The CBSE 2026 Board Exams for both Class 10 and Class 12 continue with a total of 100 marks for each subject, which is divided between an External Theory Examination and Internal Assessment (Practical/Project Work).
The key features of the marks distribution and the updated question paper pattern are detailed below.
📝 General Marks Distribution (Class 10 & 12)
The overall division of marks depends on the subject:
| Subject Category | Theory Paper Marks | Internal/Practical/Project Marks | Total Marks |
| Major Academic Subjects (e.g., Languages, Social Science, Mathematics, Commerce, Humanities) | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| Science Subjects (e.g., Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 70 | 30 (Practical Examination) | 100 |
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Internal Assessment/Practical (20/30 Marks): This component is managed by the school and includes periodic tests, subject enrichment activities, portfolio, and the practical examination/project work.
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Theory Examination (70/80 Marks): This is the external written board exam
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🎯 Question Paper Pattern: Increased Competency-Based Questions
CBSE has significantly increased the weightage of Competency-Based Questions for both classes, focusing on testing students’ ability to apply knowledge and think critically rather than on rote memorization.
CBSE Class 10 & 12 Question Typology 2026
The question paper design follows a similar pattern for most subjects in both classes:
| Question Type | Class 10 Weightage | Class 12 Weightage | Description |
| Competency Focused Questions | 50% | 50% | Includes MCQs, Case-Based Questions, Source-Based Integrated Questions, etc. |
| Select Response Type Questions (MCQs) | 20% | 20% | Objective type questions that require selecting the correct option. |
| Constructed Response Questions (Short/Long Answer) | 30% | 30% | Descriptive, analytical, or traditional short and long answer questions. |
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The Class 12 question paper pattern remains broadly similar to the previous academic year (2025).
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The Class 10 Science paper has been restructured into three distinct subject-specific sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.
📊 Subject-Specific Weightage Highlights
While the exact marks distribution for all subjects is detailed in the official CBSE curriculum, here are key weightage examples for core subjects:
1. CBSE Class 10 Major Subjects (80 Marks Theory)
| Subject | Unit/Component | Marks Weightage (Theory Only) |
| Mathematics (Standard/Basic) | Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, etc. | 80 Marks Total |
| Science | Chemical Substances (Chemistry) | 25 Marks |
| World of Living (Biology) | 25 Marks | |
| Natural Phenomena (Physics) | 12 Marks | |
| Effects of Current (Physics) | 13 Marks | |
| Natural Resources | 5 Marks | |
| Social Science | History, Geography, Political Science, Economics | 20 Marks each |
2. CBSE Class 12 Science Stream (70 Marks Theory)
| Subject | Highest Weightage Unit | Marks Weightage (Theory Only) |
| Physics | Optics | 18 Marks |
| Chemistry | Organic Chemistry (Alcohols, Aldehydes, Amines, etc.) | ~26 Marks |
| Biology | Genetics & Evolution | 20 Marks |
3. CBSE Class 12 Mathematics (80 Marks Theory)
| Unit | Marks Weightage (Theory Only) |
| Calculus (Differentiation, Integration, etc.) | 35 Marks |
| Vectors and 3D Geometry | 14 Marks |
| Relations and Functions | 8 Marks |
| Probability | 8 Marks |
The full, detailed subject-wise marks distribution, including unit-wise weightage and the split between theory, practical, and internal assessment for all subjects, is available in the official CBSE Curriculum Document for the 2025-26 academic session on the CBSE website.
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