CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2026: Check Subject Wise Pattern, Marking Scheme

Roumik Roy

Updated on - Nov 18, 2025

The CBSE board has issued a new marking scheme for the class 10 theory and practical exams. Students will be evaluated based on 5 compulsory subjects for 80 marks in the theory exam and 20 marks for the internal assessments. 

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 on its official website. The exam pattern includes details on the type of questions, marking scheme, subject-wise weightage, and more! Students can check the CBSE 12th exam pattern on the official website, i.e., cbse.gov.in, or on this page!

As per the exam pattern, the paper will be conducted for a total of 3 hours. The paper will have 20% MCQ questions, 30% competency-based questions, and 50% long/ short answer questions. As per the CBSE Class 12 marking scheme 2025-26, different types of questions will have different marks allocated. The exam will be conducted for a total of 100 marks, including theory and practical exams. 

The CBSE Class 12 Exam 2025 will be conducted from February 17 to April 09, 2026, based on the pattern prescribed by the board. Check here CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 including marking scheme, weightage, and more!

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 Highlights

CBSE released a new exam pattern for class 12 CBSE and an assessment policy for the 2025 academic year. Students must have an idea of the CBSE marking scheme 2026 class 12 before appearing for the exam. To pass the exam, candidates need to achieve a minimum of 33% marks in each subject of the CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025-26.

The important highlights regarding the CBSE class 12 exam pattern 2025-26 are provided below.

Conducting Board Central Board of Secondary Education
Name of the Exam CBSE class 12th
Mode of exam  Offline (pen and paper)
Exam duration  3 hours 
Question paper pattern
  • 20% MCQs
  • 30% competency-based questions (multiple choice questions, case-based or source-based questions, etc.)
  • 50% short-answer or long-answer-type questions
Marking Scheme 100 (Theory+Practical)
  • 80 marks theory + 30 marks practicals for Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)
  • 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment for Mathematics
  • 80 marks theory + 20 marks project work for commerce subjects (Economics, Accountancy, and Business Studies)
Passing marks 33% in each subject (minimum)

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 Subject Wise

While the board follows a general exam pattern for CBSE class 12, the subject-wise pattern might vary. Having an idea of the pattern will help students plan their CBSE Class 12 Exam 2025 Preparation better. The subject wise CBSE class 12 exam pattern 2025-26 can be checked below.

Subjects Exam Pattern
Mathematics Check Here!
Physics Check Here!
Chemistry Check Here!
Biology Check Here!
Accountancy Check Here!

CBSE Class 12 Subject Wise Weightage

Each chapter in the CBSE 12th Maths syllabus has a different weightage in the exam. The chapters with more weightage are important and hence, must be focused on first to score well in the exam. However, students should not skip the chapters with low weightage, as sometimes these can contain long answer questions in the exam worth 4 marks.

The subject-wise weightage as per the CBSE class 12 exam pattern 2025-26 has been explained below.

Chapter Wise Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Maths

The chapter-wise weightage for CBSE 12th Maths can be checked in the table below:

Chapters Weightage in Exam
Unit 1 - Relations and Functions 8
Unit 2 - Algebra 10
Unit 3 - Calculus 35
Unit 4 - Vectors and Three-Dimensional Geometry 14
Unit 5 - Linear Programming 5
Unit 6 - Probability 8

Chapter Wise Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Physics

The chapter-wise weightage for CBSE 12th Physics can be checked in the table below:

Unit Topic Weightage
Units I and II Electrostatics 16 Marks 
Units III and IV Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism 17 Marks 
Units V and VI Electromagnetic Waves 18 Marks 
Chapter–8: Electromagnetic Waves
Units VII and VIII Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter 12 Marks 
Unit IX Electronic Devices 07 Marks 

Chapter Wise Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry

The chapter-wise weightage for CBSE 12th Chemistry can be checked in the table below:

Chapters Name Weightage in Marks
Solutions  7 
Electrochemistry  9 
Chemical Kinetics  7 
d -and f -Block Elements  7 
Coordination Compounds  7 
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes  6 
Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers  6 
Aldehydes, Ketones, and Carboxylic Acids  8 
Amines  6 
Biomolecules  7 

Chapter Wise Weightage for CBSE Class 12 Biology

The chapter-wise weightage for CBSE 12th Biology can be checked in the table below:

Chapters Weightage
Unit VI: Reproduction 16 marks
Unit VII: Genetics and Evolution 20 marks
Unit VIII: Biology and Human Welfare 12 marks
Unit IX: Biotechnology and Its Applications 12 marks
Unit X: Ecology and Environment 10 marks

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025-26 PDF

The CBSE board has published the subject-wise exam patterns on the official website - cbse.gov.in. Students can access the CBSE class 12 2025-26 exam pattern PDF from the direct link provided in the table below.

Particulars PDF Link
CBSE Exam Pattern 2025-26 Class 12 Download PDF
CBSE 12th Marks Distribution Scheme 2026 Download PDF

CBSE 12th Pass Marks 2025-26

To fulfil the passing criteria for CBSE class 12, students have to score 33% marks separately in theory and practical papers. Check the Passing Marks in CBSE Class 12 as per the CBSE class 12 exam pattern 2025-26 below:

  • The aggregate marks scored also have to be 33% of the total.
  • If a student obtains 33% marks in aggregate but does not score 33% in one of the subjects, they will have to sit for the compartment exam.
  • The total consists of marks obtained in both theory and practical papers.
  • Grace marks are awarded on a scale of two to five.

For more updates on the CBSE class 12 exam pattern, stay tuned!

FAQs on CBSE 12th Exam Pattern

Q: What is the CBSE 12th exam pattern for 2025-26?

Q: What is the CBSE marking scheme 2026 class 12 for internal assessments/projects?

Q: What is the total duration for the CBSE 12th exam paper?

Q: According to the CBSE 12th class exam pattern 2025-26, how much weightage is given to MCQs, long/short questions, and Competency-focused questions?

Q: What are the passing criteria as per the latest 12th CBSE 12th exam pattern for 2025-26?

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