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WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern: Paper Format, Subject-Wise Marking Scheme

• Updated on 4 Nov, 2025 by Ankita Banerjee

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern has been released by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education as the WBCHSE 2026 Exam is scheduled to begin from February 12 to February 27, 2026, in a single shift (9:45 AM to 1:00 PM). All the subjects are of 100 marks, which is then divided between the theory and practical exams. The WBCHSE Class 12 Exam 2026 is conducted in offline pen and paper mode. Students are advised to go through the West Bengal HS Exam 2026 Syllabus and Pattern thoroughly and start their preparation already.

 

Table of Contents

  1. WBCHSE 2026 Exam Highlights
  2. WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights
  3. WBCHSE 2026 Exam Preparation Tips
  4. WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Highlights

For students preparing for the WBCHSE 2026 Exam, a table with all the necessary details is provided below:

Particulars

Details

Full Exam Name

West Bengal Board 12th Examination

Short Exam Name

West Bengal 12th

Conducting Body

West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education

Frequency of Conduct

Once a year

Exam Level

Intermediate

West Bengal HS Exam 2026

February 12 to February 27, 2026

Exam Duration

3 hours 15 minutes

Read: WBCHSE 2026 Exam Application Process

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern Highlights

Students need to be familiar with the exam pattern to prepare and perform well in their exams. WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern varies with the subject. A table with WB Class 12 Exam 2026 Pattern Highlights is given below for students' reference:

Subjects

Theory Marks

Project/Practical Marks

Total

Arabic, Bengali (A and B), Hindi (A and B), English (A and B), Alternative English, Nepali (A and B), Odia, Persian, Sanskrit, Santhali, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics, Agronomy, Anthropology, Commercial Law and Preliminaries of Auditing, Costing and Taxation, Education, Environment Studies, History, Journalism and Mass Communication, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology

80

20 (Project)

100

Biological Science, Chemistry, Physics, Modern Computer Application, Computer Science, Geography, Nutrition, Psychology, Statistics

70

30 (Practical)

100

Urdu

100

-

100

Music, Visual Art

50

50 (Practical)

100

Health and Physical Education

70

30 (Practical)

100

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Science Stream

Students can go through the following table to get an idea about the subject-wise exam pattern for the Science Stream:

Subject

Theory Marks

Practical Marks

Question Pattern

Duration

Physics

70

30

30% MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Long Answer Questions

3 hours

Chemistry

70

30

30% MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Long Answer Questions

3 hours

Biology

70

30

30% MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Diagram-based

3 hours

Mathematics

100

-

30% MCQs

 

Problem-solving

 

Application sums

3 hours

Computer Science

70

30

MCQs

 

Coding/Logic-based

 

Practical evaluation

3 hours

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Commerce Stream

Students can go through the following table to get an idea about the subject-wise exam pattern for the Commerce Stream:

Subject

Theory Marks

Practical Marks

Question Pattern

Duration

Accountancy

80

20 (Project/Practical)

30% MCQs

 

Journal/Balance Sheet

 

Theory

3 hours

Business Studies

80

20 (Case Study Project)

30% MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Case Studies

3 hours

Economics

80

20 (Project Work)

MCQs

 

Numerical

 

Application Questions

3 hours

Mathematics (Commerce)

100

-

MCQs

 

Application-based Sums

3 hours

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Arts Stream

Students can go through the following table to get an idea about the subject-wise exam pattern for the Arts Stream:

Subject

Theory Marks

Question Pattern

Duration

History

100

30% MCQs

 

Short and Long Descriptive

3 hours

Political Science

100

MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Essay-type Questions

3 hours

Geography

70

MCQs

 

Map-based

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Long Answer Questions

3 hours

Philosophy

100

MCQs

 

Short & Analytical Questions

3 hours

Sociology

100

30% MCQs

 

Short Answer Questions

 

Descriptive

3 hours

Also Check: WBCHSE 2026 Admit Card

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Physics

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Physics here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Electronics

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

2

3

6

Current Electricity

MCQ

2

1

2

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Magnetic effect of current and magnetism

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

2

3

6

Electronic Devices

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Optics

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

3

3

9

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Chemistry

Students preparing for the Exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Chemistry here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Solid state

MCQ

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Chemical Kinetics

MCQ

1

1

1

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Solution

MCQ

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Surface Chemistry

MCQ

1

1

1

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Electrochemistry

MCQ

1

1

1

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

P block elements

MCQ

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Co-ordination compounds

MCQ

1

1

1

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

d & f block elements

MCQ

1

1

1

Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers

MCQ

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Haloalkanes & Haloarenes

MCQ

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic acids

MCQ

2

1

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Biomolecules

MCQ

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

Organic compounds containing Nitrogen

MCQ

1

1

1

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

Get details on WBCHSE 2026 Exam Syllabus

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Mathematics

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Mathematics here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Algebra

MCQ

2

1

2

Very Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

Short Answer Questions

1

4

4

3D Geometry

MCQ

2

1

2

Very Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

Short Answer Questions

1

4

4

Long Answer Questions

1

5

5

Calculus

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

3

2

6

Short Answer Questions

4

4

16

Long Answer Questions

2

5

10

Relations & Functions

MCQ

2

1

2

Very Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

Short Answer Questions

1

4

4

Probability

MCQ

2

1

2

Very Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

Short Answer Questions

1

4

4

Linear Programming

Long Answer Questions

1

5

5

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Biology

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Biology here:

Topic

Question Types

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Reproduction

MCQ

4

1

4

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

2

3

6

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Ecology & Environment

MCQ

3

1

3

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

1

3

3

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Genetics & Evolution

MCQ

5

1

5

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

2

2

3 Mark Questions

3

3

9

5 Mark Questions

1

5

5

Biology in Human Welfare

MCQ

2

1

2

Very Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

2

2

4

3 Mark Questions

3

3

9

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for English

Students preparing for the Exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for English here:

Topic

Total Marks

Drama

10

Poetry

20

Prose

20

Unseen Passage

10

Textual Grammer

10

ESP (Writing Skills)

10

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Bengali

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Bengali here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Prose

MCQ

5

1

5

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

Drama

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

Poem

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

International Poem/Indian Story

MCQ

1

1

1

Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

Language

MCQ

2

1

2

Short Answer Questions

5

1

5

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

History of the Bengali Language

MCQ

3

1

3

Descriptive Type Question

2

5

10

Comprehension

Descriptive Type Question

1

10

10

Manuscript

Descriptive Type Question

1

5

5

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for History

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for History here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Remembering the past

MCQ

3

1

3

Descriptive Type Question

4

5

20

The Nature of Colonial Dominance: Formal and Informal Empires

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

5

1

5

Reaction to Imperialistic Hegemony

MCQ

7

1

7

Short Answer Questions

4

1

4

Governing the Colonial State of India

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

5

1

5

Descriptive Type Question

4

5

20

The Second World War and the colonies

MCQ

5

1

5

Short Answer Questions

4

1

4

 

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Political Science

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Political Science here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

International relations

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

4

5

20

Descriptive Type Question

1

8

8

Organs of Government

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

4

1

4

Major Political Doctrines

MCQ

2

1

2

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

8

8

Judiciary in India

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

8

8

Legislature in India

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

8

8

Local Self-Government

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Executive in India

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

8

8

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Geography

Students preparing for the exam can find the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern for Geography here:

Topic

Question Type

Total Questions

Marks of Each Question

Total Marks

Geographic processes, works of groundwater, and associated landforms

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

7

7

Atmosphere

MCQ

4

1

4

Short Answer Questions

3

1

3

Soil

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

7

7

Biodiversity

MCQ

2

1

2

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Population and settlement

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

7

7

Economic activities, Primary activity: Agriculture

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

2

1

2

Descriptive Type Question

1

7

7

Secondary activity: Industry

MCQ

3

1

3

Short Answer Questions

1

1

1

Descriptive Type Question

1

7

7

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Preparation Tips

Here are a few important WBCHSE 2026 Exam Preparation Tips students must follow while studying for their exams:

  • Students are advised to ensure that their daily study plan includes breaks between study sessions, so that they do not become too tired.
  • Students should solve the West Bengal HS Exam 2026 Sample papers regularly, including the previous years’ questions.
  • When reading a subject, students are recommended to take short notes and pointers. It can be very useful in making revision easier, and the student will not need to re-read the whole textbook.
  • Attempt to study with friends and get group study sessions. This will help clear doubts much quicker than when doing it individually.

 

WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern FAQs

When will the WBCHSE 2026 Exam take place?

The WBCHSE 2026 Exam will begin from February 12 to February 27, 2026. The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has released the official datesheet, and students are required to review it and begin their preparation immediately.

What is the full form of WBCHSE?

The full form of WBCHSE is the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education. This board is responsible for the West Bengal HS exam 2026. The exam is scheduled to be conducted from February 12 to February 27, 202,6, in offline pen and paper mode. This is a state-level intermediate exam taken by over 6 lakh students annually.

What is the timetable of the WBCHSE 2026 Exam?

The exams will begin on February 12, 2026 (Thursday) with Bengali (A), English (A), Hindi (A), Nepali (A), Urdu, Santhali, Odia, Telugu, and Punjabi. On February 13, 2026 (Friday), the subjects are English (B), Bengali (B), Hindi (B), Nepali (B), and Alternative English. On February 17, 2026 (Tuesday), the exams include Physics, Nutrition, Education, and Accountancy. On February 18, 2026 (Wednesday), the vocational subjects are Health Care, Automobile, Organised Retailing, Security, IT and ITeS, Electronics, Tourism & Hospitality, Plumbing, Construction, Apparel, Beauty and Wellness, Agriculture (AGLV), Power, Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Food Processing, and Telecom. On February 19, 2026 (Thursday), the subjects are Mathematics, Agriculture (AGRI), Journalism and Mass Communication, Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic. On February 20, 2026 (Friday), the papers are Biological Science, Political Science, and Costing and Taxation. On February 21, 2026 (Saturday), the subjects are Statistics, Psychology, Commercial Law, Preliminaries of Auditing, and History. On February 23, 2026 (Monday), the exams include Chemistry, Geography, Human Development and Resource Management, and Business Studies. On February 24, 2026 (Tuesday), Philosophy will be held. On February 25, 2026 (Wednesday), the subjects are Economics, Anthropology, Science of Well Being, and Applied Artificial Intelligence. On February 26, 2026 (Thursday), the exams are Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Sociology. Finally, on February 27, 2026 (Friday), the subjects are Computer Science, Modern Computer Application, Environmental Studies, Health & Physical Education, Music, and Visual Arts.

How many students appear for the West Bengal HS Exam every year?

Every year, over 6 lakh students appear for the West Bengal Board Class 12 Exam. In 2024, a total of 7,55,324 students appeared for the West Bengal HS Exam. West Bengal HS Exam is conducted in an offline pen-and-paper mode.

What are the pass marks for the WBCHSE 2026 Exam?

The pass marks for the WBCHSE 2026 Exam are 30%. Students need to score at least 30% of the total marks for each compulsory subject to pass the examinations. Therefore, students must start their preparation already and perform well in the exam to get good marks.

Is there any change in the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern?

Yes, there is a change in the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern. The board has decided to follow a semester-based exam system. Semester 1 and 2 will be conducted in Class 11, and Semester 3 and 4 will be conducted in Class 12. Also, at least 30% of the questions in all the subjects must be MCQs.

Why is it important to check the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern before starting preparation?

Students must go through the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern before starting their preparation because it helps them understand what to study, how many marks each chapter has, and how the exam question paper will be set. Students can also make a proper study plan, focus on the most important chapters, and avoid studying unnecessary topics.

Does the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern have any negative marking?

No, the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern does not have any negative marking. WBCHSE does not deduct any marks for wrong answers in any objective questions. This lets students attempt all questions asked in the WBCHSE 2026 Exam without worrying about losing marks. Therefore, students must attempt all the questions asked in the WB Board exams.

What is the passing criteria according to the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern?

The passing criteria according to the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern are 30 per cent. Students need to score at least 30% of the total marks for each compulsory subject to pass the examinations. Therefore, students must start their preparation already and do well in the exam to score good marks.

Does the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern change every year?

No, the WBCHSE 2026 Exam Pattern change does not change every year. The board has recently adopted a semester-based exam system. Semester 1 and 2 will be conducted in Class 11, and Semester 3 and 4 will be conducted in Class 12. Also, at least 30% of the questions in all the subjects must be MCQs. Students must keep checking the official WBCHSE website to stay updated with any changes.