CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026: Check Latest Update

2 minute read

Sanhita Kundu

Sanhita Kundu

Update on 17 Nov, 2025, 07:31 PM IST

The CBSE Class 12 marking scheme for 2026 introduces several important updates for students. Details are now live on the official portals cbse.gov.in and cbseacademic.nic.in. The tentative CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026 schedule was released on September 24, 2025, with exams starting February 17 and ending April 9, 2026. Adhering to the marking scheme helps every candidate plan an efficient and strategic study routine for each stream.

 

Table of Contents

  1. CBSE Class 12 Exam Dates 2026 and Practical Information
  2. CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Pattern Changes 2026
  3. CBSE Class 12 Subject-Wise Marks Distribution 2026
  4. CBSE Science Stream Marking Scheme 2026
  5. CBSE Mathematics Marking Scheme 2026
  6. CBSE Commerce Stream Marking Scheme 2026
  7. CBSE Arts/Humanities Marking Scheme 2026
  8. How to Download CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026
  9. Recent Changes to CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026
  10. Class 12 Board Exam Preparation Tips With Marking Scheme
  11. Conclusion

 

CBSE Class 12 Exam Dates 2026

Students need a clear overview of the latest board exam window and practical requirements for better time management. The table below summarizes the key dates and how to access the final schedule.

Exam Window

First Exam Date

Last Exam Date

Official Websites

Final Date Sheet Release

February–April 2026

February 17, 2026

April 9, 2026

cbse.gov.in, cbseacademic.nic.in

November 2025 (Expected)

 

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Pattern Changes 2026

This academic year sees more competency-based questions in CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Pattern 2026. The following table compares changes from 2025 to 2026 for quick reference.

CBSE Exam Component

2025 Pattern

2026 Pattern

Competency-based Questions

40%

50%

MCQ/Select Response Type

20%

20%

Constructed Response Type

40%

30%

The new focus is on analytical and case-based thinking, helping students prepare beyond standard theory questions.

 

CBSE Class 12 Subject-Wise Marks Distribution 2026

Knowing total marks and how project, practical, or internal assessment scores are calculated for each subject stream is vital for exam planning. This table displays the marks split for every major subject.

Subject

Theory Marks

Project/Practical/Internal Assessment

Total Marks

English Core

80

20

100

Physics

70

30

100

Chemistry

70

30

100

Biology

70

30

100

Mathematics

80

20

100

Accountancy

80

20

100

Economics

80

20

100

Business Studies

80

20

100

Political Science

80

20

100

Computer Science

70

30

100

 

CBSE Science Stream Marking Scheme 2026

Science subjects require students to balance practical and theory portions for optimal performance. The table below divides marks allocation for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Subject

Theory Sections

Theory Marks

Practical/Project

Practical Marks

Total Marks

Physics

MCQs, Very Short, Short, Case Study, Long Answers

70

Experiments, Viva, Record, Project

30

100

Chemistry

MCQs, Very Short, Short, Case Study, Long Answers

70

Experiments, Viva, Record, Project

30

100

Biology

MCQs, Very Short, Short, Case Study, Long Answers

70

Experiments, Viva, Record, Project

30

100

 

CBSE Mathematics Marking Scheme 2026

Here is how Mathematics evaluates students in terms of theory and internal assessments, providing a transparent blueprint of the question pattern.

Section

Type of Questions

Number of Questions

Marks Each

Section Total

A

MCQs + Assertion-Reason

20

1

20

B

Very Short Answer

5

2

10

C

Short Answer

6

3

18

D

Long Answer

4

5

20

E

Case/Source-Based

3

4

12

 

Internal Assessment

  

20

 

Total

  

100

 

CBSE Commerce Stream Marking Scheme 2026

Commerce students should focus on theory plus real-world project work. This table shows the marks breakdown for Accountancy, Business Studies, and Economics.

Subject

Theory Structure

Theory Marks

Project/Internal

Project Marks

Total

Accountancy

Partnership, Companies, Analysis, Computerized Acc.

80

Project/Field

20

100

Business Studies

Principles, Marketing, Finance, Organization

80

Project/Field

20

100

Economics

Macro, Indian Economic Development

80

Project/Field

20

100

 

CBSE Arts/Humanities Marking Scheme 2026

Arts stream subjects feature both comprehensive written exams and project work, as shown below.

Subject

Major Sections

Theory Marks

Project/Internal

Project Marks

Total Marks

Political Science

MCQs, Short, Long, Passage

80

Project/Field

20

100

History

Source, Short, Long

80

Project/Field

20

100

Sociology

Analytical, Short, Long

80

Project/Field

20

100

 

How to Download CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026?

The process for downloading the official CBSE Class 12 marking scheme and sample papers is completed in five steps as described below:

Step

Action

1

Visit cbseacademic.nic.in

2

Click “Sample Question Paper/SQP 2025-26”

3

Choose “Class 12”

4

Select the required subject

5

Download and print the PDF

Official resources are always reliable for correct syllabus, exam pattern, and marking information.

 

Recent Changes to CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026

Understanding year-on-year evaluation pattern updates is essential for top scores. The table below clarifies the new weighting.

Year

Competency Focused

MCQ

Constructed Response

2025

40%

20%

40%

2026

50%

20%

30%

Students should train for more case-based and application questions in 2026.

 

Class 12 Board Exam Preparation Tips With Marking Scheme

This practical table provides actionable tips every candidate can use to maximize scores by leveraging the official marking pattern.

Focus Area

Preparation Approach

Competency/Case-Based Qs

Practice application-based and real-world questions

MCQs/Select Response

Review concepts for direct, concise answers

Practical/Project Work

Allocate time weekly for experiments and documentation

High-Weightage Chapters

Start with chapters carrying major marks per subject

 

Conclusion

The CBSE Class 12 marking scheme for 2026 reflects the latest shift towards competency-based education, emphasizing more application-oriented and analytical questions across all streams. Students must pay close attention to subject-wise weightage, with Science subjects distinctly balancing theory and practicals, Commerce and Arts integrating project work and internal assessments, and the new pattern requiring a strong grasp of MCQs and case-based formats. Preparing with these official guidelines, available on cbse.gov.in and cbseacademic.nic.in, will help candidates maximize scores and boost their readiness for college admissions and competitive exams. Understanding the marking breakdown and focusing on high-weightage topics is the key to performing well in the February–April 2026 board exams

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