CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026
CBSE Sample Papers are one of the most reliable and effective tools for board exam preparation. Released officially by the Central Board of Secondary Education, these papers give students a preview of the actual question paper format, difficulty level, and marking pattern. For students preparing for the CBSE Board Exams 2027, practicing with sample papers from the 2026 cycle is essential to understand the evolving exam pattern.
What Are CBSE Sample Papers?
CBSE Sample Papers (also referred to as model papers or board sample papers) are specimen question papers released by CBSE, usually in September–October each academic year. They serve the following purposes:
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Demonstrate the exact paper structure and question types
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Show the distribution of marks across sections
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Introduce students to Competency-Based Questions (CBQs) and case-study-based items
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Provide an official marking scheme so students understand how answers are evaluated
CBSE releases sample papers along with their marking schemes, which are equally important for exam preparation.
CBSE Sample Paper Class 12 — Key Features (2026 Pattern)
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Releasing Authority |
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
|
Release Time |
September–October (before board exams) |
|
Accompanied By |
Official Marking Scheme |
|
Purpose |
Understanding exam format and question distribution |
|
Availability |
cbseacademic.nic.in (free download) |
|
Exam Year |
Board Exams 2027 |
CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper Structure — Subject-Wise Breakdown
Physics Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
A |
MCQs / Assertion-Reason |
18 |
1 |
18 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer |
7 |
2 |
14 |
|
C |
Short Answer |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
D |
Case-Based Questions |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
E |
Long Answer |
3 |
5 |
15 (attempt 3 of 3 with internal choice) |
|
Total |
70 |
Chemistry Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
A |
MCQs |
15 |
1 |
15 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer (VSA) |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
C |
Short Answer I (SA-I) |
7 |
2 |
14 |
|
D |
Short Answer II (SA-II) |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
E |
Long Answer |
3 |
5 |
16 (with internal choice) |
|
Total |
70 |
Mathematics Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
A |
MCQs |
18 |
1 |
18 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
C |
Short Answer |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
D |
Long Answer |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
E |
Case-Based Questions |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
Total |
80 |
Note: 2 marks are from Internal Assessment. Theory = 80 marks.
Biology Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
A |
MCQs |
16 |
1 |
16 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
C |
Short Answer |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
D |
Case-Based Questions |
2 |
— |
4+4 |
|
E |
Long Answer |
3 |
5 |
15 |
|
Total |
70 |
English Core Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Component |
Marks |
|
A |
Reading Comprehension (2 unseen passages) |
22 |
|
B |
Writing Skills (Notice, Letter, Article/Speech) |
18 |
|
C |
Literature (Flamingo + Vistas) |
40 |
|
Total Theory |
80 |
|
|
Internal Assessment |
Listening & Speaking Skills, Portfolio |
20 |
Accountancy Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part A |
Accounting for Partnership & Companies |
60 |
|
Part B |
Financial Statement Analysis OR Computerised Accounting |
20 |
|
Total Theory |
80 |
Economics Sample Paper Pattern
|
Section |
Content |
Marks |
|
Part A |
Introductory Macroeconomics |
40 |
|
Part B |
Indian Economic Development |
40 |
|
Total Theory |
80 |
How CBSE Sample Papers Have Evolved (2023–2026)
Understanding the trend of changes in sample paper design helps students prepare smarter:
|
Year |
Key Change |
|
2023 |
Increased share of competency-based questions (30–40%) |
|
2024 |
Introduction of more case-study and data-based questions in Science |
|
2025 |
Further increase in CBQs; reduced standalone rote-recall questions |
|
2026 |
Competency-based questions account for 40–50% of the paper across most subjects |
The 2027 Board Exam sample papers (released in late 2026) are expected to continue this competency-based trajectory.
Importance of the CBSE Marking Scheme
The official marking scheme released with CBSE sample papers is not just an answer key — it is a detailed guide that includes:
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Step-by-step solutions for numerical and descriptive questions
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Value points that examiners look for
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Acceptable alternative answers and how partial marks are awarded
-
Diagrams and formats expected in answers
Students who study the marking scheme alongside sample papers develop a much clearer understanding of how to frame answers to maximise marks.
CBSE Model Paper vs Sample Paper vs Previous Year Paper — Key Differences
|
Parameter |
CBSE Sample Paper |
Model Paper |
Previous Year Paper |
|
Released By |
CBSE officially |
Publishers/coaching centres |
CBSE (after each exam) |
|
Accuracy to Real Exam |
Very High |
Moderate to High |
Exact (past papers) |
|
Availability |
cbseacademic.nic.in |
Bookstores, online |
cbseacademic.nic.in |
|
Best Used For |
Pattern understanding |
Practice |
Difficulty calibration |
How to Use CBSE Sample Papers Effectively
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Attempt under exam conditions: Set a timer, sit in a quiet place, and solve the paper without referring to books.
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Self-evaluate using the marking scheme: Compare your answers step by step with the official solution.
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Identify weak areas: Note the sections or question types where you lost marks.
-
Repeat with multiple papers: Solve at least 5–10 sample papers per subject before the board exam.
-
Track your scores: Maintain a score log to monitor improvement over time.
For students who want well-curated, CBSE-aligned sample papers with detailed solutions and marking scheme hints, Oswaal Books provide subject-wise sample paper sets that mirror the official CBSE format — a great practice resource once you have solved the official CBSE sample papers first.
Where to Download CBSE Sample Papers 2026 for Free
The official source for CBSE sample papers is:
CBSE Academic Website: https://cbseacademic.nic.in
Navigate to: Curriculum > Sample Question Papers > Secondary & Senior Secondary
Papers are available in PDF format for all subjects and both Hindi and English mediums.
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, but they follow the same format, marks distribution, and question types. The actual paper is different in content but follows the same blueprint.
Ideally, solve the official CBSE sample paper first, followed by 5–8 additional practice papers to build speed and accuracy.
CBSE typically releases them in September–October 2026. Watch the official CBSE website for announcements.
Yes. Reading the official marking scheme is as important as solving the paper itself. It teaches you how examiners evaluate answers.
