '26 | JEE Main 2026 Registration Ses... |
10 Jan '26 - 20 Feb '26 | MHT CET 2026 Application Form ... |
6 Apr '26 - 2 May '26 | JEE Advanced 2026 registration... |
29 Oct '25 - 15 Apr '26 | AEEE 2026 Phase 2 Registration |
10 Nov '25 - 8 Apr '26 | KIITEE 2026 Registration - Pha... |
2 Feb '26 - 31 Mar '26 | IPU CET 2026 Application Form... |
15 Dec '25 - 16 Mar '26 | BITSAT 2026 Application Form S... |
24 Oct '25 - 31 Mar '26 | VITEEE 2026 application form |
3 Feb '26 - 16 Mar '26 | COMEDK Application Form 2026 |
5 Mar '26 - 13 Apr '26 | IISER Aptitude Test 2026 Regis... |
CBSE 12th Exam
Student Forum
Answered 3 days ago
The RBSE Time Table 2026 Class 12 is released online on the board's website. Students need to visit at rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in to download the RBSE 10th Time Table 2026. The students can check the same also on this page.
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 days ago
The benefits of CBSE 12th on screen marking are given below.
- Faster evaluation
- Quick declaration of results
- Minimal errors
- Evaluation may be conducted from schools and centres digitally
- Transparency
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
This year, CBSE has introduced on screen marking system. Through this system, the answer sheets of students will be digitally evaluated.
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 3 days ago
Any stream can choose this course but if the student had opted for commerce with maths in 12th, it would be more beneficial to him/her since a lot of the syllabus is similar.
P
Beginner-Level 2
Answered 5 days ago
The following details are mentioned in Haryana Board 12th result.
- Name of the Student
- Roll Number
- Registration Number
- District
- Category
- Stream
- Marks obtained in theory and practical subjects
- Result Status
- Grade obtained
- CGPA
- Subjects in which a student appeared/ opted for the exams
- Total Marks obtained
A
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
A score of 80 per cent or more is generally considered as excellent in HBSE 12th exam. 60-70 per cent is considered good. Candidates must aim to get more than 90 percent to get admission in good colleges. The passing marks are 33 per cent.
B
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 5 days ago
The examination authority announces the dates related to HBSE 12th result on the social media platform first. At times, they releases the result link on the same platform. Students can check their results by logging with the required credentials.
I
Contributor-Level 7
Answered a week ago
Students have to score minimum 35 marks per subject. Those who get less than 35 marks are failed. They will have to appear for the supplementary exam.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
The IISER application form 2026 will be available online. Completed 12th grade from a recognised board can apply. Steps to apply for IISER after 12th are registration, form filling, payment of exam fees, and download of the confirmation letter.
V
Contributor-Level 9
Answered a week ago
For admissions to universities abroad to undergraduate courses, a PTE score between 51-60 is generally considered sufficient. However, higher scores can lead you to win an atractive scholarship or get selected in a good college.
R
Contributor-Level 8
Popular Courses After 12th
Exams accepted
CA FoundationExams accepted
ICSI ExamExams accepted
BHU UET | GLAET | GD Goenka TestBachelor of Business Administration & Bachelor of Law
Exams accepted
CLAT | LSAT India | AIBEExams accepted
IPMAT | NMIMS - NPAT | SET
Exams accepted
BHU UET | KUK Entrance Exam | JMI Entrance ExamBachelor of Design in Animation (BDes)
Exams accepted
UCEED | NIFT Entrance Exam | NID Entrance ExamBA LLB (Bachelor of Arts + Bachelor of Laws)
Exams accepted
CLAT | AILET | LSAT IndiaBachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)
Exams accepted
LUACMAT | SRMHCAT | GD Goenka Test
Exam On - 17 Feb '26 - 5 Mar '26
Where the Rajasthan Board 12th exam date sheet 2026 is released?