CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026-27 — Paper Patterns and How to Use Them
CBSE Class 12 sample papers 2026-27 for the 2027 board exams: where to download them, the paper pattern for each main subject, and a plan for solving them.
CBSE released the official Class 12 sample question papers for 2026-27 — for the Board exams 2027 — on 21 September 2026, with marking schemes, at cbseacademic.nic.in. The board paper follows the same blueprint: the same sections, question types and marks. Solve them under timed conditions.
Where to Get Papers
| Source | What you get |
|---|---|
| cbseacademic.nic.in | Official sample papers and marking schemes for every subject (free) |
| cbse.gov.in | Previous years' board question papers (free) |
| Practice books | Extra papers from publishers — useful only after you have done the official ones |
Paper Pattern in the 2026-27 Sample Papers
| Subject | Theory marks | How the paper is built |
|---|---|---|
| Physics, Chemistry, Biology | 70 | 33 questions: 16 × 1 (MCQs and assertion-reason), 5 × 2, 7 × 3, 2 case-based × 4, 3 × 5 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 38 questions: 20 × 1 (18 MCQs, 2 assertion-reason), 5 × 2, 6 × 3, 4 × 5, 3 case-based × 4 |
| English Core | 80 | Reading 22, Creative Writing 18, Literature 40 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 34 questions: 20 × 1, 6 × 3, 3 × 4, 5 × 6; Part A (partnership and companies) 60, Part B 20 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 34 questions of 1, 3, 4 and 6 marks; Part A 50, Part B 30 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 × 1, 4 × 3, 6 × 4, 4 × 6; Macroeconomics 40, Indian Economic Development 40 |
| Computer Science | 70 | 37 questions: 21 × 1, 7 × 2, 3 × 3, 4 × 4, 2 × 5 |
Every paper has internal choice in some questions. Check the sample paper for each subject you take.
Where the Marks Are
- Physics: marks are given for pairs of units — Electrostatics + Current Electricity 16, Magnetism + EMI and AC 17, EM Waves + Optics 18, Dual Nature + Atoms and Nuclei 12, Electronic Devices 7.
- Chemistry: ten chapters from Solutions to Biomolecules, 4–9 marks each; Electrochemistry (9) and Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids (8) carry the most. Solid State, Surface Chemistry, p-Block and Polymers are not in the written paper.
- Mathematics: Calculus is 35 of 80 marks. Linear Programming (5) is still in the syllabus.
- Biology: Genetics and Evolution 20, Reproduction 16, Biology and Human Welfare 12, Biotechnology 12, Ecology 10.
See our CBSE Class 12 syllabus 2026-27 for the full unit-wise marks.
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Super Tutor has chapter-wise practice quizzes and important questions for CBSE Class 12 subjects.
Start freeHow to Solve Sample Papers
| Step | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Exam conditions | 3 hours, no phone, no breaks, no notes | Builds stamina and time management |
| 2. Time each section | Note how long each section takes | Shows where you lose time |
| 3. Mark it yourself | Use CBSE's marking scheme | Shows exactly where marks go |
| 4. Sort your mistakes | Concept error, silly mistake, time issue or incomplete answer | Stops you repeating them |
| 5. Revise weak areas | Go back to NCERT for the topics where you lost marks | Targeted revision |
| 6. Next paper | Wait 2–3 days, then solve another | Track improvement |
A Simple Schedule
| Time before exam | Papers | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 3 months | About 1 a week | Learn the pattern, find weak areas |
| 2 months | About 2 a week | Time management and accuracy |
| Last month | 3–4 a week, across subjects | Speed, fewer silly mistakes |
| Last 2 weeks | Re-solve papers and wrong questions | Confidence and full rehearsal |
Common Mistakes
- Solving without a timer. Untimed practice gives false confidence.
- Checking answers mid-paper. You can't in the exam — finish the paper first.
- Ignoring the marking scheme. It shows exactly what examiners look for.
- Solving many papers without analysis. A few papers analysed well beat many solved and forgotten.
- Starting before the syllabus is done. Sample papers test application — finish NCERT first.
Based on CBSE's Class XII sample question papers for 2026-27 (cbseacademic.nic.in, released 21 September 2026) and the Senior Secondary Curriculum 2026-27.
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I download official CBSE Class 12 sample papers?
Free on cbseacademic.nic.in, under Sample Question Papers. CBSE released the 2026-27 sample papers and marking schemes on 21 September 2026. The papers themselves say there is no change in the question paper design for 2026-27.
How many sample papers should I solve for Class 12?
Start with the official CBSE sample paper for each subject, then recent CBSE board papers. Add more practice papers only after that, if you have time. Checking every paper against the marking scheme matters more than the number you solve.
Are CBSE sample papers enough for the board exams?
No — they are the last step, not the first. Finish the NCERT textbook and its exercises, revise your notes and formulas, then use sample papers and past papers to practise the pattern, timing and answer writing.
When should I start solving sample papers?
Once most of the syllabus is done — for most students, two to three months before the exams. Start with about one paper a week, and move to more frequent timed papers in the last month.
Do questions from sample papers come in the board exam?
Not the same questions, but the sample paper shows the blueprint CBSE plans to follow: the sections, question types, marks and internal choice. Treat it as a guide to the pattern, not as a list of likely questions.
How are Class 12 subjects marked?
Subjects with practicals — such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science — are 70 marks theory + 30 practical. Maths, English Core and subjects with project work, such as Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics, are 80 + 20. Each sample paper comes with a marking scheme showing how marks are awarded, including step marks and accepted alternative answers.