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.
