The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the CBSE board exam class 12th every year. This exam plays a big role in the academic journey of students from CBSE-affiliated schools, whether they are from the Science, Commerce, or Humanities stream. The CBSE class 12 exam is not just (just in case definition) about adding marks on the score sheet, but a platform that enables them to clear their vision for higher studies and career prospects. A good performance in these exams can open the door for admission into the premier institutes/ colleges in India or abroad. It is important for the students to pass written and practical examinations in offline mode.
Before going for the CBSE board exams class 12, you should know everything related to it. Do not worry, this blog will take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) you through everything from the application process, dates, eligibility, to the admit card result. With the right approach, the CBSE exam class 12 could be an excellent opportunity to come closer to your goals and dreams.
About CBSE Class 12 Exam 2026
CBSE 12th Exams 2026: The CBSE board exams class 12 are crucial in the life of a student since the class 12th board exam marks determine the future of education and career of the student. Your CBSE 12th class results can give you access to the best colleges in India or even abroad. CBSE Class 12 exam marks have a significant weightage in the admission process of several higher education institutes (for achieving a professional degree and long-term success).
Every year, the CBSE conducts the CBSE board exam Class 12th for the students enrolled in Class 12 in the schools affiliated to the CBSE. Almost 16 lakh students appear for the CBSE class 12th exam, which is conducted for 114 subjects. Students can also refer to the new CBSE 12th class syllabus 2026 and prepare a concrete study plan to crack the exam.
Latest CBSE Class 12 Exam 2026 Updates:
- The Central Board of Secondary Education has released the date and time (race against time phrase meaning) sheet for CBSE board exam class 12th theory papers. The complete CBSE Class 12 date sheet 2026 for both private and regular students has been released officially on October 30, 2025.
- The CBSE Class 12 board exams are scheduled to be held from February 17 to April 9, 2026.
- From now on, CBSE board exams class 12 will follow Competency-Based Education. That means an emphasis on problem-solving, practical knowledge, conceptual understanding, and critical thinking, not just memorization of facts.
- CBSE will now conduct board exams for Classes 10 and 12 twice a year, starting from the upcoming session. Students can choose to appear in both exams or only once, depending on their preparation. This change has been introduced to ease pressure, give flexibility, and provide two chances within the same academic year to improve performance.
- A new 9-Point Grading Scale will now be used by CBSE, replacing the older five-level scale. Under this new system, the top 12.5% of students will receive an ‘A1’ grade.
- CBSE has added four skill-based things in the CBSE Class 12: Land Transport System, Electronics and Hardware, Physical Activity Trainer, Design Thinking, and Innovation.
- CBSE 12th admit card 2026 for regular students will be released in February 2026, respectively. Private candidates can download their admit cards from the website (idioms website) by entering information such as their Application number and previous roll number.
- The CBSE 12th practical exam schedule for winter was notified by the CBSE separately. The practical exams will be conducted in November or December 2025, while other CBSE schools will conduct practicals in January or February 2026.
- CBSE Class 12 supplementary or compartment exams would be held in July 2026.
On the basis of their score in CBSE board exams class 12, students can take admission to numerous colleges and universities for undergraduate programs of their interest.
Students can check the major reforms and updates government has made for the board exams using this link – CBSE Class 12 Major Updates
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Highlights
| Full Exam Name | Central Board of Secondary Education Class 12th Examination |
| Short Exam Name | CBSE Class 12th |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Frequency Of Conduct | Twice a year |
| CBSE Class 12 Exam Date 2026 | February 17 to April 9, 2026 |
| CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Exam Date 2026 | July, 2026 |
| CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Result Date 2026 | August, 2026 |
| Release of CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 | 30th October 2025 |
| Exam Type | Written & Practical |
| Exam Pattern | Objective & Subjective Combined |
| Mode Of Exam | offline |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours |
CBSE Class 12th Important Dates
CBSE Class 12th – Important Upcoming Dates by Central Board of Secondary Education (Session 2026):
| Exam Event | Date Range | Mode |
| CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Exams | July 2026 | Offline |
| CBSE Class 12 Supplementary Practicals | July 2026 | Offline |
CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026 (Out)
The CBSE board exam class 12th is scheduled to be held from February 17 to April 9, 2026. Most of the CBSE class 12 exam papers will be conducted from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, but for some subjects, the timing will be extended till 1:30 PM. The CBSE board exams class 12 will be conducted over a span of 49 days. The CBSE Class 12 results are likely to be announced on May, 2026. The CBSE Class 12 exams will follow the new two-board format, which means they will be conducted twice in the academic session.
According to the tentative timeline, the CBSE Class 12 supplementary exams are expected to begin on July, 2026. The results for these compartment exams will be declared by August, 2026. Students are advised to keep checking for the official announcement of the CBSE date sheet 2026.
You can also refer to the 12th board exam date 2026 from the link: CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2025-2026
CBSE Board Class 12 Subjects
In the CBSE Class 12 Science stream, subjects are mainly grouped into two types – Compulsory and Optional. To prepare well for the CBSE board exams class 12, it’s important for students to know which subjects fall under each category. These subjects are part of the syllabus for the CBSE board exam class 12th and help students plan better for their CBSE exam class 12.
| Subject Type | Subjects |
| Compulsory |
|
| Optional |
|
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To appear in the CBSE Class 12th 2026 examinations, regular students must have passed Class 11 from a CBSE-affiliated school and be currently studying in Class 12. Private candidates must meet certain rules based on age and previous exam records. There’s no upper age limit, but a minimum age of 17 years is usually recommended, with the date of birth preferably on or before March 31, 2009.
- Regular Students: Those studying in Class 12 and who cleared Class 11 from a CBSE-affiliated school are eligible for the CBSE board exams class 12.
- Private Candidates: Those who failed the CBSE exam class 12 earlier and are reappearing, or completed Class 11 from a recognized board, are eligible.
- Age Rule: No maximum age limit, but for CBSE board exam class 12th, students should be at least 17 years old, born on or before March 31, 2009.
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Application Process
The application process for the CBSE Class 12th 2026 examinations will generally involve regular students submitting their exam forms through their schools, while private candidates will send their applications directly to the regional CBSE office. Although the exact dates for the CBSE board exams class 12 2026 have not been announced yet, the form-filling process is expected to begin around September 2025, and the exams are likely to be held in February or March 2026.
General Process for CBSE Class 12 Exam Applications:
1. Regular Students:
- Collect the exam form from your school.
- Fill it out carefully as per school instructions.
- Submit the completed form within the school’s deadline.
2. Private Candidates:
- Submit your application to the CBSE Regional Officer in your state/UT.
- Attach the filled form, required fee, and three passport-size photos.
3. Required Documents:
- Aadhaar or valid ID, email ID, category certificate (if any), phone number, address, and a photo in JPEG format.
List of documents required for CBSE 12th Application Form 2026
To apply for the CBSE Class 12 exams in 2026, you’ll need a few important documents. These include your previous year’s Class 12th admit card, photocopies of your Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets, three recent passport-size color photos, and a valid ID like an Aadhaar card.
Documents Required to Fill CBSE Class 12 Application Form 2026:
- Admit card of the previous CBSE board exam class 12th
- Photocopies of Class 10th and 12th pass mark sheets
- Three color passport-size photos
- Aadhaar card or another valid ID proof
- Email ID and mobile number
- Signature
Documents Needed for CBSE Class 12th 2026 Examinations:
- Admit card for CBSE exam class 12
- School-issued ID card
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus for the CBSE Class 12th 2026 examinations has been released and is now available on the official CBSE Academic website. For the academic session 2025–26, there has been no reduction in the CBSE Class 12 syllabus, unlike some previous years. The syllabus for the CBSE board exams class 12 includes both core and elective subjects. It focuses more on practical learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving to help students do better in the CBSE class 12 exam.
Students can view the CBSE Class 12th Exam Syllabus by following this link – CBSE Class 12th Syllabus 2025-26
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Exam Pattern
CBSE has introduced a new exam pattern for Classes 11 and 12 starting from the 2025-26 academic session. This updated format aims to test how well students understand and apply concepts instead of simply memorizing them. Knowing the pattern helps students prepare more effectively for the CBSE Class 12th 2026 examinations by understanding the key parts of the paper. The CBSE Class 12 exam pattern will include a good mix of question types MCQs, short answers, and long descriptive questions. About 60–70% of the CBSE exam class 12 paper will be based on NCERT content.
For detailed marking schemes of major subjects in the CBSE board exams class 12, check the link below: CBSE Board Exam Pattern 2025-26 Class 12: Check Subject-wise Marking Scheme and Paper Pattern
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Mock Test
- It is recommended that students solve sample papers and previous year question papers shared by CBSE to understand the CBSE class 12 exam pattern properly.
- Practicing last year’s sample papers gives an idea about the types of questions that may come in the CBSE Class 12th 2026 examinations.
- The CBSE board exams class 12 sample papers are available on the official website, and you can also download them from our site.
- These papers also help students learn how to answer different question types in the CBSE exam class 12.
Students can access the Sample Papers and Previous year Quention papers, provided by Motion to help students prepare better and score well in their exams.
To download the Sample paper and Previous year question papers, students can access this link – CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers with Solutions and CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 12 With Solutions Download
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Preparation Tips
To perform well in the CBSE Class 12th 2026 exams, you must have a smart and planned strategy, in which there are strong concepts, regular practice, good time management, etc.
Best Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 12th 2026:
- Begin with NCERT Books: Concentrate on NCERT books at the beginning, as these include the entire CBSE class 12 exam syllabus and help in forming a strong base.
- Learn to Understand: Don’t memorize. There should be a clear understanding of every topic, as the CBSE board exams class 12 do not just test your theoretical knowledge but also exam-based knowledge.
- Make a Study Timetable: Plan a study time table and adhere to it daily. Adhere to it, and revise constantly.
- Practice More: Practice the samples and previous years’ question papers to get to know the pattern of the CBSE exam class 12 and utilize your time efficiently there in the examination hall.
- Improve Weak Subjects: Identify your weak subjects and allocate more time towards them. If you get stuck, ask your teachers or classmates for help.
- Prepare Handy Notes: Prepare small notes/a chart/ diagram for quick revision. These can be useful for revision on formulas and important concepts.
- Use Extra Resources: Along with the NCERT, refer to trusted reference books and online materials for a deeper understanding and extra practice.
- Attempt Mock Tests: Practice full mock tests in a timed setup to boost your speed and check how well you are prepared.
- Stay Healthy: Ensure that you sleep well, consume a well-balanced diet, and practice light exercises or yoga, or meditation for relaxation in the midst of the CBSE board exam class 12th.
- Request Help: If you are stuck, ask your teacher, mentor, obtain tutoring, or join a study group. Do not be afraid to ask questions.
To get better and subject-wise preparation tips, students can follow this link – CBSE Class 12 Exam Preparation Tips 2026
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Admit Card
The Central Board of Secondary Education will release the CBSE Class 12 admit card for the 2026 exams in February. Last year, the CBSE admit card was made available on February, 2026. Regular candidates of class CBSE board exam class 12th can obtain their admit cards from the school. But private candidates can access theirs on the official CBSE website.
Key Points to Remember:
- The CBSE exam class 12 admit card will contain information regarding the exam timetable, name of the student, date of birth, CBSE 12th roll no, and significant instructions.
- Keep your CBSE Class 12 admit card safe even after the CBSE board exams class 12 are over, as your roll number and mark sheet are required for getting admission into higher education institutions after the CBSE class 12 exam.
Steps to Download the CBSE 12th Admit Card 2026:
- Visit the Official Website: Open the official CBSE website – cbse.gov.in.
- Locate the Admit Card Link: Go to the “Latest Updates” section and click on a link that reads, “Download Admit Card for Board Exam 2026.”
- Enter Requisite Information: Registration number, roll number of last year, or your name.
- Click Submit: Click the “Submit” or “Proceed” button.
- Check Your Admit Card: When it comes, verify that everything is accurate.
- Download and Print: Save and get the colour printout for better clarity.
CBSE Class 12th 2026 Result
The CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 is likely to be announced on or around May 20, 2026 (tentatively). Students can check their CBSE exam class 12 result by going to the official website – cbseresults.nic.in. They will require their roll number, admit card number, school number, and exam centre number to check the result. The board had declared the CBSE board exam class 12th result last year on May 13, 2025.
How to Check CBSE Class 12 Result 2026:
Students can check their CBSE Class 12 Board exams 2026 results on the official website, DigiLocker, UMANG app, and via SMS by entering their roll number and other credentials.
How to check CBSE Class 12 Result 2026:
- Visit the Official Website: Visit on cbse.gov.in or results.cbse.nic.in.
- Click the Result Link: Go to “Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII) Results 2026.”
- Enter Your Credentials: In the provided space, enter your Roll number, DOB (DD/MM/YYYY), School Code, and Admit Card ID.
- Submit & View: Click on the “Submit” button to view your marks.
- Download/Print: Click and print, saving the result for future reference.
Students who are dissatisfied with their CBSE board exams class 12 results may apply for re-evaluation of their papers. Candidates who do not qualify for any one subject can appear for the CBSE Class 12 compartment exam.
FAQs on CBSE Board Exam Class 12th 2026
Q1. How tough will the CBSE Class 12 question papers be in 2026?
Ans. It’s too early to say how difficult the CBSE board exam class 12th papers will be in 2026. But looking at the trend from 2025, students can expect a paper with moderate to high difficulty, mainly testing their concepts and how they apply them.
Q2. When can students expect the CBSE Class 12 Result 2026?
Ans. The CBSE Class 12 Result 2026 is likely to be declared in May, around the second week. A tentative date could be May 13, though it’s not confirmed yet.
Q3. How can I get my CBSE 12th admit card?
Ans. Regular students of the CBSE board exams class 12 will get their admit cards from school. Private candidates can download the CBSE Class 12 admit card from the official website, cbse.nic.in.
Q4. Is it possible to transfer CBSE marks to NIOS?
Ans. Yes, if you’ve passed some subjects in CBSE earlier, you can transfer those marks to NIOS using the Transfer of Credit (TOC) option during the admission process.
Q5. What’s the main difference between verification and re-evaluation in CBSE?
Ans. In CBSE board exams class 12, verification checks whether the total marks are added and recorded correctly. Re-evaluation, on the other hand, involves checking your answers again by a new examiner.
Q6. When will CBSE Sample Papers 2026 Class 12th be released?
Ans. The CBSE Class 12 sample papers for the 2025-26 session are expected to be uploaded on the official website around April 2026.
Q7. What are the passing marks for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams 2026?
Ans. To pass the CBSE Class 12 Board exams 2026, students must get at least 33% in each subject. This includes theory and practical (if any) as well as 33% overall.
Q8. What’s the best way to prepare for the CBSE Class 12 exam?
Ans. To score well in the CBSE exam class 12, follow a proper timetable, focus on NCERT books, understand the concepts clearly, practice old papers, revise often, and manage your health and time.
Q9. Is the admit card required in the exam centre for CBSE 12th?
Ans. Yes, it is compulsory to bring the CBSE Class 12 admit card and your school ID when you appear for any paper in the CBSE board exam class 12th.
Q10. When is the CBSE 12th date sheet 2026 expected to be out?
Ans. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 date sheet for 2026 was officially released on 30 October 2025.
Q11. What is the passing rule for CBSE Class 12 exams?
Ans. For CBSE Class 12, students need at least 33% in each subject, including both the theory and practical parts (if applicable), along with 33% total overall to be considered passed.
Q12. Do students have to pass theory and practical separately?
Ans. Yes, to clear a subject in CBSE board exams class 12, students must score a minimum of 33% in the theory paper and 33% in the practical exam individually, wherever applicable.
Q13. If a student fails in theory but passes practical, do they need to retake both?
Ans. No, if you fail the theory but pass the practical in any CBSE Class 12 Board exams 2026 subject, you only need to reappear for the theory paper. Your earlier practical marks will still be counted.
