CBSE Class 12 Psychology Answer Key 2026 (OUT) Live Updates: Solved Question Paper; Detailed Expert AnalysisCBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026 LIVE: The Central Board of Secondary Education has conducted the Class 12 Psychology exam 2026 on March 5, 2026, from 10.30 AM to 1.30 PM. As per the paper pattern, the total weightage of the CBSE Class 12 Psychology paper is 70 marks. As per the experts, the question paper for Psychology was at a moderate level of difficulty. Although questions were from the syllabus, some of the questions were tricky. Students have stated that the question paper was time-consuming. Check the detailed analysis here along with resolved unofficial answer key for all questions.
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Answer Key 2026
The detailed answer key for CBSE Class 12 Psychology 2026 is here:
| Question | Answer | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neha always scores well in school assessments and is appreciated.............. she most likely demonstrating? | Componential Intelligence | ||||||||||
| A teacher notices that one of her usually calm........... Which approach is the teacher following? | Situationisim | ||||||||||
| Rohan failed an important exam..........Which defence mechanism is Rohan using? | Rationalization | ||||||||||
| Meera always felt left out........According to Alder, this behaviour can be explained by: | Inferiority Complex | ||||||||||
| Ananya is known in school for honesty........According to Allport, this trait can be classified as: | Cardinal Trait | ||||||||||
| Which concept is based on Bandura's social learning theory? | Self-efficacy | ||||||||||
Match the following:
| 1-II, 2-III, 3-IV, 4-I | ||||||||||
|
Use the correct option at the appropriate place:
The white blood cells______ within the immune system identify and destroy foreign bodies______ such as viruses. | Leucocytes/ Antigens | ||||||||||
|
In the following question, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Read the Statements and choose the appropriate options:
Assertion (A): Creative visualisation helps in managing stress......... Reason (R): It is more effective when the mind is quite........ | Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation for Assertion (A). | ||||||||||
| _______ is characterised by widespread impairments in social interactions and communication skills, and stereotyped patterns of behaviour interests and activities. | Autism Spectrum Disorder | ||||||||||
| Your friend failed an important test.......Which quality are you demonstrating and why? | Empathy- because you are trying to understand your friend's feelings from their perspective. | ||||||||||
| A therapist working with children..... What psychological technique is being used here? | Token Economy | ||||||||||
|
According to the concept of balance proposed by Fritz Heider, imbalance is found when:
i. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative. ii. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are negative, and one side is positive. iii. Two sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive, and one side is negative. iv. All three sides of the P-O-X triangle are positive. | i and iii only | ||||||||||
| In an attitude change, when the change is in the same direction as the........., this is called: | Congruency |
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Quick Facts
Find out the quick facts regarding the CBSE Class 12 Psychology exam 2026 here in the following table:
Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam Date | March 5, 2026 |
Exam timing | 10.30 PM to 1.30 PM |
Number of Sections | 5 Sections A, B, C, D, and E |
Type of the questions | MCQs (including Assertion-Reason), Very short answer, short answer, long answer, and case-based/source-based |
Number of questions asked |
|
Marks Per Questions |
|
Total weightage |
|
Passing percentage | 33% |
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026 LIVE
10 50 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Projected Score Breakdown (Out of 70)
Based on initial analysis from students and subject experts, the expected scores for the CBSE Class 12 Psychology 2026 exam reflect a high-scoring trend due to the balanced nature of the paper. For High Achievers candidates, the expected score is 63 to 70 marks, and for Average scorers, the expected score is 45 to 62 marks.
09 50 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Subject-Expert Reviews
Subject experts described the paper as well-structured and concept-driven, with a difficulty level ranging from easy to moderate. They noted its strict adherence to the NCERT syllabus and CBSE blueprint. While MCQs were slightly tricky, the subjective questions effectively tested conceptual clarity, though the six-markers were considered lengthy in scoring.
08 50 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Students' Reviews
Students generally found the paper balanced and scoring, ranging from easy to moderate. While Section A (MCQs) was slightly tricky for some, most appreciated the direct questions from the NCERT. Many noted that the long-answer section was lengthy but manageable, focusing heavily on application-based scenarios and core psychological theories.
07 50 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
Section-wise Analysis for CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026
Section Question Type Feedback & Difficulty Section A MCQs (1-Mark) Mostly direct and focused on foundational concepts. Some students found a few questions slightly "tricky." Section B & C 2 & 3-Markers Straightforward questions testing recall and basic conceptual understanding. Section D 4-Markers Required deeper reasoning; focused on application-based scenarios. Section E Long Answer (6-Mark) Described as "approachable" but lengthy. Required well-structured and organised explanations. Section F Case-Based Manageable but required careful reading to connect theoretical concepts to real-life scenarios. 06 50 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
Major Highlights for CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026 Question Paper
- Overall Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
- Structure: Aligned with the rationalised syllabus and official sample papers.
- Nature of Questions: A balanced mix of direct (theory-based) and competency-based (application/HOTS) questions.
- Key Topics Featured: High weightage was given to Variations in Psychological Attributes, Self and Personality, and Psychological Disorders.
05 53 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026 Analysis
The CBSE Class 12 Psychology exam conducted on March 5, 2026, has been widely described by both students and subject experts as balanced, fair, and ranging from "easy to moderate" in difficulty. Most students found the paper manageable, noting that it adhered strictly to the NCERT syllabus and the official CBSE sample paper blueprint.
04 59 PM IST - 05 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Answer Key 2026 Available!
The solved Question Paper and detailed expert analysis is provided here for the reference of the candidates. Check the question and answers to know the unofficial answer key and accordingly predict their expected marks and analyse their performances. The official answer key will not be released and only results will be released by May 2026.
06 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
Strategic Tips for the 2026 Exam: Psychological Disorders
- Symptom Mapping. For the same, the candidates should create a table for each disorder with two columns: "Common Symptom" and "Diagnosis."
- DSM-5 (American) vs. ICD-10 (WHO).
- Don't confuse Delusions (false beliefs) with Hallucinations (false sensory perceptions).
06 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the models of Abnormality?
- Biological Model
- Cognitive
- Psychodynamic
- Diathesis-Stress Model
05 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the Top 3 Neurodevelopmental Disorders?
- ADHD, which means Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder means Difficulties in social communication.
- Intellectual Disability, which means deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning
05 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
Major Categories of Psychological Disorders
Anxiety Disorders - Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Phobias
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders - Somatic Symptom Disorder
- Conversion Disorder
- Illness Anxiety Disorder
Dissociative Disorders - Dissociative Amnesia
- Depersonalization/Derealization
- Dissociative Identity Disorder
Schizophrenia (The "Great Disrupter") - Positive Symptoms like Delusions and Hallucinations
- Negative Symptoms like Alogia, Avolition and Blunted affect.
05 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
The "4 Ds" of Abnormality from Psychological Disorders
Deviance: Different, extreme, unusual, or even bizarre.
Distress: Unpleasant and upsetting to the individual.
Dysfunction: Interfering with the person's ability to conduct daily activities.
Danger: To oneself or others.
04 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
Distinction between Selye and Lazarus
Selye Lazarus Physiological (Body) Cognitive (Mind/Appraisal) 04 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: The GAS "Stress-Check" Quiz (1/4)
Statement: Hans Selye's GAS model explains that our physical response to stress varies significantly depending on whether the stressor is a cold environment or a difficult exam.
Answer. False.
04 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: The GAS "Stress-Check" Quiz (1/3)
Ques. Statement: Psychosomatic disorders (like ulcers or hypertension) are most likely to develop during the Exhaustion stage.
Answer. True.
03 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: The GAS "Stress-Check" Quiz (1/2)
Statement: If the stressor continues for a long time, the person enters the Resistance stage, where the body makes an effort to cope.
Answer. True.
03 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: The GAS "Stress-Check" Quiz (1/1)
Ques. Statement: In the Alarm Reaction stage, the Parasympathetic Nervous System is activated to calm the body down.
Answer. False.
03 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: "Eustress" vs "Distress"
Eustress Distress Good stress to improve the performance level Bad stress that causes wear and tear on the body 02 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the top Stress Management Techniques?
- Relaxation Techniques for deep breathing and muscle relaxation.
- Biofeedback to supervise the physiological responses by using technology.
- Creative Visualization for picturing a peaceful scene to reduce anxiety.
- Cognitive Restructuring for replacing the negative thoughts with the positive ones.
02 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the types of Stress and Stressors (Meeting Life Changes)?
Type of Stress Features Environmental Stress Noise, pollution, crowding, or natural disasters Social Stress Breakups, the death of a loved one, or strained relationships Psychological Stress - Frustration
- Conflict
- Internal Pressure
02 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
Comparison of Humanistic vs. Psychodynamic
Feature Psychodynamic (Freud) Humanistic (Rogers/Maslow) View of Man Driven by dark, hidden impulses. Good and growth-oriented. Focus Past childhood traumas. The "Here and Now" and the Future. Determinism Deterministic (no free will). Emphasis on Free Will and Choice. Goal Resolve the unconscious conflict. Achieving Self-Actualization. 01 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the two pillars of Humanistic Approach?
- Carl Rogers: The Fully Functioning Person\
- Abraham Maslow: The Hierarchy of Needs
01 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Comparison Summary Table
Theorist Core Motivation Key Term to Use in Exam Jung Spiritual/Universal growth Collective Unconscious Adler Overcoming weakness Inferiority Complex Horney Social Security/Safety Basic Anxiety Sullivan Interpersonal relations Personifications Fromm Freedom and Belonging Social orientation 01 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Personality Structures
Component Principle Nature Role Id Pleasure Principle Instinctual/Amoral Demands immediate gratification. Ego Reality Principle Rational/Logical Mediates between the Id, the Superego, and Reality. Superego Perfection Principle Moral/Idealistic Represents societal values and conscience. 12 40 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
Trait vs. Type Approaches
Feature Type Approach Trait Approach Definition Categorizes people into broad "boxes." Focuses on specific characteristics. Flexibility "Either/Or" (You are either Type A or B) "More or Less" (You are on a spectrum) Theorists Sheldon, Hippocrates, Friedman Allport, Cattell, Eysenck 12 20 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: The "Self" Concepts
Concept Key Definition Focus Self-Esteem Value/Worth you assign to yourself. Evaluation Self-Efficacy Belief in your ability to succeed. Capability Self-Regulation Ability to monitor and control behavior. Control 12 00 PM IST - 04 Mar'26
List of High-Yield Case Based Model Questions for Section F (1/3)
Case 3: Personality Assessment
Scenario: A clinical psychologist wants to understand the unconscious conflicts of a patient who refuses to talk openly about their childhood. The psychologist decides to show the patient a series of 10 irregular inkblots and asks them to describe what they see.
Questions:
Identify the specific Assessment Technique being used.
Which category of personality assessment does this fall under (Self-report or Projective)?
What is the primary "Projective Hypothesis" behind such tests?
11 40 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
List of High-Yield Case Based Model Questions for Section F (1/2)
Case 2: The Trait Approach
Scenario: Anjali is described by her friends as someone who is always calm, even during exams. She is very social, loves going to parties, and is usually the leader in group projects. However, she sometimes lacks a bit of self-discipline when it comes to following a strict study schedule.
Questions:
Based on Eysenck’s Theory, which dimension would Anjali score high on?
Based on the Big Five Model (OCEAN), which trait does Anjali seem to score low on?
Define the term 'Trait' in the context of personality.
11 20 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
List of High-Yield Case Based Model Questions for Section F (1/1)
Case 1: The Defense Mechanism
Scenario: Rohan is a high school student who is very angry with his father for grounding him. Instead of arguing with his father, Rohan goes to his room and starts punching his pillow and kicking his football against the wall with extreme force.
Questions:
Identify the Defense Mechanism Rohan is using.
Which part of the personality (according to Freud) is responsible for this redirection of energy?
Briefly explain why the 'Ego' uses such mechanisms.
11 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Practice Case-Study Questions from Self and Personality chapter (1/3)
Ques. A student who is angry with a teacher starts yelling at his younger brother at home. Which defense mechanism is being illustrated here?
A. Reaction Formation
B. Projection
C. Displacement
D. Rationalization
Answer. Option C
10 40 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Practice Case-Study Questions from Self and Personality chapter (1/2)
Ques. Which component of Freud's personality structure operates on the 'Reality Principle' and acts as a mediator?
A. Ego
B. Libido
C. Id
D. Superego
Answer. Option A
10 20 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Practice Case-Study Questions from Self and Personality chapter (1/1)
Ques. Aman is very organized, dependable, and always finishes his assignments before the deadline. According to the Big Five Factors of personality, which trait does Aman score high on?
A. Agreeableness
B. Conscientiousness
C. Openness to Experience
D. Extraversion
Answer. Option B.
10 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Difference between Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy
Self-Esteem Self-Efficacy Your value/ worth Your belief in your ability to succeed in tasks 09 40 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Don't get confused between Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy.
- Don't swap Jung's ideas with Adler's
- Do not skip the small "box" items or case examples mentioned in the NCERT textbook
09 20 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Assertion Reason Practice Question (1/1)
Assertion (A): The Pass Model of Intelligence emphasizes that intelligence involves a combination of Attention, Simultaneous and Successive processing, and Planning.
Reason (R): According to this model, these processes operate on a knowledge base developed by the individual.
A. Both A & R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
B. A is true, but R is false
C. A is false, but R is true
D. Both A & R are true, but R is the correct explanation of A
Answer. Option A
09 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Strategy Tip: "The Time Rule
GAD: Must be 6 months+.
Major Depression: Must be 2 weeks+.
Schizophrenia: Must be 6 months+.
Panic Attack: Reaches peak intensity within minutes.
08 40 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Mock Case Study on Mood & Anxiety
Scenario: Sunita, a 30-year-old marketing professional, has been feeling "on edge" for the past seven months. She worries constantly about her job performance, her health, and her family's safety, even when there is no immediate threat. She finds it difficult to control these worries and often feels restless, easily fatigued, and has trouble concentrating at work. Additionally, for the last three weeks, Sunita has felt a deep sense of "emptiness." She has lost interest in her favorite hobby, gardening, and finds it extremely hard to get out of bed in the morning. She describes her mood as "constantly low" and has noticed a significant decrease in her appetite.
Questions:
Identify the Anxiety Disorder Sunita is likely experiencing based on the 7-month duration.
Identify the Mood Disorder indicated by her symptoms over the last three weeks.
Name two physical symptoms of anxiety mentioned in the text.
How would the Diathesis-Stress Model explain Sunita's current state if she had a family history of such conditions?
08 20 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Quick Tip for answering the Case Study Questions
Candidates should use the "Quote & Label" method if they identify the symptoms in a case study.
For instance: Quote "His roommates are spies" ------> Label: Delusion of Persecution.
08 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Mock Case Study
Scenario: Rohan, a 22-year-old college student, has become increasingly withdrawn over the last six months. He often claims that his roommates are "spies" sent by a rival university to steal his thoughts. During a conversation, he suddenly stops talking and stares at a blank wall, claiming he can hear a deep voice telling him he is "the chosen one." His speech has become fragmented and difficult to follow, often jumping from one unrelated topic to another. He has stopped bathing and shows almost no emotional response, even when hearing good or bad news.
Questions:
Identify the psychological disorder Rohan is likely suffering from.
Identify one Positive Symptom and one Negative Symptom mentioned in the case.
What is the specific type of Delusion Rohan is experiencing?
07 40 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Prejudice vs. Discrimination: Social Psychology
Prejudice Discrimination An attitude towards a group The behaviour/ action based on the prejudice 07 20 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Transference vs. Counter-transference
- Transference: The client projects emotions onto the therapist that they originally felt toward a significant person in their life (like a parent).
- Counter Transference: The therapist starts projecting their own unresolved feelings onto the client.
07 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the exam hall strategies?
- To answer the Section E case study, the candidates should first read the questions. It will help the candidates to filter the text for the right concepts or symptoms.
- It is better to underline the Psychological technical terms. It will make a good impression on the examiner.
- Do not spend more than 10minutes on Section A. It is wise to save more time for 6-mark questions.
06 45 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
Compliance vs. Conformity vs. Obedience
Concept Trigger Conformity Social Pressure Obedience A Command Compliance A Request 06 30 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the Top Three Psychological Comparison?
Particulars Type Approach Trait Approach Focus Categorize the people based on the specific characteristics Focus on the specific psychological attributes that exist on a continuum Flexibility Rigid Fluid, everyone has the trait just in different amounts 06 15 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
CBSE Class 12 Psychology Exam 2026: Pro Tips to Score High
- To answer the 4 and 6-mark questions, the candidates should always start with a formal definition and end with a real-life example.
- Even if the candidates are not asked, they should draw a flowchart for processes (For instance, the steps in the Stress cycle or Attitude change)
- Practice to identify the disorders from a paragraph description. Candidates should look for the "keywords" like hallucinations (Schizophrenia) or ritualistic behavior (OCD)
06 00 AM IST - 04 Mar'26
What are the high yield topics of Theories of Intelligence?
- Sternberg’s Triarchic Theory
- Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences
- PASS model.
