CBSE board has uploaded the CBSE Class 12 sample paper 2025-26 for all subjects on its official website. The sample papers have been made available for subjects included in all three streams (Science, Commerce, and Arts). Solving sample papers before exams is highly crucial for students as it helps them practice and test their preparation. It helps them to figure out their weak and strong points as well as in which field do they need to work harder.
The CBSE 12th Board exam preparation can be too hectic, for which you need to have a proper study plan and strategies to cover the syllabus easily and score well in the exams. This article provides the subject-wise CBSE 12th sample papers 2026 PDF. Students can refer to these and practice them to score better as well as understand the CBSE 12th exam pattern and marking scheme for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026. Get the free link for CBSE 12 Sample Papers 2025-26 PDF Download in this article.
| Question Type | Weightage | Description |
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% | Test students’ ability to apply knowledge in real-world scenarios, including: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Case-based questions, and Source-based integrated questions. |
| Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 20% | Select response type questions included to encourage critical thinking and quick decision-making skills among students. |
| Constructed Response Type Questions | 30% | Traditional answer type questions such as short and long answer type questions. |
CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper 2025-26 PDF Download
How to download CBSE 12th Sample Papers 2025-26
CBSE class 12 board examination 2026 students can download the official sample question papers from the CBSE Academic portal. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases sample papers every academic session to provide students with knowledge of the new exam pattern, marking scheme, and type of questions to expect. The following steps need to be followed to download the sample question papers.
- Step 1: Go to cbseacademic.nic.in, which is a portal of the official website for CBSE, where all Academic resources i.e. curriculum, sample papers, etc.. are published.
- Step 2: Click on the second tab labelled “Sample Question Paper 2025-26” on the homepage. This sample question papers section has all the subject wise sample papers for each class.
- Step 3: Click on Class XII from all the available options, so that the students can see the latest sample papers for the academic session 2025–26.
- Step 4: A list of subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English, Business Studies, Accountancy, etc.) will populate. Click on the subject of your choice for your desired sample paper.
- Step 5: The selected sample paper will open in a PDF file format. Students are encouraged to download the PDF to their device or take a printout for future reference and practice.
Importance of CBSE Sample Paper 2025-26 Class 12
The CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers for the Academic Year 2025-26 are crucial in determining students' preparation direction for the board examinations in 2026. They are more than mere practice papers as they provide a complete document of the exam in all aspects and yield confidence.
- Precise Picture of the Exam Pattern
Each year, CBSE changes the design of the paper because of competency based education. The sample papers for 2025-26 are following the new blueprint including the mark distribution, weightage of the sections, and all forms of questions (MCQ's, case based, short and long answer questions). By practicing these, the students will know what they should expect and there shouldn't be surprises the day of the exam. - Mastering Time Management
Students have three hours to complete the Class 12 board exam and during this period, they struggle with how to answer fast and accurately. Practicing the sample papers under simulated timed conditions allows students to see exactly how long each section takes and how to best manage their time effectively when accounting for reading, writing and revision. With the simulation, students can attempt the paper without rushing. - Identifying High-Weightage Topics
Exam sample papers indirectly highlight the most exam-ready chapters students need to prioritize. The papers are set by the CBSE according to the prescribed syllabus for each subject, therefore, Cases studies questions in Business Studies, numericals in Physics, application-based questions in Mathematics tend to repeat themselves in the sample paper patterns. Students will then have something concrete to base their study plan on and seek maximum rewards by targeting these priority areas most of the time. - Self-assessment Strategy
Trying out a sample paper is very similar to sitting for a mini board exam. After, students can asses their answers based on the official marking scheme and gaps related to errors and progression and weak areas extensively before the main exam. Students are in control of what they need to practice and which areas they need to develop. - Building Confidence and Reducing Anxiety
Exam anxiety is one of the largest obstacles Class 12 students face. Regularly practising with a sample paper will make it routine, and the unknown will not scare students on exam day. Students, if confident and relaxed can concentrate more on their paper and they can perform better in the exam in front of them. - Comprehending the Vocabulary of CBSE Questions
Board questions vary slightly in wording and complexity from the typical NCERT exercises. Doing sample papers will help students get used to the language in which CBSE writes its questions so that they will in no way misinterpret the questions and respond with the exact answer required. - Understanding the Marking Scheme Methodology
CBSE has provided the answer keys and marking methodology to sample papers. The marking methodology clearly outlines how examiners award marks; whether in regard to stepwise solutions in Math, or a certain number of keywords in Biology, or a certain number of marks per point in theoretical subjects. By knowing the marking scheme method, students can then frame their answers to get full marks irrespective of long answers.
