About CBSE Class 12

Class 12, the final year of high school, is an important milestone in a student's life. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts Class 12 Board Examinations every year. The Board exams are one of the most important examinations as they help determine the career path. Students need to prepare well and have a thorough understanding of their syllabus.

Learners can choose out of three streams in the 11th and 12th standard-Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities. The syllabus for each stream has been developed by CBSE in a way to ensure that Learners enjoy a holistic educational experience.

All Subjects

Learners can choose among three streams based on their career interests and aptitude. Each stream has different subjects, however, English is a compulsory subject for all the streams.

Subjects in Science Stream: The Science Stream is further subdivided into two options. Medical and Non-Medical.

Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English are the compulsory subjects for students who want to pursue a career in medical science. Students can choose Psychology/ Fine Arts/ Economics/ Physical Education/ Biotechnology as their optional subject.

Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English are the primary subjects in non-medical science. The fifth elective subject may include options like Computer Science, Fine Arts, Biology, Physical Education, Engineering Drawing, etc.

Subjects in Humanities Stream: Learners must study two primary subjects in Humanities, namely Political Science and Hindi. Some CBSE affiliated schools allow students to choose subjects from History, Political Science, Economics, Geography and Psychology, with English as a mandatory subject. The optional subjects include Fine Arts, Psychology, Economics, Physical Education, Legal Studies, Home Science, and more.

Subjects in Commerce Stream: Commerce is the study of trade and business that includes four primary subjects – English, Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics. In the fifth and optional subject, Learners can choose from options like Informatics Practice, Mathematics, Physical Education, Fine Arts, Media Studies, and more.

Syllabus

CBSE, which conducts the 12th board exams, has shortened the Class 12 syllabus by 30% for the academic year 2020-21, considering the coronavirus pandemic. The revised syllabus for all streams is available on the CBSE website. Learners can access the complete syllabus available on the official website to begin their preparation for the board exams. In addition, Unacademy – India's leading online learning portal, also has the full and updated syllabus for the academic year 2020-21.

Besides, the board exam syllabus varies according to different streams. Learners can ace the exams with dedicated preparation for a few months. In addition to the NCERT-prescribed texts, Learners can also refer to help-books, previous years question papers, reference books, and additional study material to gain a thorough understanding and prepare for the exam.

The compulsory subjects for all the three streams comprise a theoretical and practical component. The practical component may consist of project files, assignments, laboratory experiments, practical examination, and viva voce.

Complete CBSE Class 12 Board Exams Syllabus

Click here to download the revised senior secondary curriculum for Science, Humanities, or Commerce streams.

Study Material

The curriculum for the CBSE Class 12 board exams is quite extensive. Learners are tested on their theoretical as well as practical knowledge and application skills. Moreover, CBSE has recently cut down the syllabus for the batch of 2020-21 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learners need to be fully aware of the curriculum and textbooks that they must study to excel in the board exams.

The NCERT-prescribed textbooks and additional reference books for each stream are given below.

Science

• Physics, Class 12, Part- 1 and 2, Published by NCERT
• Laboratory Manual of Physics for Class 12, Published by NCERT
• CBSE Chapter-Wise Solutions- Physics Class 12 by S.K. Singh
• Concepts of Physics- Volume 1&2 by H.C. Verma

• Concise Inorganic Chemistry
• Chemistry Part- 1&2, Published by NCERT
• Modern's ABC of Chemistry Class - 12 (Part 1 & 2)
• Pradeep's New Course Chemistry for Class XII (Vol I and II)

• CBSE Biology Chapterwise Solved Papers class 12th by Arihant Expert
• Together with Biology by S.Chand Biology by Campbell and Reece
• Trueman's Elementary Biology for Class 12 and NEET by K.N. Bhatia and M.P. Tyagi
• NCERT Class 12 Biology Textbook

• CBSE U Like Class 12 Mathematics Sample Papers with solutions
• CBSE Examination Mathematics: 15 Sample Question Papers
• Problems Plus in IIT Mathematics

• CBSE Topic Wise/Chapter Wise Question Bank by Oswaal Publications

Commerce

• DK Goel
• TS Grewal

• Subhash Dey
• Poonam Gandhi

• Dr Anoop Atria
• TR Jain
• Radha Bahuguna

Arts/Humanities

• Hindi Antral
• Hindi Aroh
• Hindi Vitan

• NCERT Political Science

Question Paper Pattern

Depending on the stream, Learners may have to appear for practical exams before the written board exam. Practical exams usually begin in early March and go on till June. Meanwhile, the offline written exams are conducted in two shifts. The exam in the morning shift commences from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM, while the exam in the evening shift is held from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.

Due to the revised syllabus, CBSE has also changed the pattern of the question paper for the 12th board exams. Now, more attention is given to application-based and objective questions. However, the marking pattern remains the same. Learners need to secure 33% marks in their theory and practical papers to pass the exam.

The theory exam will have a duration of 3 hours and total marks range from 70 to 80 depending on the subject. One of the significant changes is the introduction of multiple-choice questions with a high weightage, along with case study-based questions. Apart from this, the pattern and marking scheme for practical exams has not been changed.

• Exam Duration: The total exam duration will be 3 hours 15 minutes. 15 minutes have been allotted for reading the question paper.
• Sections: Every subject will have three sections: Written, Practical and Internal Assessment
• Number of Questions: There will be a total of 40 questions.
• Nature of Questions: Question types will include multiple-choice questions, very short answer questions, short answer questions and long answer questions. However, this year the weightage of MCQs will increase, as mandated by CBSE.
• Marking Scheme: MCQs will be worth one mark each. Very short, short, and long answer type questions will carry two, three and four marks, respectively.
• Negative Marking: There will be no negative marking.
• Mode of Examination: Class 12 board exams are conducted offline in pen and paper mode. No provisions for online exams in any subject have been made.
• Medium of Examination: The two primary mediums of the examination are English or Hindi.

Previous year's question papers with solutions

Learners appearing for Class 12 board exams can prepare well by solving previous years' question papers and sample papers. To download the question papers and solutions, visit CBSE's official website. Learners can also enrol on Unacademy, an online platform to learn from Top Educators and clear their doubts through Live Interactive Sessions. Further, they can solidify their knowledge and be prepared for all types of questions with over 40 exams to practice on Unacademy.

Click here to download the previous years' question papers with solutions.

Click here to download sample question papers and solutions with the updated marking scheme for the batch of 2020-21.

Study Plan for CBSE Class

Most Learners find preparation for the 12th boards overwhelming because of the vast syllabus and multiple subjects. However, with the right planning and schedule, you can overcome the challenges and ace your exams without difficulty. Learners need to remember that their retention capacity, attention span, and efficiency is different from others. So, they must prepare a study plan that suits them and follow it religiously. Given below are some key points that will help you formulate a robust study plan.

1. Create a timetable – and stick to it!

Discipline is the key if you want to ace your exams. The best strategy is to divide the syllabus and follow your timetable religiously. Make sure to include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and recreation breaks in your schedule. Further, avoid eating junk food as you don't want to fall sick at a crucial time. Build your health by eating healthy food. Most importantly, set realistic targets.

2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses

Every Learner has at least one subject that they feel comfortable with and other subjects would seem like their Achilles' heel. Identify these subjects and topics and dedicate relevant time for preparation. Start preparing for the difficult subjects first as they will take more time to understand. At the same time, don't leave anything for the last moment as it can lead to immense pressure and stress.

3. Make comprehensive notes

It is always better to study from notes. But if you don't already have class notes, creating notes for multiple chapters in each subject can be extremely time-consuming. Unacademy, an online learning platform, can help you out by providing comprehensive study material.

4. Solve sample papers: practice makes perfect

Practising with sample papers will make you aware of the different types of questions that can be asked, important topics, marking scheme, and more. They can help you prepare well and ensure that nothing catches you by surprise in the exam hall. Attempting sample papers and previous years' papers also help you self-evaluate and understand where you are excelling and where you need practice.

5. Do not overburden yourself

Make your timetable in a constructive way and take ample breaks. If you study for hours without a break, your brain will get overwhelmed, and you won't be able to retain what you study. Take things slow and steady, and don't worry!

6. Relax and unwind

Take ample breaks throughout the day. Ideally, you can do a short exercise for 5-7 minutes after every one hour of study. This will give you a short break and ensure that your body keeps getting movement to stay active. Include breaks within your study schedule and do anything that you enjoy – paint, play or listen to music, watch your favourite show, or go out to play!

7. Revise

Revision helps you understand and retain concepts better. Whether you want to do a chapter-wise revision or topic-wise revision, don't skip anything, as revision is the best way to ensure that you are fully prepared.

If you want help creating an accurate study plan, you can download CBSE's official study plan with tips and tricks. Click on the link given ahead to download.

The best way to prepare for CBSE Class 12?

You will get an additional 15 minutes to go through the question paper. Make the best use of these 15 minutes to create a strategy and identify the questions that seem challenging. This will help you allocate the 3 hours efficiently.

Follow the marking scheme instructions. Do not write long answers for questions worth 2-3 marks as writing extra won't fetch you extra marks. This will only reduce your writing speed and efficiency. Make your answers crisp and to-the-point for better results!

Attempt all questions. Since there is no negative marking, you can freely attempt all questions to the best of your knowledge. You may get marks for attempting or the benefit of the doubt in case there is a discrepancy in the question.

Most importantly, carry 3-4 spare pens and write with the same pen to ensure uniformity and neatness in your answer sheet. Carry your stationery such as pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, etc., so you don't have to borrow in case you run out of anything.

Books to refer to for CBSE Class 12

Apart from studying prescribed textbooks thoroughly, Learners must gain additional knowledge from reference books to improve exam performance. Some of the most popular titles and publishers for all streams include U-Like, Exemplar, Arihant, Pradeep, TR Jain, HC Verma, Modern and Together With.

Best way to prepare for the CBSE Class exam?

The Class 12th board exam is the most crucial exam for school Learners. The best way to prepare involves having a clear understanding of all concepts down to the basics and repeatedly practising to solidify your knowledge of the subjects. Here are some tips to help you ace the exams:

1. Prepare smartly and start studying in advance. Some exams may have a preparatory leave of many days, but you shouldn't leave any new concept for the preparatory leave. Study everything in advance so you can relax and revise quickly without stress.
2. Practice mindfulness techniques. This will not only reduce your stress levels but will boost your concentration and retention, making it easier to study.
3. Clear all your doubts and stay connected with teachers and peers. Nowadays, you can find alternative ways of learning, such as enrolling for Live Classes on Unacademy to boost preparation.
4. This year, the syllabus has been cut down by 30%. Make sure that you are aware of the updated syllabus and exam pattern to prepare in the best way and study smartly.
5. Practice as many sample papers as you can.