CBSE Class 12 Psychology Question Paper with Answer Key 2026: PDF Download, Exam Analysis
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Answer Key 2026 is released as the exam is now concluded. The Class 12 Psychology exam has been conducted on March 5, 2026 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Check and calculate your marks here.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12th Psychology exam on March 5, 2026. The exam has been held in a single shift, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. The overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate and very lengthy as per many students. The complex part of the paper was from Allport’s trait Theory (an MCQ) and Group processes and influence. The paper was long and conceptual. An unofficial subject-expert-verified answer key has been provided for Section A (MCQs) of CBSE Class 12 Psychology immediately after the exam is concluded. With the help of the unofficial answer key, you can calculate your raw scores. According to theCBSE Class 12 Passing Marks 2026, you are required to get a minimum of 33% marks in aggregate marks and 33% marks separately in both theory and practical components.
Overall, the CBSE 12th Psychology theory paper consists of six sections, i.e., A, B, C, D, E, and F. The question paper will have 50% competency-based questions, 20% MCQs, and 30% short/long answers. You can go through the article below to know more about the CBSE Class 12 Psychology Answer Key 2026.
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Unofficial Answer Key 2026
Section A of the CBSE Class 12 Psychology exam comprises 14 questions of 1 mark each. All the questions are Multiple Choice type questions with 4 possible options. The tables below for MCQs will be updated as soon as the CBSE Class 12 Psychology exam is concluded:
Section A: Multiple Choice Questions
Question No. | Question | Answers |
1 | Neha always scores well in school assessments and is appreciated for her sharp, critical ability, reasoning and analytical thinking. Which form of intelligence is she most likely demonstrating ? | Componential Intelligence |
2 | A teacher notices that one of her usually calm and respectful students behaves aggressively during a group activity. She considers whether this behaviour might be due to peer pressure and classroom dynamics rather than the student's personality. Which approach is the teacher following? | Situationism |
3 | Rohan failed an important exam. Instead of accepting that he didnt prepare well, he insists that the teacher was biased and the exam was unfair. Which defence mechanism is Rohan using? | Rationalization |
4 | Meera always felt left out, low and incompetent as a child because her elder siblings were more successful. Now she works extremely hard to be the best in every task she takes up. According to Adler, this behaviour can be explained by | Inferiority Complex |
5 | Ananya is known in school for honesty. No matter the situation, she always speaks the truth. According to Allport, this trait can be classified | Cardinal Trait |
6 | Which concept is based on Bandura's social learning theory? | Self-efficacy |
7 | Match the following | Option B |
8 | The white blood cells | Leucocytes/ antigens |
9 | Assertion A and Reason R | Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). |
10 | _______ is characterised by widespread impairments | Autism Spectrum Disorder |
11 | Your friend failed an important test. You sit with him/her, listen to his/her feelings, and try to understand the experience without judgement. Which quality are you demonstrating and why ? | Empathy - because you are trying to understand your friend's feeling from their perspective |
12 | A therapist working with children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) gives them a star sticker each time they complete a task without distraction. After collecting five stars, they can exchange it with a small toy. What psychological technique is being used here? | Token economy |
13 | According to the concept of balance proposed by Fritz Heider, imbalance is found when: | (i) and (iii) only |
14 | In an attitude change, when the change is in the same direction as the existing attitude (for example, a positive attitude may become more positive, or a negative attitude may become more negative), this is called | Congruency |
Introduction of On-Screen Evaluation for CBSE Class 12 Board Exams
While Class 10 continues with physical evaluation, the Central Board of Secondary Education has implemented a new system that will enable teachers to “remain in their schools and continue regular duties." For the Class 12 board exams 2026, there will be an On-Screen Marking (OSM) evaluation system from now onwards. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially communicated this decision to affiliated schools on February 9, 2026. Instead of checking physical answer sheets manually, the answer sheets will be scanned and uploaded digitally for evaluation on computer screens. It is expected that with this shift, the evaluators can complete the evaluation process in 9 days, as compared to 12 days earlier. Marks will be awarded question-wise, with an automatic totaling system by software to eliminate calculation errors.
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Passing Marks 2026
In CBSE Class 12 Psychology exam, you will be required to score at least 33% marks overall to pass. This applies separately to the theory and practical components. Which means, you need to get a minimum of 23 marks out of 70 in the theory paper. While in 30-mark practical exam, you have to get at least 9 marks to pass. Therefore, you must achieve a grade 'D' in Psychology along with other subjects to get the Pass Certificate. Failing in either of the components (theory or practical) will lead you to appear for the compartment exam.
CBSE Class 12 Grading System 2026
CBSE Class 12 uses a 9-point relative grading system, assigning grades from A1 (top performers) to E (fail). You will be awarded grades according to your performance in the exam. Theory and practical exams in external subjects will be in numerical scores. In addition to numerical scores, the Board will give grades in the mark sheets in case of external examination subjects. In case of internal assessment subjects, only grades will be shown. You will have to acquire at least a grade ‘D’ to pass the subject and the exam.
CBSE Class 12 Marksheet 2026
After the result is released, you can access your online CBSE Class 12 marksheet from the official CBSE website, at cbseresults.nic.in. You can also use DigiLocker/ SMS facilities to check the marksheet by entering your roll number, school number, and admit card ID. On passing the CBSE Class 12th exam successfully, CBSE will provide you with an originalCBSE Class 12 Marksheet 2026.For the same, you will have to visit your respective school premises. The board is likely to issue the original marksheet at the end of May 2026.
CBSE Class 12 Merit Certificates 2026
CBSE class 12 merit certificates 2026 will be awarded to the top 0.1% of candidates who will pass each subject, based on official exam results. Instead of releasing official topper lists, the Board has decided to release merit certificates. You must ensure that you have passed the examination with 33% aggregate, including separate theory/ practical minimums. These certificates recognize high achievement per subject and are issued post-results automatically. However, if the number of candidates passing a subject is less than 500, no merit certificate will be issued. If multiple students achieve the same top score, all will receive the certificate.
The above mentioned answers will be unofficial answer keys that are based on our analysis and online research. Hope that the above-mentioned CBSE Class 12 Psychology Unofficial Answer Key 2026 will help you for the objective portion.Also CheckCBSE Class 12 Result 2026