CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026 — All Subjects with Solutions
Download CBSE Class 12 sample papers 2026 for all subjects — Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, English, Accountancy, Business Studies.
CBSE releases official Class 12 sample papers every year at cbseacademic.nic.in — these are the single best resource for board exam preparation. The actual board paper follows the same blueprint: same question types, same marks distribution, same difficulty level. Solve them under timed conditions.
Where to Download — Official Sources
| Source | What You Get | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| cbseacademic.nic.in | Official sample papers + marking scheme for all subjects | Free |
| CBSE Official App | Same papers in mobile-friendly format | Free |
| Oswaal Books | 10 sample papers per subject + solutions + topper answers | ₹200–350/subject |
| Arihant / Educart | 15 sample papers + PYQ analysis + extra practice | ₹200–300/subject |
Priority: Start with the official CBSE paper (free). Then solve previous year papers (free online). Buy a book only if you want more practice after completing these.
Subject-Wise Paper Pattern
Physics (Theory: 70 marks)
| Section | Question Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs (16 questions, attempt 12) — includes assertion-reason | 12 |
| B | Very Short Answer (7 Qs, attempt 5) | 10 |
| C | Short Answer (7 Qs, attempt 5) | 15 |
| D | Case Study / Source Based (3 Qs) | 12 |
| E | Long Answer (3 Qs, attempt 2) | 10 |
| Practical | 30 | |
| Total | 100 | |
High-weightage units: Electrostatics & Current Electricity (16 marks), Optics (14 marks), Magnetism & EMI (12 marks). Focus derivations: Coulomb's law, Biot-Savart, lens maker's equation.
Chemistry (Theory: 70 marks)
| Unit | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Solid State + Solutions | 10 | Unit cell calculations, colligative properties |
| Electrochemistry + Kinetics | 12 | Nernst equation, rate law, Arrhenius |
| Surface Chemistry + Metallurgy | 8 | Adsorption, catalysis, extraction |
| p-Block + d-Block + Coordination | 14 | Group properties, IUPAC naming, CFT |
| Organic (Haloalkanes to Biomolecules) | 18 | Named reactions, conversions, mechanisms |
| Polymers + Chemistry in Everyday Life | 8 | Types, examples, applications |
Mathematics (80 marks)
| Unit | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Relations & Functions + Inverse Trig | 8 | Types of relations, principal values |
| Matrices & Determinants | 10 | Inverse, adjoint, solving equations |
| Calculus (Continuity to Differential Eqns) | 35 | Differentiation, integration, applications, DE |
| Vectors & 3D Geometry | 14 | Dot/cross product, line/plane equations |
| Linear Programming | 5 | Graphical method — easy marks |
| Probability | 8 | Bayes' theorem, distributions |
Maths tip: Calculus is 35/80 marks — nearly half the paper. Master integration techniques and applications of derivatives. Linear Programming (5 marks) and Probability (8 marks) are the easiest chapters.
Practise the exact board pattern
Super Tutor has chapter-wise Class 12 practice questions and mock tests following the CBSE 2026 blueprint.
Start Practising — FreeBiology (Theory: 70 marks)
| Unit | Marks | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Reproduction | 14 | Human reproduction, plant reproduction, reproductive health |
| Genetics & Evolution | 18 | Mendelian genetics, molecular basis, evolution |
| Biology & Human Welfare | 14 | Health, immunity, microbes, biotechnology applications |
| Ecology & Biodiversity | 14 | Ecosystem, biodiversity, environmental issues |
| Biotechnology | 10 | rDNA technology, applications |
English Core (80 marks)
| Section | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 2 unseen passages (comprehension + case-based) | 22 |
| Writing | Notice/invitation, letter, article/report | 18 |
| Grammar | Gap filling, editing, sentence reordering | 8 |
| Literature | Flamingo (prose + poetry) + Vistas extracts & answers | 32 |
Accountancy (80 marks)
| Part | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Part A | Partnership accounts (admission, retirement, dissolution) | 36 |
| Part B (Option 1) | Company accounts (shares, debentures) + Financial statements analysis | 44 |
| Part B (Option 2) | Computerised accounting | 44 |
How to Solve Sample Papers Effectively
| Step | What to Do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Simulate exam conditions | 3 hours, no phone, no breaks, no notes | Builds real exam stamina and time management |
| 2. Time yourself strictly | Note time spent per section | Identifies where you waste time |
| 3. Self-evaluate with marking scheme | Mark your paper using CBSE marking scheme | Shows exactly where you lose marks |
| 4. Analyse mistakes | Categorise: concept error, silly mistake, time issue, incomplete answer | Prevents repeating same mistakes |
| 5. Revise weak areas | Go back to NCERT for topics where you lost marks | Targeted revision is more efficient |
| 6. Solve another paper | Wait 2–3 days, then repeat with a new paper | Track score improvement over time |
Sample Paper Solving Schedule
| Time Before Exam | Papers Per Week | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | 1 per week | Identify weak areas, get familiar with pattern |
| 2 months | 2 per week | Improve time management, build accuracy |
| 1 month | 3–4 per week | Build speed, reduce silly mistakes |
| Last 2 weeks | 1 per day | Peak confidence, exam simulation |
Common Mistakes in Sample Paper Practice
- Solving without timing yourself. Untimed practice gives false confidence — always use a timer.
- Checking answers while solving. In the real exam you cannot check. Build the habit of completing the full paper first.
- Not reading the marking scheme. The marking scheme shows exactly what examiners expect — study it carefully.
- Solving too many papers without analysing. 5 papers with thorough analysis > 15 papers solved and forgotten.
- Starting sample papers before completing NCERT. Sample papers test application. If concepts are not clear, papers will be frustrating. Finish NCERT first.
Paper pattern based on CBSE 2025–2026 sample papers and information bulletin. Marks distribution may have minor variations. Always download the latest sample paper from cbseacademic.nic.in for the official blueprint. Last updated: February 2026.
Turn this into board-exam marks
Super Tutor gives you chapter summaries, previous-year questions, and full mock exams matched to your board syllabus — so you revise smarter, not longer.
Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I download official CBSE Class 12 sample papers?
Official CBSE sample papers are available free at cbseacademic.nic.in under 'Sample Question Papers'. CBSE releases these around September–October each year for the upcoming board exam. These are the most authentic papers — the actual exam follows the same pattern, marks distribution, and question types.
How many sample papers should I solve for Class 12?
Solve at least 5–8 papers per subject: 1 official CBSE sample paper, 2–3 previous year papers, and 2–4 papers from reliable publishers (Oswaal, Arihant, Educart). Solve under timed conditions (3 hours). Analyse every paper thoroughly — understanding mistakes is more valuable than solving more papers.
Are CBSE sample papers enough for boards?
Sample papers alone are not enough — they are the final step. First: complete NCERT thoroughly. Second: revise notes and formulas. Third: solve sample papers and PYQs. Sample papers help with: time management, understanding the paper pattern, identifying weak areas, and building exam confidence. They are essential but should come after NCERT completion.
When should I start solving sample papers?
Start 2–3 months before the board exam. By then, your syllabus should be mostly complete. Solve 1 paper per week initially, then increase to 1 every 2–3 days in the last month. In the final 2 weeks: solve 1 paper daily. Always solve under exam conditions — 3 hours, no breaks, no phone.
Do questions from sample papers actually come in boards?
Not the exact same questions, but the pattern, marks distribution, and question types match very closely. CBSE designs the board paper following the same blueprint as the sample paper. Students who solve sample papers thoroughly report that 40–60% of board questions feel familiar in style and difficulty level.
What is the marking scheme for CBSE Class 12?
Each subject: 80 marks external (board exam) + 20 marks internal assessment = 100 total. The sample paper comes with a detailed marking scheme that shows exactly how examiners award marks — step marks, alternative methods, and common errors. Study the marking scheme as carefully as the questions.