NIOS Class 12 Science Exam Pattern 2024-25

Students preparing for NIOS 12th Science examinations must know the exam pattern to help them score well. The NIOS 12th exam pattern for Science mentions the marking scheme, duration, types of questions asked, and more. Read more here.

The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) offers various open and distance learning programmes up to pre-degree level. It conducts Class 12 board exams for Science and other important streams. The core subjects of NIOS Class 12 Science stream are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

The syllabus of the core subjects of the Science stream is vast. Therefore, the students preparing for NIOS Class 12 board exams need to focus on completing the syllabus on time to score well. Along with this, the students should also know the pattern of the exam completely to formulate a study plan. The exam pattern includes subject-wise/ topic-wise marks distribution, duration of the exam, and so on. 

Apart from the exam pattern, students must also solve the NIOS 12^th previous years’ question papers and go through the NIOS class 12 preparation tips. This will help them score well in exams. This article discusses the exam pattern of NIOS Class 12 Science stream in detail.

NIOS Class 12 Science Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

The students should know the weightage of every topic in the NIOS 12^th syllabus before they create their study plan for NIOS Class 12 board examination. According to the NIOS 12^th exam pattern, the duration of NIOS 12^th board examination is three hours. The subject-wise marks distribution for NIOS Class 12 Science stream is given below.

NIOS Class 12 Physics Syllabus

The total marks allocated for the Physics examination is 100 — 80 marks for theory paper (70 marks for core modules and 10 marks for optional modules) and 20 marks for the practical assessment.

The module-wise marks distribution for NIOS Class 12 Physics syllabus is as follows:

Topics	Marks
Motion, Force And Energy 1.       Dimensional Analysis and Vectors 2.       Motion in a Straight Line 3.       Newton’s Laws of Motion 4.       Motion in a Plane 5.       Gravitational Motion 6.       Work, Energy and Power 7.       Rotational Motion	14
Mechanical Properties of Matter 1.       Properties of Solids 2.       Properties of Liquids 3.       Properties of Gases	08
Heat and Thermodynamics 1.       Laws of Thermodynamics 2.       Transfer of Heat	06
Electricity and Magnetism 1.       Electrostatics 2.       Electric Current 3.       Chemical and Thermal Effects of Electric Current Magnetic Effect of Electric Current 1.       Magnetism 2.       Electromagnetic Induction and Alternating Current 3.       Electric Power Generation and its Transmission	14
Oscillation and Waves 1.       Simple Harmonic Motion 2.       Elastic Waves	06
Optics and Optical Instruments 1.       Reflection and Refraction of Light 2.       Dispersion and Scattering of Light 3.       Electromagnetic Waves 4.       Wave Properties of Light 5.       Optical Instruments	08
Atoms and Nuclei 1.       Structure of Atom 2.       Photoelectric Effect and Mater Waves 3.       Nuclei and Radio – Activities 4.       Nuclear Fission and Fusion	07
Semiconductors and their Applications 1.       Basics of Semiconductors 2.       Semiconductor Devices 3.       Applications of Semiconductor Device	07
Total	70
Optional Modules
Astrophysics 1.       The Sun and the Solar Family 2.       Astronomical Telescopes 3.       Stars 4.       Universe	10
Electronics in Daily Life 1.       Measuring Instruments in Electronics 2.       Power Supply and Signal Generating Systems 3.       Microprocessor and its Applications 4.       Circuit Breaker, Timer and Power Control
Photography and Video –Audiography 1.       Photography - Camera 2.       Film Exposing and Processing 3.       Audio – Video Recording 4.       Compact Disc For Audio – Video Recording
Physics in Medical Sciences

Click to download the complete NIOS 12th Physics syllabus

NIOS Class 12 Physics Practical Assessment

The time duration for the practical assessment is three hours. The total marks allotted for NIOS Class 12 Physics practical assessment is 20. The complete break-up for the practical assessment is tabulated below:

Topics	Marks
Viva	3
Record Book	3
Two Experiments (7 Marks each)	14
Total	20

List of Practical Experiments for Class 12 Physics

Group A – Perform Any Six

1. Determine the internal diameter and depth of a cylindrical container (like a tin can, calorimeter) using a vernier calliper and find its capacity. Verify the result using a graduated cylinder.
2. Determine the diameter of a given wire using a screw gauge and its length with the help of meter scale. Determine the mass of the wire using a physical balance and calculate the density of the material of the wire in kg. /m3.
3. Determine the radius of curvature of a concave mirror using a spherometer. Verify the result by parallax method using one needle.
4. Find the period of a simple pendulum for small amplitudes and draw the graph of length of the pendulum against the square of the time period. Use the graph to find the length of the second’s pendulum.

OR

Find the time period of a simple pendulum of different amplitudes up to about 60o and draw a graph between the time period and amplitude of the simple pendulum for a given length.

5. Find the weight of a given body using the law of parallelogram of vectors and verify by spring balance.
6. Study the Newton’s law of cooling by plotting a graph between cooling time and temperature difference between calorimeter and surroundings.
7. Determine the specific heat of a solid using the methods of mixtures.

OR

Determine the specific heat of a solid using the method of mixture.

8. Find the spring constant of a helical spring by measuring its extension by a known load. Then to find the acceleration due to gravity by measuring the time period of vertical oscillations of a known loan.
9. Find the required to empty a burette, filled with water, to ½ of its volume, to ¼ of its volume, to 1/8 of its volume a so on. Plot a graph between the volume of water in the burette and time and thus study at each stage, that the fractional rate of flow is the same (analogy to radioactive decay)
10. Determine the radius of gyration about the centre of gravity of a meter scale used as bar pendulum by studying its oscillations about axes close to its C. G.

Group B: Perform Any Six

1. Determine – (i) in an air column the wavelength of sound produced, (ii) the velocity of sound in air at room temperature using a resonance column and tuning fork.
2. Compare the frequencies of two tuning forks by finding first and second resonance positions in a resonance tube.
3. Establish graphically the relation between the tension and length of a string of sonometer vibrating in its fundamental mode resonating with a given tuning fork. Use the graph to determine the mass per unit length of the string.
4. Find the volume of v for different volume of u in case of a concave mirror and find its focal length (f) by plotting graph between (1/u) and (1/v).
5. Find the focal length (f) of a convex lens by plotting graph between 1/u and 1/v.
6. Find the focal length of a convex mirror using a convex lens.
7. Determine the focal length of the concave lens by combining it with a suitable convex lens.
8. Draw a graph between the angle of incidence (i) angle of deviation (D) for a glass prism. Determine the refractive index of the glass of the prism using this graph.
9. Compare the refractive indices of two transparent liquids using a concave mirror and a single pin.
10. Set up an astronomical telescope and find its magnifying power.

Group C – Perform Any Six

1. Verify law of combination (series and parallel) of resistances using ammeter – voltmeter method and coils of known resistances.
2. Compare the e. m. f’s of two given primary cells using a potentiometer.
3. Determine the specific resistance of two material of the given wire using a meter bridge.
4. Determine the internal resistance of a cell using a potentiometer
5. Determine the inductance and resistance of a given coil using suitable series resistance and A. C. voltmeter. 6. Study decay of current in R. C. circuit using a galvanometer and find the time constant of the circuits.
6. Draw the characteristic curve in forward biased pn junction diode and to determine the static and dynamic resistance of the given diode.
7. Study the characteristic of a, an npn transistor in common emitter mode and to find out the values of current and voltage gains.
8. Draw lines of force due to a bar magnet keeping
9. North pole pointing north
10. North pole pointing south

Locate the neutral point.

10. Determine the internal resistance of a moving coil galvanometer by half deflection method. Convert the galvanometer into a voltmeter of suitable range and verify it.

NIOS Class 12 Chemistry Syllabus

The total marks allocated for the Chemistry examination is 100 — 80 marks for theory paper and 20 marks for the practical assessment. The students appearing for NIOS Class 12 Chemistry examination are expected to cover all the seven core modules, one module out of two optional modules, and practical experiments.

The module-wise marks distribution for NIOS Class 12 Chemistry syllabus is as follows:

Core Modules	Marks
Atom, Molecule and Chemical Arithmetic 1.       Mole Concept 2.       Chemical Arithmetic	07
Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding 1.       Chemical Arithmetic 2.       Periodic Table and Atomic Properties 3.       Chemical Bonding	12
States of Matter 1.       Gaseous State 2.       Liquid State 3.       Solid State 4.       Solutions 5.       Colloids	12
Chemical Energetics 1.       Chemical Thermodynamics 2.       Spontaneity of Chemical Reactions	08
Chemical Dynamics 1.       Chemical Equilibrium 2.       Ionic Equilibria 3.       Electrochemistry 4.       Chemical Kinetics 5.       Adsorption and Catalysis	08
Chemistry of Elements 1.       Occurrence and Extraction of Metals 2.       Coordination Compounds	10
Chemistry of Organic Compounds 1.       Nomenclature and General Principles 2.       Hydrocarbons 3.       Compounds of Carbon Containing Halogens (Haloalkanes and Haloarenes) 4.       Alcohol, Phenols and Ethers 5.       Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic acids 6.       Compounds of Carbon Containing Nitrogen 7.       Biomolecules	12
Optional Modules
Environmental Chemistry 1.       Environment at concerns 2.       Air Pollution 3.       Water Pollution 4.       Heavy Metal Contamination 5.       Radioactive Pollution	15
Chemistry and Industry 1.       Petrochemicals 2.       Polymers 3.       Dyes, Paints and Pigments 4.       Drugs and Medicines
Total	80

Click to download the complete NIOS 12th Chemistry Syllabus

Click to download NIOS 12th Chemistry Sample Paper

NIOS Class 12 Chemistry Practical Assessment

The duration for the practical assessment is three hours. The total marks allotted for NIOS Class 12 Chemistry practical assessment is 20. The complete break-up for the practical assessment is tabulated below:

Topics	Marks
Salt Analysis (one cation + one anion)	4
Volumetric Analysis (i) Write-up in which student may be asked to write brief method, indicator, equation, endpoint.  (ii) Set-up of experiment (iii) Results	6 (2+2+2)
Detection of elements in an organic compound Detection of functional group OR Setting up of one experiment from experiments at serial number 2 to 10, 12 and 13	4
Viva-voce	3
Record book	3
Total	20

List of Practical Experiments for Class 12 Chemistry

1. (i) General safety measures with special reference to safe handling of chemicals.

(ii) Acquaintance with chemistry laboratory and basic laboratory techniques (cutting, bending and boring of glass tubes, sealing of apparatus, filtration, distillation, crystallisation, preparation calibration, cleaning of glass apparatus and use of burner etc.)

(iii) Measurement of volume, length, mass and density and common errors therein.

2. Preparation, collection and study of some important physical and chemical properties of at least three gases, one each from the following groups.

(a) Hydrogen and oxygen

(b) Carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide

(c) Chlorine, hydrogen chloride, and sulphur dioxide

3. Preparation of dilute solutions of known concentration of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. (Dilution should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a teacher).
4. Study of interaction of metals (any four) with salt solution and arranging them according to their activity (to form activity series). Metals and salts may be selected from the following Mg, Zn, Fe, Sn, Pb, Cu and Al and their salts. (Checking the order of metals in series based on the electrode potential will be desirable).
5. (a) Determination of pH of the following substances by using a universal indicator solution or pH papers.

(i) Salt solution

(ii) Acids and bases of different dilutions

(iii) Vegetable and fruit juices

(b) Study of pH change by common-ion effect in case of weak acids and weak bases by the above method (specific examples of CH3COOH and CH3COONa and NH4OH and NH4Cl may be taken).

6. Determination of the melting point of a solid substance of low melting point (below 100°C) by glass capillary tube method (Paraffin oil may be used as a bath).
7. Study of solubility of solid substances in water at different temperatures and plotting of a solubility curve. 8. Study of the shift in equilibrium between ferric ions and thiocyanate ions by increasing/decreasing the concentration of their ions.
8. Study of:

(a) The effect of concentration on the rate of reaction between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid.

(b) The effect of temperature on the rate of reaction between sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid.

10. Separation of coloured substances by paper chromatography, and comparison of their Rf values. (a) a mixture of red and blue ink or a black ink. (b) juice of a flower or grass.
11. Detection of nitrogen, sulphur and halogens in an organic compound (combinations of halogens to be avoided). Not more than two of the above elements should be present in the given organic compound.
12. Study of simple reactions of carbohydrates; fats and proteins in pure form and detection of their presence in given foodstuffs.
13. Preparation of soap by using different oils and its comparison with the market soap by determining the foaming capacity and cleaning effect.
14. Use of chemical balance to demonstrated.

(a) Preparation of a solution of oxalic acid and ferrous ammonium sulphate of known molarity by weighing (non-evaluative)

(b) A study of (i) acid-base and (ii) redox titrations (single titration only) (both the solutions to be provided).

(i) Oxalic acid

(ii) Ferrous ammonium sulphate and potassium permanganate.

15. Elementary qualitative analysis of a salt involving detection of one cationic and one anionic species from the following groups. (Salts insoluble in hydrochloric acid excluded). Cations: Pb2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Al3+, Ni2+, Zn2+ Mn2+, Ca2+, NH4+ Anions: CO3 2–, S 2–, Cl– , Br– , I– , NO2 – , NO3 – , SO4 2–, PO4 3–
16. Functional groups in organic compounds

(i) Test of unsaturation

(ii) Test for Carboxylic, phenolic, aldehydic and ketonic groups.

NIOS Class 12 Biology Syllabus

The total marks allocated for the Biology examination is 100 — 80 marks for theory paper (70 marks for core modules and 10 marks for optional modules) and 20 marks for the practical assessment.

The module-wise marks distribution for NIOS Class 12 Biology syllabus is as follows:

Core Modules	Marks
Diversity and Evolution of Life 1.       Classification of organisms 2.       Viruses 3.       Scheme of five kingdom classification of organisms 4.       Kingdom Prokaryotae (Monera) 5.       Kingdom Protista 6.       Fungi 7.       Kingdom Plantae 8.       Kingdom Animalia 9.       Origin and Evolution of Life	06
Cell, Cell Function and Tissues 1.       Cell Structure 2.       Cell Division 3.       Tissues 4.       Levels of Organisation (cell to organism)	10
Functional Morphology and Life Processes in Plants 1.       Root 2.       Stem 3.       Absorption and Transport 4.       Nutrition 5.       Leaf 6.       Transpiration and Guttation 7.       Photosynthesis 8.       Respiration 9.       Flower and Inflorescence 10.   Fruit 11.   Growth and Development	11
Functional Morphology and Life Processes in Animals 1.       Digestive System 2.       Respiratory System 3.       Circulatory System 4.       Excretory System 5.       Nervous System 6.       Skin and Skeletal System 7.       Endocrine System (Chemical Regulation) 8.       Reproductive System	11
Reproduction and Development 1.       Reproduction in Non-flowering Plants 2.       Reproduction in Flowering Plants 3.       Vegetative Reproduction in Plants 4.       Patterns of Reproduction in Animals 5.       5 Basic Features of Embryonic Development in Animals 6.       Embryonic Nutrition in Birds and Mammals (Human) 7.       Some Special Aspects in Developmental Biology	10
Heredity and Genetics 1.       Principles of Inheritance 2.       Gene Expression and Interaction 3.       Physical and Chemical Basis of Heredity 4.       Mutation 5.       Human Genetics 6.       Genetics and Society	10
Population, Explosion and Family Planning 1.       Concept and Definitions 2.       Trends 3.       Reasons 4.       Consequences of Overpopulation 5.       Control of Population Growth 6.       Methods of Contraception	04
Environmental Biology 1.       Ecological Principles 2.       Spatial Distribution of Plants and Animals 3.       Conservation and Use of Natural Resources 4.       Pollution 5.       Radiation in Relation to Human Life	08
Optional Modules
Tools and Techniques in Biology 1.       Short history of the invention of simple and compound microscopes 2.       Basic principle of electron microscope, phase contrast microscope, etc. 3.       General Laboratory Equipments 4.       Preparation of Common Stains and Reagents 5.       Maintenance of Botanical Garden and Zoological Museum Aquarium, Herbarium and Green House 6.       Some techniques	10
Economic Biology 1.       Agriculture: Human Dependence on Agriculture 2.       Mushroom Culture, Floriculture and Hydroponics 3.       Medicinal Plants 4.       Forest Wealth 5.       Animal Husbandry 6.       Fisheries 7.       Apiculture and Lac Culture 8.       Sericulture and Vermiculture
Health Science 1.       Concept of Health and Hygiene 2.       Nutrition and Health 3.       Nutritional Disorders 4.       Dangers of Drug Addiction 5.       Hygiene 6.       Disease 7.       Communicable Disease 8.       Non- Communicable Disease 9.       Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Emerging Areas in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Immunology 1.       Introduction to Biochemistry 2.       Simple biologically important Molecules 3.       Macromolecules 4.       Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Proteins and Lipids 5.       Translation and Transcription PART B: Biotechnology 1.       Uses of biological processes in industry 2.       General idea of Genetic Engineering 3.       General idea of Transgenic Organisms 4.       Biogas Production 5.       Gene therapy in humans PART C: Immunobiology 1.       Introduction 2.       Tissues and Organs involved in the Immune System 3.       Definition of Antigen, Antibody 4.       Types of Immunity 5.       Active Immunization (vaccines) 6.       Effect of HIV on Immune System 7.       Definition of Allergens
Total	80

Click to download the complete NIOS 12th Biology Syllabus

NIOS Class 12 Biology Practical Assessment

The duration for the practical assessment is three hours. The total marks allotted for NIOS Class 12 Biology practical assessment is 20. The complete break-up for the practical assessment is tabulated below:

Topics	Marks
A (a) Flag labelling (1/2 mark for each correct flag labelling) = 6*1/2 (b) Planning / sketching, display = 1 (For exercise i-v) B. (a) Setting up of the experiment and demonstration (b) Recording the observation and conclusion (For exercise vi) recording the observation and conclusion (flower formula and floral diagram)	4 (2+2)
Identification (1/4) Comments (1/4) Labelled diagram classification ¼ (4 items*3/4=3 marks)	3
Slide preparation (2) Labelled sketch (1) (If material mounted is incorrect or missing no marks be awarded at all)	3
Project Report	2
Maintenance of Record Book (proper sketching and comments)	3
Viva-voce Four questions on the project prepared 4*1/2=2 Four questions on the exercise performed 4*1/2=2 =5 Two questions related to practical records 2*1/2=1	5
Total	20

List of Practical Experiments for Class 12 Biology

1. (A) Dissection of rat and flag-labelling its various organs

(a) flag- labelling of six specified parts Stomach, appendix, liver, pancreas, spleen, diaphragm, heart, dorsal aorta, kidney, adrenal, testis, ovary.

(b) Pinning, stretching, display. 6* ½=3

(B) Demonstration and carrying out of any two exercises.

1. i) Osmosis in potato/carrot
2. ii) Plasmolyses in Rhoeo/Tradescantia leaf

iii) Rate of photosynthesis in Hydrilla or any other aquatic plant

1. iv) The action of salivary amylase on starch
2. v) Chemical tests of abnormal constituents in urine (sugar and albumin)
3. vi) Identification of given flower, write its flower formula and draw its floral diagram. (For exercise i-v)

• Setting up of the experiments and demonstration 1
• Recording the observations and conclusions. 1 (For exercise vi)
• Writing the flower formula 1
• Drawing the floral diagram = 1

2. To identify and comment upon the four speciments/slides A-D
3. Any one prepared slide showing microscope structures of the following
4. i) Dicot root
5. ii) Dicot leaf

iii) Dicot stem

1. iv) Monocot root
2. v) Monocot leaf
3. vi) Monocot stem

vii) cartilage

viii) Bone

1. ix) Blood
2. x) Liver
3. xi) Kidney

xii) Testis

xiii) Ovary

xiv) Skin

1. Any one of the following specimens:
2. i) Chlamydomonas (vegetative)
3. ii) Spirogyra (vegetative or conjugation stage)

iii) Any one stage of Mucor/Rhizopus

1. iv) Moss gametophyte or sporophyte
2. v) Fern (sporophyte/prothelus/Sporangium)
3. vi) Pinus (male cone/female cone/long and dwarf shoot)
4. Identification and classification up to class and listing main features of any one of the following specimens:
5. i) paramecium
6. ii) Sponge

iii) Hydra

1. iv) Tapeworm
2. v) Liver-fluke
3. vi) Leech

vii) Butterfly/moth

viii) Scorpion

1. ix) Pila
2. x) Starfish
3. xi) Dogfish

xii) Rohu

xiii) Toad

xiv) Wall lizard

1. xv) Any snake

xvi) Bat

1. Identification and comment on any of the following:
2. i) Life history stages of silk moth
3. ii) Early cleavage in frog egg

iii) Frog blastula (whole mount/T.S.)

1. iv) Gastrula of frog (whole mount/T.S.)
2. v) Neurula of frog (whole mount/T.S.)
3. vi) Tadpole of frog (whole mount/T.S.)

Identification ¼

Comments ¼

Labelled diagram/Classification = ¼

4 items*3/4 = 3 marks

3. Preparation of a temporary stained mount of the material provided, and to make a labelled sketch. (Any one of the following)
4. i) Epidermal peel of onion
5. ii) Squamous epithelium of frog

iii) Squash preparation of root tip of onion to show any one stage of mitosis

1. iv) Striated muscles of cockroach v) T.S. of Cucurbita stem to show xylem and phloem
2. vi) T.S. petiole of datura or any other plant showing any one tissue (parenchyma/collenchyma/Schlerenchyma)

Slide preparation = 2

Labelled sketch = 1

4. Submission of a project report on any one topic of interest. (A few topics are suggested below as samples)
5. i) Enrichment information on any text related item. (clipping/s from newspapers or journals, etc.)
6. ii) Collection, preservation and presentation of flora (herbarium)/fauna.

iii) Preparation of a bird diary-listing birds observed during different seasons in the neighbourhood and recording their feeding and other habits including nesting, etc.

1. iv) Hereditary observation-making family pedigrees showing the occurrence of:

(i) Tongue rolling

(ii) PTC tasting

(iii) Thumb bending, etc.

(iv) Visit to a zoo/aquarium, natural history museum/wildlife sanctuary, etc.

Apparatus and Materials Required for Biology Practical Assessment

1. Dissecting microscopes
2. Compound microscopes
3. Hand lens
4. Slides
5. Coverslips
6. Glassware required for various experiments
7. Glycerin
8. Stains
9. Different chemicals required for the exercises
10. Plant or animal material required for temporary mount preparation
11. Prepared slides and specimens listed in the syllabus
12. Dissecting trays
13. Rats/cockroaches
14. Pins/ needles
15. Black paper
16. Blotting/ filter paper

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