The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the tentative exam schedule for Class 12 Board Exams 2026, which are set to begin in February 2026. With the half-yearly exams almost over, this is the right time for students to shift their focus towards full-fledged preparation for the annual board exams. To prepare effectively and score well, students must stay updated with the latest question paper structure, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage.
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for time management, prioritising key sections, and maximising scores in the upcoming board exams. This article provides a detailed subject-wise CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26, including the marking scheme, chapter/unit-wise weightage, and the latest changes introduced by the board for this academic year.
Check| CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26
CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme (2025-26)
Here is the key information about the CBSE Class 12 examination pattern and marking scheme, organized into tables.
I. Question Paper Typology Breakdown
Question Type | Percentage of Total Marks | Description |
| Competency-Based Questions | 20% | Includes MCQs, case-based questions, and source-based integrated questions designed to test conceptual application. |
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 30% | Standard objective questions. |
| Constructed Response (Short & Long Answer) | 50% (Reduced from 40%) | Descriptive questions that test depth of understanding. |
II. Subject-Wise Marks Distribution (Maximum 100 Marks)
Stream / Subject Group | Theory Exam Marks | Practical / Internal Assessment | Total Marks |
| Science Subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Comp. Science) | 70 marks | 30 marks (Practical) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 80 marks | 20 marks (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| Commerce Subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics) | 80 marks | 20 marks (Project Work / Internal Assessment) | 100 |
III. General Examination Criteria
Criteria | Details |
| Maximum Marks (Per Subject) | 100 marks (Theory + Practical/Project) |
| Passing Requirement | Must secure a minimum of 33% aggregate marks and at least 33% in each individual subject. |
| Underlying Principle | Aligned with NEP 2020, focusing on analytical skills and real-life applicability over memorization. |
CBSE Board Exam 2025-26: Major Updates
Subject-wise Exam Pattern for CBSE Class 12th for 2025-26
For the 2025-26 academic year, CBSE Class 12 science stream exams will see competency-based questions (MCQs, case/source-based) increase to 50% weightage (from 40%), while constructed response questions (short/long answers) will decrease to 30% (from 40%).
CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 English Core exam in 2025 will have three sections: Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature. It will be an 80-mark theory paper with 20 marks for Internal Assessment, including MCQs, competency-based questions, and short/long answers.
Component | Marks | Included Question Types |
| Section A: Reading | 22 | Comprehension based on unseen passages — narrative, descriptive, and factual formats, including case-based passages with visual/verbal cues. |
| Section B: Writing & Grammar | 18 | Writing formats such as notices, invitations (formal/informal) with replies, letters (applications, editorial), reports or articles, and grammar-based sentence transformation. |
| Section C: Literature | 40 | Questions from prose, poetry, and plays in the prescribed textbooks and supplements focused on comprehension, interpretation, analysis, and inference |
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme For English
Components | Marks |
| Reading Comprehension | 20 |
| Creative Expression (Writing Tasks) | 20 |
| Literary Section (Main & Supplementary Texts) | 40 |
| Internal Assessment Breakdown | |
| Listening Test | 5 |
| Speaking Test | 5 |
| Project-Based Assessment | 10 |
CBSE Class 12 Science Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Science exam pattern for 2025-26 will likely combine competency-based, MCQ, and constructed-response questions. All three Science papers (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) will follow this 3-hour offline format.
Part | Question Format | Marks Allotted |
| Part A | 16 Questions (mix of MCQs, very short and short responses) | 16 Marks |
| Part B | 5 Questions – Short Answer (2 marks each) | 10 Marks |
| Part C | 7 Questions – Short Answer (3 marks each) | 21 Marks |
| Part D | 2 Questions – Case-Based (4 marks each) | 8 Marks |
| Part E | 3 Questions – Long Answer (5 marks each) | 15 Marks |
| Theory Total | — | 70 Marks |
| Practical Exam | Activities, experiments, viva, and record work | 30 Marks |
| Grand Total | Combined score of theory and practical | 100 Marks |
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam (2025-26) will be a 100-mark paper, split into a 70-mark theory section and a 30-mark practical section. The theory paper will include MCQs, strategic questions, short answers, and long answers.
Category | Information |
| Marks Distribution |
|
| Type of Questions |
|
| Exam Duration | The total duration of the written paper is 3 hours. |
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme For Physics
Topics | Marks |
| Unit 1: Electrostatics Unit 2: Current Electricity | 16 |
| Unit 3: Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism Unit 4: Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Currents | 17 |
| Unit 5: Electromagnetic Waves Unit 6: Optics | 18 |
| Unit 7: Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter Unit 8: Atoms & Nuclei | 12 |
| Unit 9: Electronic Devices | 7 |
| Practical | |
| Two experiments (one from each section) | 7+7 |
| Practical file (with activities and experiments recorded) | 5 |
| One hands-on activity from any section | 3 |
| Project work (investigatory type) | 3 |
| Viva, based on experiments and a project | 5 |
CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry exam for 2025-26 will be 70 marks for the written paper and 30 for practicals. The theory paper has five sections with varied question types and weightage.
Category | Information |
| Marks Distribution | Theory: 70 marks Practical/Project Work: 30 marks |
| Type of Questions |
|
| Exam Duration | The total duration of the written paper is 3 hours. |
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme For Chemistry
Topics | Marks |
| Solutions | 7 |
| Electrochemistry | 9 |
| Chemical Kinetics | 7 |
| d -and f- f-block elements | 7 |
| Coordination Compounds | 7 |
| Haloalkanes & Haloarnes | 6 |
| Alcohol, Phenols & Ethers | 6 |
| Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids | 8 |
| Amines | 6 |
| Biomolecules | 7 |
| Practicals | |
| Volumetric Analysis | 8 |
| Salt Analysis | 8 |
| Content-Based Experiment | 6 |
| Project | 4 |
| Class record & viva | 4 |
CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Biology exam for 2025-26 will consist of 70 marks for theory and 30 marks for practicals, with detailed question distribution provided below.
Category | Information |
| Marks Distribution |
|
| Type of Questions |
|
| Exam Duration | The total duration of the written paper is 3 hours. |
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme For Biology
Topics | Marks |
| Reproduction | 16 |
| Genetics & Evolution | 20 |
| Biology & Human Welfare | 12 |
| Biotechnology & Its Applications | 12 |
| Ecology & Environment | 10 |
| Practical | |
| 1 Major experiment | 5 |
| 1 Minor experiment | 4 |
| Slide preparation | 5 |
| Spotting | 7 |
| Practical record + viva voce | 4 |
| Investigatory Project and Project record + viva voce | 5 |
CBSE Class 12 Maths Exam Pattern 2025-26
Starting 2025-26, the CBSE Class 12 Maths exam will be 100 marks (80 theory, 20 internal assessment). The 3-hour written test will have multiple sections with objective questions and internal choices.
Exam Component | Information |
| Total Score | 100 Marks (divided into 80 for the written exam and 20 for the internal assessment) |
| Written Paper Structure |
|
| Internal Evaluation | periodic tests (best 2 out of 3 will be counted) and subject-based activities in Mathematics, each carrying 10 marks. |
| Time Duration | 3 Hours for the theory exam |
| Qualifying Marks | Minimum 33% required per subject and overall total |
CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme For Mathematics
Topic | Marks |
| Relations & Functions | 08 |
| Calculus | 35 |
| Algebra | 10 |
| Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry | 14 |
| Linear Programming | 05 |
| Probability | 08 |
Understanding the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 is vital for effective preparation. With changes aligned with NEP 2020, focusing on competency-based questions and analytical skills, students should prioritize conceptual understanding and application of knowledge. By familiarizing themselves with the subject-wise marking schemes, question paper structures, and key updates, students can strategize their study plans, manage time efficiently, and ultimately achieve success in their 2026 board examinations.
Also Check: CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26
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