CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2025: Check Latest Paper Pattern & Marking Scheme

CBSE 12th 2025 ( CBSE 12th )

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Exam On: 15 Feb '25 - 4 Apr '25

This exam is conducted for courses given below:
Updated on Sep 6, 2024 12:40 IST

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2025: The board revised CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2025 in April 2024. CBSE Class 12 exams 2025 will be conducted in pen and paper format between February and April 2025.

In the curriculum information released by the Board for the upcoming board exams, CBSE stated that the board exam question papers will now comprise more of competency-based questions. The number of constructed response questions will also decrease by 10 per cent compared to previous year.

Changes in CBSE Classes 11-12

 

Academic session 2023-24

Academic session 2024-25

Composition of question paper for year-end

examination, board

examination (theory)

  • Competency focused questions in the form of MCQs/ case-based questions, source-based integrated questions or any other type = 40%

  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%

  • Constructed response questions (short answer/long answer type questions, as per existing pattern) = 40%

  • Competency focused questions in the form of MCQs/ case-based questions, source-based integrated questions or any other type = 50%

  • Select response type questions (MCQ) = 20%

  • Constructed response questions (short answer/long answer type questions, as per existing pattern) = 30%

In the Accountancy subject, the Board decided to do away with the answer books wherein tables were provided for the subject of Accountancy in 2024.

Latest update

CBSE introduced some important changes in the exam pattern for class 12 by the National Education Policy 2020. According to the suggested National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF), released by the Ministry of Education, an important change for class 12 students is the conduct of class 12 exams twice a year. CBSE, by the NEP 2020, will increase the number of competency-based questions in class 12 2025 board exams.

CBSE Class 12 Exams have a total of 100 marks per subject. CBSE Class 12 Result is prepared by calculating both the theory and practical exam marks. Practical exams are conducted internally by schools and have a weightage of 20 marks. Students need to score a minimum of 33% in each subject and in aggregate to pass the exams.

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025: Highlights

Particulars

Details

Conducting Body 

Central Board of Secondary Education 

Question Paper Pattern 

  • MCQs - 20%
  • Competency-based questions in the form of case-based questions, source-based questions, or any other types - 30%
  • Short answer/long answer type questions- 50%

Duration 

3 hours 

Mode 

Offline 

Number of subjects 

5 or 6 (as elected by the student) 

Maximum Marks 

100 (theory + practical)

  • 80 marks theory + 20 marks Project works for Commerce subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies & Economics) 
  • 70 marks theory +30 marks practical for Physics, Chemistry & Biology 
  • 80 marks Maths written exam + 20 marks internal assessment 

Passing marks for each subject 

33%

Passing marks for the overall exam 

Aggregate 33%

Q:   What are the changes introduced in CBSE 12th Accounts exam pattern 2024?

A:

In the Accountancy subject, the CBSE Board has decided to do away with the answer books wherein tables were provided for the subject of Accountancy in 2024.

 

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Subject-wise Marking Scheme for Class 12 CBSE 2025

The exam pattern and marking scheme of CBSE 12th 2024 of all subjects are given in the following tables. Students can download them by clicking on the subject name.

Students preparing for competitive examinations like JEE Mains, NEET, CLAT, DU JAT etc, can check the NEET exam pattern, CLAT exam pattern, DU JAT exam pattern and JEE Mains exam pattern . 

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Students can download the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2024 for all subjects below:

Accountancy Home Science
Arabic Informatics Practices
Assamese  Japanese
Bengali Kannada
Bharatnatyam Kashmiri
Bhutia Kathak
Biology Kathakali
Biotechnology Kuchipudi
Bodo Legal Studies
Business Studies Lepcha 
Carnatic Melodic Limboo
Carnatic Percussion Malayalam
Carnatic Vocal Manipuri
Chemistry  Marathi
Computer Science Applied Arts (Commercial arts)
Dance Manipuri Applied Mathematics
Dance Odissi Mathematics
Economics Mizo
Engg Graphics NCC
English Core Nepali
English Elective Kokborok
Entrepreneurship KTPI
French Odia
Geography Painting
German Graphic
Gujarati Sculpture
Hindi Elective Urdu Core
Hindi Core Physical Education
History Physics
Hindustani Music (melodic) Political Science
Hindustani Music (percussion) Psychology
Hindustani Music (vocal) Punjabi
Russian Sanskrit Elective
Sindhi Tamil 
Sociology Tangkhul
Spanish Telugu (AP)
Sanskrit Core Telugu Telangana
Tibetan Urdu Elective

Q:   Where can I download the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2024 for all subjects?

A:

CBSE released the CBSE 12th marking scheme 2024 for all subjects on the official website- cbseacademic.nic.in. The subject-wise  CBSE Class 12 marking scheme can be downloaded by cliking on CBSE 12th exam pattern 2024. Students will get familiar with the exam pattern, duration of exam and the type of questions asked in exam from the marking scheme. 

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Q:   Where can I check and download CBSE Exam Pattern 2024 Class 10, 12?

A:

CBSE released the CBSE 10th, 12th exam pattern 2024 on the official website in April 2023. It mentions the marking scheme, weightage to every topic, duration of exam and more. Students must know the CBSE exam pattern as this helps them form a strategy and to decide which question to solve first. To know the CBSE exams pattern 2024, students can click on the links below-

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2024

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2024

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Explore subject-wise topics asked in CBSE 12th

Select your preferred subject

CBSE Class 12 Maths exam pattern 2024

 

For CBSE Class 12 Maths the theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks and the internal assessment is for 30 marks. Chapter-wise CBSE class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme for Mathematics is explained below.

Topic

Marks

Relations & Functions

08

Calculus

35

Algebra

10

Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry

14

Linear Programming 

05

Probability 

08

Also Read:

Q:   What is the detailed CBSE 12th Maths Exam pattern 2024?

A:

Here's the chapter-wise distribution of marks in CBSE 12th 2024. Students can click on the link provided to download the complete CBSE 12th Maths Exam pattern 2024.

Topic

Marks

Relations & Functions

08

Calculus

35

Algebra

10

Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry

14

Linear Programming 

05

Probability 

08

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CBSE Class 12 Science Exam Pattern 2023-24

CBSE Class 12 Science subject-wise exam pattern 2023-24 along with the marks weightage is provided below. 

CBSE Class 12 Physics: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

For CBSE Class 12 Physics, the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks. The remaining 30 marks belong to the practicals. CBSE Class 12 Physics chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme are explained below. 

Topics 

Marks 

Unit 1: Electrostatics
Unit 2: Current Electricity 

16

Unit 3: Magnetic Effects of Current & Magnetism
Unit 4: Electromagnetic Induction & Alternating Currents 

17

Unit 5: Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 6: Optics 

18

Unit 7: Dual Nature of Radiation & Matter
Unit 8: Atoms & Nuclei

12

Unit 9: Electronic Devices 

7

Practicals 

2 experiments 1 from each section 

7+7

Practical record 

5

1 activity from any section 

3

Investigatory project 

3

Viva 

5

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Exam Pattern 2024

For Chemistry the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks. The remaining 30 marks are assigned to the practicals. The table below contains CBSE class 12 exam pattern for Class 12 Chemistry Chapters and the marking scheme.

Topics 

Marks 

Solutions 

7

Electrochemistry 

9

Chemical Kinetics 

7

d -and f- block elements 

7

Coordination Compounds 

7

Haloalkaline s & Haloarnes

6

Alcohol, Phenols & Ethers 

6

Aldehydes, Ketones & Carboxylic Acids 

8

Amines 

6

Biomolecules 

7

Practicals 

Volumetric Analysis 

8

Salt Analysis 

8

Content-Based Experiment 

6

Project 

4

Class record & viva 

4

CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2024

For CBSE Class 12 Biology the theory part has a total weightage of 70 marks and Practicals constitute of the remaining 30 marks. It is explained below in tabular form CBSE Class 12 Biology chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme. 

Topics 

Marks 

Reproduction 

16

Genetics & Evolution 

20 

Biology & Human Welfare 

12

Biotechnology & its Applications 

12

Ecology & Environment 

10

Practical 

1 major experiment 

5

1 minor experiment 

4

Slide preparation 

5

Spotting 

7

Practical record + viva voce 

4

Project record + viva voce 

5

CBSE Class 12 Accountancy Exam Pattern 2024

The Theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks which are divided into Part A: 60 marks & Part B: 20 marks. The practical part has a total weightage of 20 marks which comes under Part C. Accountancy chapter-wise class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics is as follows: 

Topic 

Marks 

Part A: Accounting for Partnership Firms & Companies

Unit 1: Accounting for Partnership Firms
Unit 2: Accounting for Companies 

36
24

Part B: Financial Statement Analysis 

Unit 3: Analysis of Financial Statements
Unit 4: Cash Flow Statement 

12
08

OR 

 

Part B: Computerised Accounting 

20

Part C: Project work which includes:
Project file
Written test (1 hour)
Viva voce


04
12
04

CBSE 12th Business Studies Exam Pattern 2024

The theory section is divided into 2 parts carrying 40 marks each. The remaining 20 marks come under the project work. For Business Studies chapter-wise exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics are shown below.

Topic 

Marks 

Part A: Principles & Function of Management

 
  • Nature & Significance of Management 
  • Principles of Management 
  • Business Environment 

16

  • Planning 
  • Organising
  • Staffing 

14

  • Directing 
  • Controlling

20

Part B: Business Finance & Marketing

 
  • Financial Management 
  • Financial Markets

15

  • Marketing Management 
  • Consumer Protection

15

Project 

20 

CBSE Class 12 Economics Exam Pattern 2024

The theory part has a total weightage of 80 marks which are equally divided into 2 parts. The Practical part has a total weightage of 20 marks. For Class 12 Economics, the chapter-wise CBSE class 12 exam pattern and the marking scheme according to the topics are as follows:

Topic 

Marks 

Part A: Introductory Macroeconomics 

  • National Income & Related Aggregrate 
  • Money & Banking 
  • Determination of Income & Employment 
  • Government Budget & Economy 
  • Balance of Payments

10
06
12
06
06

Part B: Indian Economic Development 

  • Development Experience (1947-90) & Economic Reforms since 1991
  • Current Challenges facing the Indian Economy
  • Development Experience of India- A Comparison with Neighbors

28
50
12

Project 

20 

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CBSE Class 12 English (Core) Exam Pattern 2024

The class 12 English paper contains sections for reading skills, creative writing, literature, and assessments. The marks contained by each section are mentioned below:

Topics 

Marks 

Reading Skills 

20

Creative Writing Skills 

20

Literature Textbooks & Supplementary Reading Texts 

40

Assessment of Listening & Speaking Skills 

10

Internal assessment:

  • Listening 
  • Speaking 
  • Project work 


5
5
10

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2024 FAQs

Students can check below the FAQs related to CBSE 12th exam pattern 2024 -

Q:   Will the CBSE 12th Board exams 2025 be based on 100% syllabus?

A:

Yes, CBSE 12th exams 2025 will be based on 100% syllabus. Students can check the CBSE 12th syllabus 2025 by clicking on the link provided. Students must finish with their syllabus and know the exam pattern well at least a month prior to the exam. This way they'll be better prepared for the exams. 

From 2020 to 2022, the Board had reduced the CBSE syllabus in the wake of Covid pandemic. 

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Q:   What are the different streams offered by CBSE in Class 12?

A:

CBSE offers three main streams in Class 12, namely Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities. The subjects in CBSE 12th Science stream include Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Home Science, Electronics, Statistics, Psychology etc. The CBSE Class 12 Commerce subjects include Business Studies, Accountancy, Economics, Maths, Statistics, Computer Application etc. The CBSE 12th Humanities subjects include Economics, Politics, History, Geography, Sociology, Geology, etc.

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Q:   Does CBSE provide grace marks in the class 12 exam?

A:

Yes, CBSE gives grace marks to those students who are unable to clear the exam by a maximum of 3 marks in the exam.

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Q:   What will be the mode of CBSE Class 12 Exam 2023-24?

A:

The CBSE Board exams Class 12 2024 are being conducted in the offline mode or in pen and paper format. The board has released the marking scheme and CBSE 12th sample question papers for all subjects. Students can download them by clicking on the links provided. These will help them get familiar with the weightage of chapters in the final exams, the duration of the exam, the difficulty level, and more.

 Class 12 board exams 2024 are being conducted between Feb 15 and April 2, 2024. 

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