CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2026 — Subject-Wise Marks
CBSE Class 12 marking scheme 2026 — Science 70+30 (theory+practical), Commerce & Maths 80+20, the 33% passing rule, and subject-wise marks for every stream.
CBSE Class 12 marking varies by stream — Science subjects have 30 marks practicals, while Commerce and Arts have 20 marks internal assessment. Understanding the exact marks split and step marking rules can add 15–20 marks to your board exam score.
Science Stream — Marks Distribution
| Subject | Theory | Practical | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 (IA) | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 (IA) | 100 |
IA = Internal Assessment (periodic tests, notebook, subject enrichment). Physics, Chemistry, and Biology have a separate practical exam with an external examiner.
Commerce Stream — Marks Distribution
| Subject | Theory | Internal Assessment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Arts/Humanities Stream — Marks Distribution
| Subject | Theory | Internal Assessment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Geography | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| Psychology | 70 | 30 | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Practical Exam Breakdown — Science Subjects (30 Marks)
| Component | Physics | Chemistry | Biology |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experiments | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Activities | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Project/Investigatory | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Practical Record + Viva | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Written Test (practical-based) | 5 | 5 | 5 |
How Step Marking Works in Class 12
Physics — 5-Mark Numerical Example
| Step | What Examiner Checks | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Correct formula or law stated | 1 |
| 2 | Diagram drawn and labelled (if applicable) | 1 |
| 3 | Correct substitution of values with units | 1 |
| 4 | Correct intermediate calculation | 1 |
| 5 | Final answer with correct units and significant figures | 1 |
Accountancy — Journal Entry Question
| Step | What Examiner Checks | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Correct accounts identified (debit/credit) | 0.5 per entry |
| 2 | Correct amount | 0.5 per entry |
| 3 | Narration | Usually not marked, but expected |
Practise with step marking in mind
Super Tutor shows CBSE Class 12 solutions in the marking-scheme-friendly format.
Start Practising — FreeCommon Mistakes That Cost Marks
| Subject | Common Mistake | Marks Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Not drawing circuit/ray diagrams | 1–2 per question |
| Physics | Missing units or significant figures | 0.5–1 per answer |
| Chemistry | Unbalanced equations, missing conditions | 1 per equation |
| Chemistry | Not writing IUPAC names correctly | 0.5–1 per name |
| Maths | Skipping steps in integration/differentiation | 1–2 per question |
| Biology | Unlabelled or small diagrams | 1–2 per diagram |
| Accountancy | Wrong format for financial statements | 2–3 per statement |
| Economics | Missing diagrams for supply/demand | 1–2 per question |
Unit-Wise Weightage — Physics, Chemistry, Maths
Physics (70 Marks Theory)
| Unit | Marks |
|---|---|
| Electrostatics & Current Electricity | 16 |
| Magnetic Effects & EMI | 12 |
| Optics | 14 |
| Dual Nature & Atoms/Nuclei | 12 |
| Electronic Devices | 7 |
| EM Waves & Communication | 9 |
Chemistry (70 Marks Theory)
| Unit | Marks |
|---|---|
| Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry | 16 |
| Chemical Kinetics & Surface Chemistry | 9 |
| d- and f-Block, Coordination Compounds | 12 |
| Organic Chemistry (Haloalkanes to Biomolecules) | 20 |
| p-Block Elements | 6 |
| Chemistry in Everyday Life | 7 |
Mathematics (80 Marks Theory)
| Unit | Marks |
|---|---|
| Relations & Functions | 8 |
| Algebra (Matrices & Determinants) | 10 |
| Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, Differential Equations) | 35 |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | 14 |
| Linear Programming | 5 |
| Probability | 8 |
Calculus carries 35 out of 80 marks (44%) — this single unit can make or break your Maths score.
Based on CBSE Class 12 marking scheme and unit-wise weightage for 2025–26. Practical marks split may vary slightly by school. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Do CBSE Class 12 examiners strictly follow the marking scheme?
Yes. CBSE provides a detailed marking scheme to all examiners at centralised evaluation centres. Each step in a solution has pre-defined marks. Examiners must follow this scheme exactly. A sample of papers is re-checked by senior examiners for quality control, so consistency is enforced.
How are CBSE Class 12 practicals marked?
Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) have 30 marks for practicals: Experiments (8–12 marks), Project/Investigatory Project (5–7 marks), Practical Record/Viva Voce (5–7 marks), and Internal Examiner Assessment (5–7 marks). An external examiner is present during the practical exam, unlike Class 10.
What is the CBSE Class 12 passing criteria?
You need 33% of total marks (theory + practical/internal) in each subject. For a subject with 70 marks theory and 30 marks practical, you need at least 23 marks in theory AND 33 marks overall. You must also pass theory and practical separately — you cannot compensate a failed theory with high practical marks.
Does CBSE give grace marks in Class 12?
CBSE has a moderation policy applied at their discretion. If a student fails by 1–2 marks in 1–2 subjects, grace marks may be added. If a paper was unusually difficult, marks may be moderated upward for all students. The exact policy is not publicly disclosed and changes each year. Do not rely on grace marks.
How many marks does a diagram carry in Class 12 Physics?
Diagrams in CBSE Class 12 Physics typically carry 1–2 marks each. For circuit diagrams, ray diagrams, and experimental setups, the diagram itself gets marks plus additional marks for correct labelling. Always draw large, neat diagrams with all components labelled — this is easy marks.
What is the difference between Class 12 marking for Science vs Commerce?
Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) have 70 marks theory + 30 marks practicals. Commerce subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics) have 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment (project + periodic tests). Maths has 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment in both streams.