CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026
The CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026 defines the structure, question types, marks distribution, and duration of the board examination that students will face in early 2027. Understanding the exam pattern thoroughly before beginning preparation is critical — it determines how you study, what you prioritise, and how you write answers.
CBSE has consistently moved toward a more competency-based, application-oriented paper pattern over the last few years, and this trend continues for the 2027 board exams.
Overview of CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Pattern 2026-27
|
Parameter |
Details |
|
Conducting Body |
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
|
Exam Mode |
Offline (Pen and Paper) |
|
Exam Duration |
3 hours (for most subjects) |
|
Maximum Marks |
100 (Theory + Practical/Internal Assessment) |
|
Theory Paper Marks |
70–80 marks (subject-wise) |
|
Internal Assessment |
20–30 marks |
|
Medium |
English and Hindi (Urdu for select subjects) |
|
Negative Marking |
None |
|
Internal Choices |
Yes (in most long-answer sections) |
CBSE Board Exam Pattern — Type of Questions
CBSE Class 12 papers include a mix of question types aligned with Bloom's Taxonomy levels:
|
Question Type |
Cognitive Level |
Marks |
% of Paper (Approx.) |
|
MCQ / Objective |
Remembering, Understanding |
1 |
20–25% |
|
Assertion-Reason |
Analysing |
1 |
5% |
|
Very Short Answer |
Understanding |
2 |
10–15% |
|
Short Answer |
Applying, Analysing |
2–3 |
20–25% |
|
Case-Based / Source-Based |
Analysing, Evaluating |
4 |
15–20% |
|
Long Answer |
Evaluating, Creating |
5 |
20–25% |
Key change from 2023 onwards: Competency-Based Questions (CBQs) — which include case-based, source-based, data-based, and visual-based questions — now constitute approximately 40–50% of the total paper across most subjects.
Subject-Wise CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026
Physics (Code 042)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
70 (Theory) + 30 (Practical) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Sections |
A, B, C, D, E |
|
MCQ / Assertion-Reason |
18 questions (1 mark each) |
|
Very Short Answer |
7 questions (2 marks each) |
|
Short Answer |
5 questions (3 marks each) |
|
Case-Based |
3 questions (4 marks each) |
|
Long Answer |
3 questions (5 marks each, with internal choices) |
Chemistry (Code 043)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
70 (Theory) + 30 (Practical) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Sections |
A, B, C, D, E |
|
MCQ |
15 questions (1 mark each) |
|
VSA |
5 questions (2 marks each) |
|
SA-I |
7 questions (2 marks each) |
|
SA-II |
5 questions (3 marks each) |
|
Long Answer |
3 questions (5 marks each, with internal choices) |
Mathematics (Code 041)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Sections |
A, B, C, D, E |
|
MCQ |
18 questions (1 mark each) |
|
VSA |
5 questions (2 marks each) |
|
Short Answer |
6 questions (3 marks each) |
|
Long Answer |
4 questions (5 marks each) |
|
Case-Based |
3 questions (4 marks each) |
Biology (Code 044)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
70 (Theory) + 30 (Practical) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Sections |
A, B, C, D, E |
|
MCQ |
16 questions (1 mark each) |
|
VSA |
5 questions (2 marks each) |
|
Short Answer |
7 questions (3 marks each) |
|
Case-Based |
2 questions (4 marks each) |
|
Long Answer |
3 questions (5 marks each) |
English Core (Code 301)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Section A |
Reading: 2 unseen passages (22 marks) |
|
Section B |
Writing: Notice/Letter/Article/Speech (18 marks) |
|
Section C |
Literature: Flamingo + Vistas-based questions (40 marks) |
Accountancy (Code 055)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Part A |
Partnership Firms + Companies (60 marks) |
|
Part B |
Financial Statement Analysis OR Computerised Accounting (20 marks) |
|
MCQ/Objective |
20 questions approximately |
|
Case-Based |
Included |
|
Long Answer |
Journal/Ledger/P&L based problems |
Economics (Code 030)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Total Marks |
80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal Assessment) |
|
Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Part A |
Macroeconomics (40 marks) |
|
Part B |
Indian Economic Development (40 marks) |
|
MCQ |
1-mark questions across both parts |
|
Case-Based |
Data/diagram-based questions |
|
Long Answer |
6-mark questions in each part |
CBSE Exam Pattern Evolution — Year-Wise Comparison
|
Year |
Key Pattern Change |
|
2018–2019 |
Traditional format — mostly long and short answer questions |
|
2020 |
MCQs introduced formally in all subjects |
|
2022 |
Two-term exam (Term 1: MCQ only; Term 2: Descriptive) — COVID special |
|
2023 |
Return to single exam; CBQs increased to 30–40% |
|
2024 |
CBQs at 40–50%; case-based and assertion-reason questions prominent |
|
2025–26 |
Continued CBQ emphasis; application-based questions dominant |
|
2026-27 (2027 Exam) |
Full syllabus, single exam, ~40–50% CBQs; NCERT-aligned |
Key Features of CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Pattern 2027
1. Competency-Based Questions (CBQs)
CBQs test real-world application of concepts. They appear as case studies, passage-based questions, graphs, data tables, or diagram-based questions. Students must read carefully and apply concepts — not recall definitions alone.
2. Internal Choices
Most subjects provide internal choices in long-answer questions (usually "attempt any one of the two"). This gives students the flexibility to answer the question they are most confident about.
3. No Negative Marking
CBSE does not deduct marks for wrong answers in MCQs. Students should attempt all questions.
4. Compulsory Sections
While internal choice exists within questions, all sections are compulsory. Students cannot skip an entire section.
5. Diagram and Formula-Based Marks
Physics, Biology, and Chemistry papers explicitly allocate marks for labelled diagrams and formulae. These are not optional — they must be included in answers.
How to Prepare According to the CBSE Exam Pattern
|
Pattern Feature |
Preparation Strategy |
|
40–50% CBQs |
Practice passage and data-based questions from CBSE resources |
|
MCQs (20–25%) |
Speed practice; eliminate wrong options logically |
|
Long Answers (20–25%) |
Structure answers with headings and value points |
|
Case-Based Questions |
Read the passage carefully before answering sub-questions |
|
Numericals (Science/Maths) |
Practice step-by-step solving with units always written |
Students who want a complete, pattern-aligned practice experience should explore Oswaal Books for Class 12, as their subject-wise books are structured exactly around the latest CBSE paper pattern — covering all question types proportionally.
Other Recommended Books | Study Materials (All Subjects)
|
CBSE Sample Papers Class 12 | For 2026 Board Exams |
|
|
CBSE Question Banks Class 12 | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12 | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
NCERT Exemplar Class 12 | For Latest Board Exams |
|
|
CBSE One for All Class 12 | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
CBSE Syllabus Class 12 | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
CBSE Class 12 Notes | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
NCERT Books Class 12 | For 2027 Board Exams |
|
|
Free CBSE ICSE Specimen Sample Books for Teachers |
Practice Comprehensively with Oswaal360 CBSE Online Courses for Class 12 Board Exams 2027
Practice Now with Free Oswaal360 Online Mock Test for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2027
Are You a Teacher? Apply for FREE CBSE Class 12 Specimen Sample Books for Teachers from our end.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. CBSE has not announced any reduction for the 2026-27 session. The full NCERT syllabus applies.
Based on the current trend, approximately 40–50% of questions are competency-based (case-study, data-based, assertion-reason, application-level MCQs).
No. CBSE does not apply negative marking for wrong answers.
No. Calculators are not permitted in CBSE Class 12 board exams.
Most papers are 3 hours long. 15 minutes of reading time is given before the exam begins.
