CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam Pattern 2025-26: The CBSE Class 12 Physics exam pattern helps students understand the structure of the paper, including the types of questions and marking scheme. It allows them to prepare strategically, manage time effectively, and focus on high-weightage topics to score better in the exam. However, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has not yet released the exam pattern and marking scheme for the 2025-26 academic year. Based on the official question paper design shared along with the syllabus, it is likely that the board will follow the same exam pattern and marking scheme as in 2024-25. In this article, we will explain the expected exam format for CBSE Class 12 Physics 2026, including the types of questions, unit-wise weightage, and marking scheme in a simple manner.
CBSE Class 12 Physics Question Paper Design 2025-26
CBSE has officially released the Class 12 Physics question paper design for the 2025–26 academic year along with the syllabus PDF. This year, the board has kept the same question paper design as last year. The internal choice rule also remains unchanged; there will be no overall choice in the question paper, but about 33% internal choices will be provided within all sections, just like the previous year's pattern. The following table shows the question paper design for years 2024-25 and 2025-26, including question Typology, total marks and weightage percentage.
|
S. No. |
Typology of Questions |
2024-25 | 2025-26 | ||
| Total Marks | % Weightage | Total Marks | % Weightage | ||
| 1 | Remembering: Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts, and answers. Understanding: Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organising, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions and stating main ideas |
27 | 38% | 27 | 38% |
| 2 | Applying: Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way. |
22 | 32% | 22 | 32% |
| 3 | Analysing: Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalisations Evaluating: Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria. Creating: Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions. |
21 | 30% | 21 | 30% |
| Total | 70 | 100% | 70 | 100% | |
CBSE Class 12 Physics Exam 2025-26: Overview
Check the expected overview of CBSE Class 12th Physics Exam 2025-26 given in the table below.
| Conducting Body | CBSE |
| Mode of Exam |
Pen and Paper (Offline) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Marks | 70 |
| Total Number of Questions | 33 |
| Sections |
5 (A, B, C, D, and E) |
| Question Types |
|
CBSE Class 12 Physics Paper Format 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Physics question paper is structured into different sections based on difficulty level and types of questions. For the academic year 2025–26, the question paper is expected to be divided into five sections and contain 33 questions, similar to the previous year. All questions are compulsory, with no overall choice. However, internal choices are provided within specific sections. The detailed CBSE Class 12 Physics Board Exam Pattern is given below:
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks | Type of Questions | Internal Choice |
| Section A (Q.1 - Q.16) | 16 | 1 | 16 | MCQs, A&R | No |
| Section B (Q.17 - Q.21) | 5 | 2 | 10 | VSA | 1 |
| Section C (Q.22 - Q.28) | 7 | 3 | 21 | SA | 1 |
| Section D (Q.29 - Q.30) | 2 | 4 | 8 | Case Study-based | 2 (In Subparts) |
| Section E (Q.31 - Q.33) | 3 | 5 | 15 | LA | 3 |
CBSE 12th Physics Marking Scheme 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Physics Board Exam Marking Scheme ensures fair evaluation by incorporating stepwise marking for problem-solving questions. Below is the detailed expected section-wise marking distribution for the Class 12 Board Exam for the academic year 2025–26.:
- Section A - 16 MCQs and A&R of 1 mark each
- Section B - 5 VSA Questions of 2 marks each
- Section C - 7 SA Questions of 3 marks each
- Section D - 2 Case Study-based Questions of 4 marks each
- Section E - 3 LA Questions of 5 marks each
CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26
CBSE has released the Class 12 Physics syllabus for the Science stream for the 2025-26 academic year. The official syllabus PDF includes the full course structure, chapters, and topics that students need to study. A strong understanding of Physics not only helps in scoring well in board exams but also plays an important role in cracking national-level entrance tests.
Check, CBSE Class 12 Physics Syllabus 2025-26 with detailed analysis, including important topics, latest unit-wise weightage etc.
Expert Tips to Prepare for CBSE Class 12 Physics Board Exam 2026
- Understand the syllabus and focus on high-weightage chapters.
- Practice previous years' question papers and identify frequently asked questions.
- Solve plenty of case study and assertion-reason questions to understand how questions are framed in the exam.
- CBSE follows a step-marking pattern, so focus on writing solutions step by step.
- Allocate specific time for each section during practice.
- Solve past years' board papers within 3 hours to improve speed and accuracy.
- NCERT is the key resource for conceptual clarity, so revise it thoroughly.