CBSE 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject-wise Marking Scheme and Important Updates Explained

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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. Since the half-yearly exams are nearly finished, now's the perfect time to focus on preparing for the annual boards.

To score well, you must know the latest question paper structure, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage. Understanding the exam pattern is key for managing your time, knowing which sections to prioritize, and ultimately maximizing your scores.

This article gives you a detailed look at the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26, covering the marking scheme, unit-wise weightage, and the most recent changes introduced by the board.

👉 Also Check - CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026

👉 Also Check - CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026

Quick Summary of New CBSE Exam Pattern 2025-26

The new CBSE Class 12 exam pattern for 2025-26 shifts the focus to competency-based questions. This means the board will test your understanding and application of concepts, not just your memorization skills. A major change is that 50% weightage is now given to these competency-based questions, which include MCQs, case-based, and source-based questions.

The remaining 50% will be split between traditional short-answer and long-answer questions. This new format, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to reduce rote learning and encourage practical application of knowledge.

Latest CBSE Exam Pattern 2025-26: Focus on Competency-Based Learning

The CBSE has introduced a new exam pattern for Classes 11 and 12 for the 2025-26 session, shifting focus from rote memorization to understanding and application of concepts.

This new format emphasizes how students can apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios, requiring judgment and problem-solving instead of just basic definitions. This change aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to make the education system better by encouraging practical learning and reducing the burden of memorization.

Understanding the Marking Scheme and Weightage

To help you prepare, the CBSE has uploaded the Class 12 marking scheme on their official website, cbse.gov.in. This resource clearly shows you the marks allocated to each chapter and the overall weightage for every subject. It's essential that you check this scheme and keep an eye out for any updates to the exam pattern.

This information is key to preparing well in advance for the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 and marking scheme.

👉 Also Check - CBSE 2026 Datesheet: Limited Gaps Between Key Subjects Upset Students

CBSE Board Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26

The following table provides a glimpse of the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26.

Component	Description
Organising Authority	Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Exam Format	20% Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 30% Competency-based (includes case/source-based, etc.) 50% Descriptive (short/long answer type)
Exam Timing	3 hours
Mode of Exam	Offline (Pen and Paper Based)
Subjects to Appear For	Minimum 5 and Maximum 6 (based on the student’s selection)
Marking Scheme	Full score: 100 marks (Theory + Practical/Project) Science Subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology): 70 Theory + 30 Practical Commerce Subjects (Accountancy, Economics, Business Studies): 80 Theory + 20 Project Work Mathematics: 80 Theory + 20 Internal Assessment
Passing Criteria (Per Subject)	33% marks required
Overall Qualifying Requirement	At least 33% aggregate across all subjects

CBSE Board Exam 2025-26: Major Updates

The most critical changes include an increased focus on competency and the introduction of a dual-attempt exam system.

1. Increased Weightage for Competency-Based Questions

The emphasis is strongly shifting from rote memorization to competency-based assessment that tests a student's ability to apply knowledge and solve problems in real-life contexts.

Question Type	Previous Weightage (Approx.)	New Weightage (2025-26)
Competency-Based Questions	40%	50%
(Includes MCQs, Case-Based, Source-Based)
Constructed Response Questions	40%	30%
(Short/Long Answer Types)
Select Response Type (MCQs)	20%	20%

Note: The combined weightage for all types of Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and competency-based questions is 70% (20% select-response MCQs + 50% competency-based, which includes MCQs/Case/Source-based). Different subjects may have minor variations.

👉 Also Check - CBSE Class 10, 12 Exam Registration 2026 - Check Guidelines, Fees and Full Process

2. Two Exam Attempts in a Single Academic Year

Students of Class 12 will have the option to appear for the board exams twice in a single academic year to reduce pressure and offer a chance for improvement. The better score of the two attempts will be considered for the final result.

Main Exam: The first attempt, held as per the usual timetable (tentatively starting February 2026).
Improvement Exam: A secondary, optional opportunity for students to improve their scores in a later phase (tentatively around May 2026).

CBSE 2026: Reforms That Support Students

The new pattern aims to make the board exams more balanced, flexible, and student-friendly:

Focus on Conceptual Learning & Critical Thinking: Tests will concentrate on the application of knowledge in scenarios, promoting critical thinking over simple recall.
Less Need for Coaching: The design aims to ensure that regular school learning and consistent study are sufficient for students to perform well.
Fairer Examination Pattern: The goal is to provide a more inclusive and less stressful environment, aligning with the principles of the NEP 2020.

👉 CBSE Class 12 Study Materials

CBSE Class 12 Full Study Material	CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper 2025-26
CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26	CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Papers
NCERT Books For Class 12 Books	NCERT Class 12 Solutions

Subject-wise Exam Pattern for CBSE Class 12 2025-26

The CBSE Class 12 Science exam pattern for 2025-26 has seen a major change! The weightage for competency-based questions (like MCQs and case-studies) is now 50%, up from 40%. Conversely, the weightage for constructed response questions (short and long answers) has been reduced from 40% to 30%. This shift focuses on testing your understanding and application of concepts, not just memory.

CBSE Class 12 Maths Exam Pattern 2025-26

Exam Component	Information
Total Score	100 Marks (divided into 80 for the written exam and 20 for the internal assessment)
Written Paper Structure	55% Objective Type (MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, true/false, or very short answer type) 25% Application-Based (Case/Source-based) 20% Descriptive (Short & Long Answers)
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

CBSE Class 12 Science Exam Pattern 2025-26

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

Category	Information
Marks Distribution	Theory: 70 marks Practical/Project Work: 30 marks
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (38%) Application-Based Questions (32%) Descriptive – Short & Long Answers (30%)
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

Category	Information
Marks Distribution	Theory: 70 marks Practical/Project Work: 30 marks
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (40%) Competency-based (30%) Descriptive – Short & Long Answers (30%)
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
Haloalkaline s & 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

Category	Information
Marks Distribution	Theory: 70 marks Practical/Project Work: 30 marks
Type of Questions	Multiple Choice Questions (50%) Competency-based (30%) Descriptive – Short & Long Answers (20%)
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 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2025-26

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