CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2027 — Subject-Wise Marks & Question Types
CBSE Class 12 exam pattern 2027: 70+30 (science) and 80+20 (Maths, Commerce), section-wise question types from the 2026-27 sample papers, and practicals.
CBSE Class 12 board exam 2027: Physics, Chemistry and Biology are 70 marks theory + 30 marks practical. Maths and English Core are 80 theory + 20 internal assessment; Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics are 80 theory + 20 project. Papers are 3 hours plus 15 minutes of reading time. No negative marking. Class 12 has one main board exam, plus a supplementary exam in July. CBSE's 2026-27 sample papers say there is no change in the question paper design.
Every theory paper follows CBSE's design of 50% competency-focused questions, 20% MCQs and 30% short and long answers. The section patterns below are from the 2026-27 sample question papers on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Marks Split by Subject
| Subject | Theory | Practical / Project / IA | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Computer Science | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
Physics, Chemistry and Biology Paper Pattern (70 marks)
All three science papers use the same five-section design (33 questions):
| Section | Type | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs (Physics: 12 MCQ + 4 assertion-reason) | 16 × 1 | 16 |
| B | Very Short Answer | 5 × 2 | 10 |
| C | Short Answer | 7 × 3 | 21 |
| D | Case-Based | 2 × 4 | 8 |
| E | Long Answer | 3 × 5 | 15 |
| Total | 70 | ||
All questions are compulsory; there is internal choice in some questions.
Physics Unit-Wise Weightage (2026-27)
| Units | Marks |
|---|---|
| Electrostatics + Current Electricity | 16 |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism + EMI and AC | 17 |
| Electromagnetic Waves + Optics | 18 |
| Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter + Atoms and Nuclei | 12 |
| Electronic Devices | 7 |
| Total | 70 |
Mathematics Paper Pattern (80 marks)
| Section | Type | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs (18) + Assertion-Reason (2) | 20 × 1 | 20 |
| B | Very Short Answer | 5 × 2 | 10 |
| C | Short Answer | 6 × 3 | 18 |
| D | Long Answer | 4 × 5 | 20 |
| E | Case Study | 3 × 4 | 12 |
| Total | 80 | ||
All 38 questions are compulsory, with internal choice in some questions in Sections B, C, D and E. Maths scoring tip: Calculus carries 35 marks (44% of the paper). Linear Programming (5 marks) is still in the 2026-27 syllabus, and Probability carries 8.
Practise in the board-exam pattern
Super Tutor has chapter-wise practice quizzes, revision notes and board-pattern mock exams for CBSE Class 12.
Try it freeEnglish Core Paper Pattern (80 marks)
| Section | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A — Reading Skills | An unseen passage and a case-based factual passage | 22 |
| B — Creative Writing Skills | Notice, invitation and reply, letter, article or report | 18 |
| C — Literature | Flamingo and Vistas: extracts, short answers and long answers | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
There is no separate grammar section in Class 12 English Core. Internal assessment (20) is listening and speaking (5 + 5) and a project (10).
Commerce Subjects Pattern
Accountancy (80 marks, 34 questions)
| Part | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Accounting for Partnership Firms (36) and Companies (24) | 60 |
| Part B | Analysis of Financial Statements (12) and Cash Flow Statement (8), or Computerised Accounting | 20 |
Questions carry 1, 3, 4 or 6 marks, with internal choice in two questions each of 3, 4 and 6 marks.
Business Studies (80 marks, 34 questions)
| Part | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Principles and Functions of Management (Nature and Significance, Principles, Business Environment, Planning, Organising, Staffing, Directing, Controlling) | 50 |
| Part B | Business Finance and Marketing (Financial Management, Financial Markets, Marketing, Consumer Protection) | 30 |
Economics (80 marks)
Macroeconomics 40 + Indian Economic Development 40. The paper has 20 MCQs (1 mark), 4 short answers (3 marks), 6 short answers (4 marks) and 4 long answers (6 marks).
Time Management Strategy
| Activity | Time | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Reading time | 15 min (before the 3 hours) | Read the full paper. Categorise questions as easy/medium/hard. |
| MCQs | 20–25 min | About 1 min per MCQ. Mark unsure ones and return later. |
| Short answers (2–3 marks) | 50–60 min | Concise, point-wise. Include formulas and diagrams. |
| Case-based | 15–25 min | Read the case carefully. The data you need is usually in it. |
| Long answers (5 marks) | 35–45 min | Full steps, diagrams, derivations. Choose internal-choice options wisely. |
| Review | 15–20 min | Check calculations, fill in any blanks, verify MCQ answers. |
Practical and Internal Assessment Breakdown
| Subject | What the 20 or 30 marks cover (2026-27) |
|---|---|
| Physics (30) | Two experiments 7 + 7, practical record 5, one activity 3, investigatory project 3, viva 5 |
| Chemistry (30) | Volumetric analysis 8, salt analysis 8, content-based experiment 6, project 4, class record and viva 4 |
| Biology (30) | Major experiment 5, minor experiment 4, slide preparation 5, spotting 7, record and viva 4, project and viva 5 |
| Mathematics (20) | Periodic tests and maths activities |
| English Core (20) | Listening 5, speaking 5, project 10 |
| Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics (20) | Project work (with viva) |
Based on the CBSE Class XII sample question papers for 2026-27 and the Senior Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 (cbseacademic.nic.in). Always check the official sample paper for your subject.
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the total marks in CBSE Class 12 board exam?
Each subject has 100 marks: theory (70 or 80) plus practical, project or internal assessment (30 or 20). Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and similar subjects: 70 theory + 30 practical. Maths and English Core: 80 theory + 20 internal assessment. Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics: 80 theory + 20 project. Across 5 subjects that is 500 marks, though CBSE does not declare an aggregate percentage.
How long is the CBSE Class 12 board exam?
3 hours for the theory paper, plus 15 minutes of reading time before writing begins. Use the reading time to read the full paper, spot easy questions, plan your order and decide which internal-choice questions to attempt.
Is there negative marking in CBSE Class 12?
No. There is no negative marking in CBSE board exams. Attempt every question — subjective answers are marked step by step, so a partly correct answer can still earn marks.
What is the passing marks for CBSE Class 12?
You need at least 33% in each subject. In subjects with a practical component, the theory and practical parts must each be passed — about 23 of 70 and 10 of 30; check CBSE's current examination bye-laws for the exact rule. If you don't clear a subject, you can take it in the July supplementary exam.
How are practical marks calculated in Class 12?
Each science subject has its own 30-mark scheme. Physics (2026-27): two experiments 7 + 7, practical record 5, one activity 3, investigatory project 3, viva 5. Chemistry: volumetric analysis 8, salt analysis 8, content-based experiment 6, project 4, record and viva 4. Biology: major experiment 5, minor experiment 4, slide preparation 5, spotting 7, record and viva 4, project and viva 5. Practicals are held in school with an external examiner.