CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2023-24: Subject-Wise Pattern & Marking Scheme

Last Updated : 23 Jul, 2025

The CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2024 has been updated. The revised pattern aligns with the Ministry of Education's National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF).

Students will now see more multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in their exams as a result of the recent modifications to the CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern. In the final board exams, 20% of the questions for CBSE class 12 will be multiple-choice questions starting this year. There are two distinct patterns for the remaining 80% of the question paper. 40% of the questions will be competency-based, meaning they will include multiple-choice, source-based, and case-study questions. The remaining 40% of the questions on the question paper will be of the short and long answer format.

The purpose of this crucial step is to improve the students' application skills. The introduction of the semester system is another significant change for students in CBSE class 12. Numerous media reports claim that in order to give students a chance to raise their test results, NCF has suggested holding the CBSE Class 12 exam twice a year.

Each subject in the CBSE Class 12 Exam carries a total of 100 marks. The theory and practical exam marks are combined to create the CBSE Class 12 result. Internal school exams, or practical exams, carry a 20-mark weighting. For students to pass the exams, they must receive at least 33% in each subject combined.

In this article, Wewill help the students understand everything about the Pattern change and the New Policy introduced by CBSE for Class 12th. Let's understand everything about the Exam Pattern for CBSE Class 12 Board Exam.

CBSE New Exam Policy for Class 12 session 2021-22

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2023-24: Highlights

The table below shows the highlights of the CBSE class 12 exam pattern for 2023–2024.

ParticularsDetails
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 
Medium English / Hindi Note: Regional languages are an optional language exam for candidates and will not be used as the main form of examination.
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%

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern: Subject-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Below mentioned is the exam pattern of CBSE class 12 for each subject.

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

The theory portion of the CBSE Class 12 Maths exam is worth a total of 80 marks, and the internal assessment is worth 30 points. The following explains the mathematics chapter-by-chapter marking scheme and the CBSE class 12 exam pattern.

TopicMarks
Relations & Functions08
Calculus35
Algebra10
Vectors & 3-Dimensional Geometry14
Linear Programming 05
Probability 08

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

The theory portion of CBSE Class 12 Physics is worth a total of 70 marks. The practicals account for the final thirty marks. The following explains the CBSE Class 12 Physics chapter-by-chapter exam pattern and marking system.

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: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The theory portion of Chemistry is worth a total of 70 marks. The practicals account for the final thirty marks. The marking scheme and the CBSE class 12 exam pattern for the Chemistry class are listed in the table below.

Topics Marks 
Solutions 7
Electrochemistry 9
Chemical Kinetics 7
d -and f- block elements 7
Coordination Compounds 7
Haloalkaline s & Haloarnes6
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: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The theory portion of the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam is worth 70 total points, with the remaining 30 coming from the practical component. The chapter-by-chapter exam pattern and marking system for CBSE Class 12 Biology are provided in the table below.

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

The total 80 points for the theory portion are split into two parts: 60 marks for Part A and 20 marks for Part B. Part C includes the practical component, which has a total weightage of 20 marks. The class 12 exam pattern for accounting chapters and the topic-based marking system are 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 Class 12 Business Studies: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

The theory portion has been split up into two sections, each worth forty marks. The project work accounts for the final 20 marks. The exam pattern for Business Studies, broken down by chapter, and the topic-specific marking system are displayed 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: Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

There are two equal parts with a total weightage of 80 marks for the theory portion. A total of 20 marks are assigned to the practical portion. The chapter-by-chapter CBSE class 12 exam pattern for Economics and the topic-based marking system 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 

CBSE Class 12 English (Core): Chapter-Wise Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Reading comprehension, creative writing, literature, and assessments are all covered in the English 12 paper. The following lists the marks that are included in each section:

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

Important Changes in CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2023-24

A few modifications have been made to the CBSE class 12 exam pattern for 2023–2024. In accordance with a new exam pattern introduced by CBSE, class 12 will have more multiple-choice questions (MCQs). More application-based questions were incorporated into the new pattern in order to evaluate students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

  • English Language and Literature: There will be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blanks, and synonym/antonym questions.
  • Biology: Assertion and reason-based questions have been introduced by the board in place of the multiple-choice questions that were previously included. There will be five questions for one mark, however, they will be more descriptive in character.

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2023-24: Important Books

NCERT Chemistry Textbook for Class 12 - Part 1 & 2 (Set of 2 books)

NCERT, CLASS - 12 Set Of 8 Books ( Mathematics Part 1 & 2, Chemistry Part 1 & 2, Physics part 1 & 2, Flamingo, Vistas

NCERT Textbooks in English for class 12 - Flamingo and Vistas

NCERT Combo textbooks Class 12th Physics Part 1&2 Chemistry part 1 and 2 and Biology (pack of 5 books) present by NCERT MART

NEW NCERT Contemporary World Politics Textbook in Political Science for Class - 12 AND Politics in India since Independence Textbook in Political Science for Class - 12

CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2023-24: Preparation Tips

The following suggestions can assist students in adequately preparing for the 2024 CBSE Class 12 Exams:

  • Build a study schedule and follow it. Divide the syllabus into manageable chunks and give each section enough time.
  • Set your study priorities according to the syllabus's weighted distribution of chapters.
  • Give the chapters with higher grades more attention.
  • Students can enhance their time management abilities and gain a better understanding of the exam format and question types by solving previous year's question papers.
  • Sample Practice Papers
  • Between study sessions, take regular breaks to unwind and refresh yourself. This will support increased concentration and focus.
  • Regularly revise to reaffirm ideas and facts.
  • Make notes and go over them again often.
  • Evaluate your physical and mental well-being. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are all important. This is going to help lower stress levels and increase focus.
  • Never be afraid to ask for assistance from your peers, mentors, or teachers. They can provide helpful direction and assistance.

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