CBSE 12th Board Exam 2026: Date Sheet, Admit Card, Pattern, Syllabus & Question Papers

CBSE 12th Exam 2026 - The Central Board of Secondary Education will conduct the CBSE Class 12 board exams in February-March 2026. The board has released the detailed CBSE 12th exam datesheet on September 24, 2025. The CBSE 12th Exam 2026 will be conducted from February 17 to April 9, 2026. Students can download the exam schedule from the official website of the board - cbse.gov.in.

The CBSE 12th admit card 2026 is expected to be released in February 2026, in online mode. The board will also release the syllabus and exam pattern for aspiring students on its official website - cbse.gov.in. The syllabus and exam pattern can also be downloaded from this article. Students who will be appearing for the 12th board exams next year can download the CBSE 12th question papers 2026. Practising sample and question papers will allow aspirants to get an idea of the syllabus and types of questions that may be asked in the examination.

LATEST UPDATES

CBSE Class 12 Admit Card 2025 Out

Last Updated 4th February 2025

CBSE 12th Exam Dates 2025 Out

Last Updated 21st November 2024

CBSE 12th Supplementary Result 2024 Released at cbseresults.nic.in

Last Updated 2nd August 2024

The CBSE12th result will be declared tentatively in May 2026. The board will issue a press release comprising the result statistics. Students appearing for the CBSE 12th examination 2026 will be able to check their board results on the official website - cbse.gov.in, results.cbse.nic.in. Last year, the CBSE class 12 exams were conducted from February 15 to April 4, 2025. Over 17 lakh students had appeared for the CBSE class 12th board exams last year. The CBSE had released the class 12th board exam result on May 13, 2025.

Latest Updates:

• CBSE 12th final datesheet was released on October 30, 2025. The CBSE board 12th exams are scheduled from February 17 to April 9, 2026 in pen-paper mode.
• CBSE has released the practical exam dates for winter-bound schools for class 12 board exams 2026 on its official website. CBSE 12th practical exams/ projects/ internal assessment for the academic year 2025-26 are scheduled from November 6 to December 6, 2025. Students must notice that these dates are for winter-bound schools only. 
• The tentative dates for CBSE 12th board exam is out. The senior secondary exam is scheduled from February 17 to April 9, 2026 in pen-paper mode.
• Students appearing for the National/ International sports/ Olympiads are entitled to some CBSE rules exemptions. They can submit a request to their school for availing special opportunity in Board's Main examination. 
• On September 15, 2025, CBSE released a fresh notice stating that CBSE offers an additional subject in class 12 which needs to be studied for 2 years. Performance of Internal Assessment along with the theory paper is important for the declaration of result. If a regular student has taken an additional subject in the previous year and has been placed under compartment or essential repeat category, they still have an option to appear as a private candidate. Lastly, the CBSE was of the opinion that if a student does not meet the eligibility criteria for additional subject cannot appear for the board examination as a private student.
• CBSE 12th Additional Subject option for the private students have been scrapped off from the academic year 2025-26. Read more: CBSE removes additional subject option in 2025-26...
• CBSE released an official circular for submission of List of Candidates (LOC) for CBSE 12th exams 2026. Schools are advised to follow the LOC submission actions listed in the circular.
• All the CBSE affiliated schools must now have CCTV cameras, with both video and audio recording, installed at entry and exit points, lobbies, corridors, staircases, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, canteen areas, storerooms, playgrounds, and other common areas. Toilets and washrooms are exempt from this provision.
• CBSE 12th sample papers 2025-26 have been released on the official website of the board - cbseacademic.nic.in.

Also Check - CBSE Class 12th Study Material 

CBSE 12th Board Exam 2026 - Key Highlights

• The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts the Class 12 Board Exams annually in pen-and-paper mode. Each exam has a duration of 3 hours.
• As per the marking scheme provided by CBSE, each subject carries a total of 100 marks. The theory component is allotted 70-80 marks, while the remaining marks are designated for practical exams.
• CBSE pre-board exams are tentatively scheduled to begin in December or January. Students are encouraged to approach these exams seriously, as their performance reflects their level of preparation.
• Practical exams are organized by schools, with subject teachers responsible for assessing students' performance in both the practical and internal assessment exams and awarding marks accordingly.
• CBSE 12th results are annoucned in the month of May at cbse.gov.in.

CBSE Exam Class 12 Dates 2026

Students who are appearing for the CBSE 12th exam 2026 can check the important dates related to the annual board exams. They can download the CBSE 12th exam date sheet 2026 from the official CBSE website with the help of the following steps:

• Go to the official website of CBSE - cbse.gov.in
• Go to the “main website” tab and then click on it
• Navigate to the “Latest @CBSE” section
• Click on the link for Circular and Datesheet for Main Exam 2026
• CBSE class 12 exam date sheet 2026 will be displayed on your screen
• Download and save the CBSE 12th date sheet and refer to it while preparing for the exams

CBSE 12th Tentative Date Sheet 2026 - Download PDF

CBSE 12th Final Date Sheet 2026 - Download PDF

The CBSE Date Sheet 2026 is released on the official website. Students can check the CBSE 12th date sheet 2026 in the table below: 

CBSE 12th Admit Card 2026

Students must carry their admit card and school ID to their respective exam centres on all exam days. If a student fails to produce their CBSE admit card on the exam day, they will not be permitted to enter the examination centre and write their exam. Students are advised to carefully verify the following details mentioned on their CBSE 12th admit card 2026:

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026

Students must thoroughly go through the latest CBSE 12th exam pattern and adopt the right preparation strategy for the annual board examination. Students must be aware of the following key points about the CBSE 12th exam pattern and marking scheme:

• As per the new CBSE 12th exam pattern, competency-based questions will carry 40% weightage, objective-type questions will carry 20% weightage and the short/long answer questions will carry 40% weightage 
• The paper for each subject will be 100 marks 
• Students must secure a minimum of 33% in every subject and overall to qualify for the CBSE 12th exams 
• Students need to cover the entire CBSE 12th exam syllabus for their respective subjects for the annual board examination
• CBSE 12th exams will be conducted in the offline mode (pen and paper format)

CBSE 12th Board Syllabus 2026

Along with the CBSE 12th exam pattern, students must also thoroughly go through the CBSE 12th Syllabus 2026. By developing a good understanding of the exam syllabus, students will be able to perform well in the class 12 board examination. Students can download the latest CBSE class 12 syllabus from the official website of CBSE. The exam syllabus, marking scheme and exam pattern will be different for different subjects. 

CBSE 12th Previous Year Papers 

Along with going through the latest exam syllabus and marking scheme, students must also go through and practise as many CBSE class 12 sample papers 2026 as possible. By solving the sample papers and previous year's papers, students will get an idea of what they need to prepare for the annual board examinations 2026.

CBSE 12th Result 2026

Students can check their CBSE 12th results through various ways like SMS, Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) or call, DigiLocker, or by visiting and signing into the official CBSE website. The board uses the 9-point scale system to evaluate the student’s performance in the CBSE 12th exams 2026. After the provisional CBSE 12th mark sheets are released on the official website, the students will also be receiving their official CBSE 12th mark sheet 2026 a few weeks after the results.

CBSE 12th Exam 2026: Preparation Tips for Students

Students must keep the following preparation tips to prepare well for the CBSE 12th exams 2026:

• Take breaks as and when required

Students have to put in long hours of study and hard work to prepare well for the CBSE 12th board exams. However, students should also prioritise rest while preparing for the exam.

• Complete NCERTs first and then move on to reference books

NCERTs are essential for the CBSE 12th board examination. Students must thoroughly study and go through their NCERTs before they move on to the other reference books.

• Self-made notes will help you in the long run

Students must focus on making their notes, which could either be digital or handwritten. This will aid them in faster revision and better retention of the content.

• Have your exam preparation strategy

Students must come up with the exam preparation strategy which suits them the best. Students should focus on their strengths and weaknesses and plan their preparation accordingly.

• Focus on Revision 

Revision is the key to preparing well for the CBSE 12th exam 2026. Students should revise their notes frequently for better understanding and retention.

• Solve CBSE 12th previous year papers

Students must go through and solve as many CBSE 12th previous year papers as possible. The previous year's papers, students will get an idea of the direction they have to work in

• Practice class 12 sample tests/mock tests

Students should also practise as many sample tests and mock tests to get a better idea of how to approach the exam in real-time.

• Stick to a healthy daily routine

While preparing for the CBSE 12th board exams, students often lose out on balance in their daily routine. Thus, students are advised to stick to a healthy daily routine to avoid feeling burned out while preparing for the exam. 

CBSE 12th Exam 2026: Instructions for the students

On all exam days, students must adhere to the following guidelines and instructions mentioned on their CBSE 12th admit card:

• Students must only use blue/black pen for writing the exam.
• They must reach the exam centre at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam.
• No such electronic devices like calculators, mobile phones, smartwatches etc. will be allowed inside the exam hall.
• Students must carry the hardcopy of their CBSE 12th admit card to the examination centre on all exam days, no soft copies of the admit card will be allowed or accepted.
• They must ensure that they are wearing their proper school uniform and carrying their school ID and CBSE 12th admit card to the examination centre on all exam days.