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CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26:
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2026 gives students a clear idea of the paper’s format and structure, helping them prepare effectively for the board exams. The Biology theory paper is divided into five sections (A–E), each designed to test different skills such as conceptual understanding, application, analysis, and interpretation. These sections include various types of questions, including multiple-choice, very short, short, case-based, and long answer questions carrying different marks. As per the latest CBSE guidelines for the 2026 exam, the Biology theory paper carries 70 marks, while the practical exam is allotted 30 marks, making a total of 100 marks. The questions are based on all the units prescribed in the NCERT syllabus, with 33% internal choices and varying weightage for each unit.
Students are advised to review the
CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus for
2025-26
. The theory paper of the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam will be held for 70 marks and 30 marks will be allotted to the practical exam.
Students appearing for the upcoming CBSE 12th Board exam 2026 can access the CBSE 12th Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26 from the CBSE's official website at cbse.nic.in. The detailed final
CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2026
is expected to be released in December 2025. The CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus 2025-26 comprises five units and 15 chapters. The CBSE Class 12 Biology practical exam syllabus is divided into 4 parts. Continue reading the article to know more about the CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26.
CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern 2025-26
The theory paper will be conducted for 3 hours and 15 minutes. The CBSE Class 12 Biology theory paper 2026 carries a total of 70 marks and is divided into five main units. Among these, Genetics and Evolution hold the highest weightage of 20 marks, followed by Reproduction, which carries 16 marks. The units Biology and Human Welfare and Biotechnology are allotted 12 marks each, while Ecology and Environment accounts for the remaining 10 marks . From the table below, students can check out the CBSE Class 12 Biology Blueprint 2025-26 for the theory paper:
| Unit | Unit Name | Chapters | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| VI | Reproduction |
Chapter 2: Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants
Chapter 3: Human Reproduction Chapter 4: Reproductive Health | 16 |
| VII | Genetics and Evolution |
Chapter 5: Principles of Inheritance and Variation
Chapter 6: Molecular Basis of Inheritance | 20 |
| VIII | Biology and Human Welfare |
Chapter 8: Human Health and Diseases
Chapter 10: Microbes in Human Welfare Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use. | 12 |
| IX | Biotechnology and its application |
Chapter 11: Biotechnology - Principles and Processes
Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Applications | 12 |
| X | Ecology and Environment |
Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations
Chapter 14: Ecosystem Chapter 15: Biodiversity and its Conservation | 10 |
Also read: CBSE Class 12 Biology Important Questions 2025-26
CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Blueprint 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Exam 2026 will be held between February and March 2026. The maximum marks in the practical exam will be 30 marks. The detailed CBSE Class 12 Biology Practical Exam date sheet 2026 will be provided by the Board in December. The CBSE Class 12 Biology practical blueprint 2025-26 has been tabulated below:
| Evaluation Scheme | Marks |
|---|---|
| One Major Experiment 5 | 5 |
| One Minor Experiment 2 & 3 | 4 |
| Slide Preparation 1 & 4 | 5 |
| Spotting | 7 |
| Practical Record + Viva Voce (Credit to the student’s work over the academic session may be given) | 4 |
| Investigatory Project and its Project Record + Viva Voce (Credit to the student’s work over the academic session may be given) | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
Also read: CBSE Class 12 Biology Deleted Syllabus 2026
CBSE Class 12 Biology Question Paper Pattern 2025-26
For the academic year 2025-26, there will be more Competency-based questions in the form of MCQs, case-based questions, source-based questions, or any other types. While the short answer/long answer type questions will be of 30%. Below given is the CBSE Class 12 Biology Paper Design that presents an elaborate discussion on the aspects based on which students are assessed.| Particulars | Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Demonstrate Knowledge and Understanding
State, name, list, identify, define, suggest, describe, outline, summarize, etc. | 50% |
|
Application of Knowledge/Concepts
Calculate, illustrate, show, adapt, explain, distinguish, etc. | 30% |
|
Analyze, Evaluate, and Create
Interpret, analyse, compare, contrast, examine, evaluate, discuss, construct, etc | 20% |
Also read: CBSE Class 12 Result 2026
CBSE Class 12 Biology Marking Scheme 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Biology question paper will include MCQs, very short answer, short answer, and long answer questions. All questions will be compulsory. Students can refer to the table below to check the marking scheme of CBSE 12th Biology exam 2026. The same marking scheme will be followed in the upcoming CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam 2026.| Section | Type of Question | No of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)/ Assertion-Reasoning | 16 | 1 x 16 = 16 |
| B | Short Answer Questions | 5 | 2 x 5 = 10 |
| C | Short Answer Questions | 7 | 3 x 7 = 21 |
| D | Case-based/Source-based/Passage-based/Integrated Assessment Questions | 2 | 4 x 2 = 8 |
| E | Long Answer Questions | 3 | 5 x 3 = 15 |
| -- | TOTAL | -- | 70 |
| Practical | |||
| 1 | Identification/Familiarity with the apparatus | -- | 5 |
| 2 | Written test (Based on given/prescribed practicals) | -- | 10 |
| 3 | Practical Records | -- | 5 |
| 4 | Viva | -- | 10 |
| -- | TOTAL | -- | 30 |
CBSE 12th Biology Unit-Wise Marking Scheme 2026
The CBSE Class 12 Biology Unit-Wise Marking Scheme 2026 divides the 70-mark theory paper into five main units. Genetics and Evolution carries the highest weightage of 20%, followed by Reproduction, which accounts for 16%. Biology and Human Welfare and Biotechnology and Its Applications contribute 12% each, while Ecology and Environment make up the remaining 10%. Knowing how the marks are distributed helps you plan your studies more effectively. You can focus extra time on the units that carry more marks while still covering the rest of the syllabus thoroughly. Understanding this marking scheme makes exam preparation more organised and ensures that your efforts are directed toward the topics that matter most. Here’s a quick look at the CBSE Class 12 Biology Unit-Wise Marking Scheme 2026.Unit | Title | Chapters | Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|
VI | Reproduction | Chapter 2: Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants Chapter 3: Human Reproduction Chapter 4: Reproductive Health | 16% |
VII | Genetics and Evolution | Chapter 5: Principles of Inheritance and Variation Chapter 6: Molecular Basis of Inheritance | 20% |
VIII | Biology and Human Welfare | Chapter 8: Human Health and Diseases Chapter 10: Microbes in Human Welfare Microbes in food processing, industrial production, sewage treatment, energy generation and microbes as bio-control agents and bio-fertilizers. Antibiotics; production and judicious use. | 12% |
IX | Biotechnology and its application | Chapter 11: Biotechnology - Principles and Processes Chapter 12: Biotechnology and its Applications | 12% |
X | Ecology and Environment | Chapter 13: Organisms and Populations Chapter 14: Ecosystem Chapter 15: Biodiversity and its Conservation | 10% |
How to Use CBSE 12th Biology Exam Pattern 2026?
Understanding the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam pattern is important, but knowing how to use it strategically can make a big difference in your preparation and final score. Here’s how you can make the most of the CBSE 12th Biology Exam Pattern 2026:- Prioritise high-weightage units: Focus more on topics like Genetics and Evolution (20%) and Reproduction (16%), as these carry the most marks
- Familiarise yourself with the paper structure: The exam is divided into Sections A to E , so practice solving previous year question papers and CBSE Class 12 Biology Sample Papers in this format. This will help you get comfortable with different types of questions—MCQs, case-based, short, and long answers.
- Manage your time wisely: Plan how much time to spend on each section. It’s a good idea to devote more time to long and case-based questions and less to multiple-choice or very short questions.
- Prepare for internal choices: Around 33% of the paper includes internal choices, so don’t rely on last-minute selection. Practice both alternatives during preparation and attempt the one you feel most confident about in the exam.
Students of CBSE Class 12 science stream must complete the CBSE Class 12 Biology syllabus 2025-26 beforehand so that they can get enough time for solving CBSE Class 12 previous year question paper .
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FAQs
You can find the CBSE Class 12 Biology exam pattern 2024-25 on the official website of CBSE, cbse.nic.in. You can also access the CBSE Class 12 Biology blueprint on this page.
Yes, the CBSE Board has revised and released the CBSE Class 12 Biology Exam Pattern for the upcoming academic session 2024-25 in April 2024.
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