CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26: Marking Scheme & Key Changes

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• Updated on 14 Oct, 2025, 2:44 AM, by KollegeApply

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Class 12 exam pattern for 2025-26. The board exams are scheduled to begin in February 2026. Students must familiarize themselves with the revised question paper format, subject-wise marking scheme, section-wise weightage, and key changes to prepare effectively.

Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for time management, prioritising important sections, and maximizing scores. The 2025-26 exam pattern introduces changes aligned with NEP 2020, emphasizing analytical skills and competency-based questions over rote memorization.

CBSE Class 12 Question Paper Typology

The following table provides the overall distribution of question types in Class 12 exams:

Question Type	Percentage of Total Marks	Description
Competency-Based Questions	20%	MCQs, case-based questions, and source-based integrated questions testing conceptual application
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)	30%	Standard objective questions
Constructed Response (Short & Long Answer)	50% (reduced from 40%)	Descriptive questions testing depth of understanding

Subject-Wise Marks Distribution

The maximum marks per subject are 100, including theory and practical/internal assessments.

Stream / Subject Group	Theory Marks	Practical / Internal Assessment	Total Marks
Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Comp. Science)	70	30	100
Mathematics	80	20	100
Commerce (Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics)	80	20	100

General Criteria: Candidates must secure minimum 33% marks in each subject and in aggregate.

CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern

The English Core exam will have three sections for 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment:

Section	Marks	Included Question Types
Reading	22	Comprehension based on unseen passages, including case-based passages
Writing & Grammar	18	Notices, letters, reports, articles, and grammar-based exercises
Literature	40	Questions from prose, poetry, and plays focusing on comprehension, interpretation, and analysis

Internal Assessment: Listening Test – 5, Speaking Test – 5, Project-Based Assessment – 10

CBSE Class 12 Science Exam Pattern

Science papers (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) follow a 3-hour offline exam format with theory 70 marks + practical 30 marks.

Part	Question Format	Marks
Part A	MCQs, very short & short responses	16
Part B	Short Answer (2 marks each)	10
Part C	Short Answer (3 marks each)	21
Part D	Case-Based (4 marks each)	8
Part E	Long Answer (5 marks each)	15
Practical	Experiments, viva, and record work	30
Total	Theory + Practical	100

CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Exam Pattern

Mathematics will have 80 marks written exam + 20 marks internal assessment, including:

55% Objective Type (MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, true/false)
25% Application-Based (Case/Source-based)
20% Descriptive (Short & Long Answers)

Internal evaluation includes periodic tests and subject-based activities.

Key Takeaways

Competency-based questions have increased in weightage for Science and other subjects.
Students should focus on conceptual clarity and application of knowledge.
Familiarity with marking schemes, question formats, and key changes will help in effective time management andmaximizing scores.

Students are advised to plan preparation strategically, give priority to high-weightage chapters, and practice sample papers based on the new exam pattern for success in the 2026 CBSE Class 12 board exams.

ISC Date Sheet 2027 to Be Released Soon: Check Class 12 Timetable, Expected Dates & Download StepsISC Date Sheet 2027 to Be Released Soon: Check Class 12 Timetable, Expected Dates & Download Steps