CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme 2027 — Subject-Wise Marks
CBSE Class 12 marking scheme 2027: Science 70+30 (theory + practical), Commerce and Maths 80+20, the pass rule, and subject-wise marks for every stream.
CBSE Class 12 marking varies by subject — science subjects have a 30-mark practical exam, while Commerce subjects and most Humanities subjects have 20 marks of project work. Knowing the exact split and how step marking works helps you avoid losing easy marks.
Class 12 has one main board exam (February–March 2027), plus the July supplementary exam. Each theory paper is 50% competency-focused questions, 20% MCQs and 30% short and long answers, and CBSE publishes an official marking scheme with every sample paper on cbseacademic.nic.in.
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. In Maths it is periodic tests and maths activities; in English Core it is listening and speaking (5 + 5) and a project (10). Physics, Chemistry and Biology have a separate practical exam with an external examiner.
Commerce Stream — Marks Distribution
| Subject | Theory | Project / IA | 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 | Project / Practical | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| History | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| Geography | 70 | 30 (practical) | 100 |
| Psychology | 70 | 30 (practical) | 100 |
| Sociology | 80 | 20 | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Practical Exam Breakdown — Science Subjects (30 Marks)
From the CBSE 2026-27 syllabus for each subject:
| Subject | Evaluation scheme (30 marks) |
|---|---|
| Physics | Two experiments (one from each section) 7 + 7, practical record 5, one activity 3, investigatory project 3, viva on experiments, activities and project 5 |
| Chemistry | Volumetric analysis 8, salt analysis 8, content-based experiment 6, project work 4, class record and viva 4 |
| Biology | One major experiment 5, one minor experiment 4, slide preparation 5, spotting 7, practical record and viva 4, investigatory project with record and viva 5 |
How Step Marking Works in Class 12
The splits below are illustrations; the official marking scheme for each paper gives the exact allocation.
Physics — 5-Mark Numerical (illustration)
| 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 (illustration)
| 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 has exam answer templates, revision notes and practice quizzes for CBSE Class 12 subjects.
Start freeCommon Mistakes That Cost Marks
| Subject | Common Mistake | Why It Costs Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Not drawing the circuit or ray diagram asked for | The diagram and its labels carry marks |
| Physics | Missing units | Can cost the answer mark |
| Chemistry | Unbalanced equations, missing conditions | An incomplete equation can lose its mark |
| Chemistry | Wrong IUPAC names | Names are marked as right or wrong |
| Maths | Skipping steps in integration/differentiation | Step marks are lost |
| Biology | Unlabelled or tiny diagrams | Labels usually carry marks |
| Accountancy | Wrong format for statements | Format and headings carry marks |
| Economics | Missing diagrams where asked | The diagram is part of the expected answer |
Unit-Wise Weightage (2026-27) — Physics, Chemistry, Maths
Physics (70 Marks Theory)
| Units | Marks |
|---|---|
| Electrostatics + Current Electricity | 16 |
| Magnetic Effects of Current and Magnetism + EMI and Alternating Currents | 17 |
| Electromagnetic Waves + Optics | 18 |
| Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter + Atoms and Nuclei | 12 |
| Electronic Devices | 7 |
Chemistry (70 Marks Theory)
| Unit | 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 |
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. Linear Programming is still in the 2026-27 syllabus.
Based on the CBSE Senior Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 (subject syllabi, unit-wise marks and practical evaluation schemes) on cbseacademic.nic.in.
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Do CBSE Class 12 examiners strictly follow the marking scheme?
Yes. Examiners mark to CBSE's standardised marking scheme, which gives marks for the steps of each answer. In 2026 every Class 12 answer book was marked on screen: examiners entered marks question by question, the system added them up, and Head Examiners and Additional Head Examiners could randomly check evaluated answer books.
How are CBSE Class 12 practicals marked?
Physics, Chemistry and Biology each have a 30-mark practical exam, split differently by subject. 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, class record and viva 4. Biology: major experiment 5, minor experiment 4, slide preparation 5, spotting 7, practical record and viva 4, investigatory project and viva 5.
What is the CBSE Class 12 passing criteria?
You need at least 33% in each subject. In subjects with a practical component, CBSE requires passing the theory and practical parts separately, so strong practical marks can't make up for a failed theory paper; for a 70-mark theory paper, 33% is about 23 marks. Check the current examination bye-laws on cbse.gov.in for the exact rule. If you fail a main subject, a sixth subject can replace it, provided English or Hindi stays among your five main subjects.
Does CBSE give grace marks in Class 12?
CBSE does not publish a fixed grace-marks rule for students, so don't count on grace marks. Prepare to clear every subject on your own marks.
How many marks does a diagram carry in Class 12 Physics?
It depends on the question: the official marking scheme shows how many marks a diagram carries. Where a circuit or ray diagram is asked for, marks usually go to both the diagram and its labels, so draw it large and neat with every component labelled.
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 project work. Maths has 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal assessment in both streams.