The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Class 10th and 12th board exam datesheet for 2026, setting the stage for the most crucial academic season of the year. As per the schedule, Class 12th exams will begin on February 26 and conclude on April 9, 2026, while the English Core paper is slated for March 12, 2026.
Among all subjects, English holds a unique significance, it is the only paper common to every stream, whether Science, Commerce, or Humanities. Beyond being a language subject, it tests a student’s analytical understanding, interpretative skills, and ability to express ideas with clarity and precision. In many ways, performance in English becomes a reflection of a student’s overall preparedness for higher education and professional pursuits.
English Class 12th marking scheme: Understanding the paper structure
According to CBSE’s official guidelines, the Class 12 English (Core) exam carries 80 marks, while 20 marks are reserved for internal assessment. The written paper is divided into three major sections, designed to assess comprehension, creativity, and literary insight.
Section A: Reading Skills (22 Marks)
This section tests students’ ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyse unseen passages and case-based extracts. It typically includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions based on factual, inferential, and vocabulary-based understanding.
Section B: Creative Writing Skills (18 Marks)
Students are evaluated on their ability to write notices, invitations, letters, and reports with proper format, coherence, and accuracy. The emphasis is on precision of expression, tone, and logical organisation.
Section C: Literature (40 Marks)
The literature section gauges a student’s interpretative and critical abilities through extracts, short-answer, and long-answer questions based on the prescribed NCERT texts—Flamingo and Vistas.
Section B: Sample questions (Creative writing skills)
Students must attempt any one of the following options for each question type, as shown in the sample paper released by CBSE:
Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. (1×4 = 4 marks)
A. You are Daljeet Kaur, a member of the Teen Well-Being Association, Chandigarh. The Association is planning to organise free pottery classes every Sunday morning at the community hall to encourage creativity among young residents. Write a notice in about 50 words, informing the residents of the event and inviting registrations. Include all the necessary details. Put your notice in a box.
OR
B. You are Keerthi, the Secretary of the Environmental Club of ABC School, Madurai. Your school is organising an ‘Eco-Fiesta’ to raise awareness about environmental issues. Draft a notice in about 50 words, inviting students to participate in various activities and setting up of food stalls. Include all the necessary details. Put your notice in a box.
4. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. (1×4 = 4 marks)
A. As the Cultural Secretary, Vignesh Kumar, of JKL School, Jamshedpur, draft an invitation for the Annual Music Festival, inviting Gajendra Hansda, an acclaimed local musician, to perform and judge the event. Provide the essential details in about 50 words.
OR
B. You are Bina Bedekar, residing at 45, Ashok Vihar, Nagpur. You have been invited to inaugurate a science exhibition at your alma mater, National Public School, Mumbai. Write a formal reply in about 50 words, accepting the invitation and expressing gratitude.
These questions test not just format and vocabulary but also students’ ability to communicate information crisply and effectively—a skill vital for both academic and professional success.
Candidates can click on the link provided here to download the CBSE Class 12th English core sample paper 2025.
Preparation tips: Mastering the English core exam
The right preparation can lead you to the desired results. Students can create a timetable for the exam and kickstart their preparations. Here are some tips that can help you to ace the exam.
Students must follow the tips mentioned here to remember the important exam day guidelines :
Among all subjects, English holds a unique significance, it is the only paper common to every stream, whether Science, Commerce, or Humanities. Beyond being a language subject, it tests a student’s analytical understanding, interpretative skills, and ability to express ideas with clarity and precision. In many ways, performance in English becomes a reflection of a student’s overall preparedness for higher education and professional pursuits.
English Class 12th marking scheme: Understanding the paper structure
According to CBSE’s official guidelines, the Class 12 English (Core) exam carries 80 marks, while 20 marks are reserved for internal assessment. The written paper is divided into three major sections, designed to assess comprehension, creativity, and literary insight.
Section A: Reading Skills (22 Marks)
This section tests students’ ability to comprehend, interpret, and analyse unseen passages and case-based extracts. It typically includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions based on factual, inferential, and vocabulary-based understanding.
Section B: Creative Writing Skills (18 Marks)
Students are evaluated on their ability to write notices, invitations, letters, and reports with proper format, coherence, and accuracy. The emphasis is on precision of expression, tone, and logical organisation.
Section C: Literature (40 Marks)
The literature section gauges a student’s interpretative and critical abilities through extracts, short-answer, and long-answer questions based on the prescribed NCERT texts—Flamingo and Vistas.
Section B: Sample questions (Creative writing skills)
Students must attempt any one of the following options for each question type, as shown in the sample paper released by CBSE:
Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. (1×4 = 4 marks)
A. You are Daljeet Kaur, a member of the Teen Well-Being Association, Chandigarh. The Association is planning to organise free pottery classes every Sunday morning at the community hall to encourage creativity among young residents. Write a notice in about 50 words, informing the residents of the event and inviting registrations. Include all the necessary details. Put your notice in a box.
OR
B. You are Keerthi, the Secretary of the Environmental Club of ABC School, Madurai. Your school is organising an ‘Eco-Fiesta’ to raise awareness about environmental issues. Draft a notice in about 50 words, inviting students to participate in various activities and setting up of food stalls. Include all the necessary details. Put your notice in a box.
4. Attempt any one of the two, (A) or (B), in about 50 words. (1×4 = 4 marks)
A. As the Cultural Secretary, Vignesh Kumar, of JKL School, Jamshedpur, draft an invitation for the Annual Music Festival, inviting Gajendra Hansda, an acclaimed local musician, to perform and judge the event. Provide the essential details in about 50 words.
OR
B. You are Bina Bedekar, residing at 45, Ashok Vihar, Nagpur. You have been invited to inaugurate a science exhibition at your alma mater, National Public School, Mumbai. Write a formal reply in about 50 words, accepting the invitation and expressing gratitude.
These questions test not just format and vocabulary but also students’ ability to communicate information crisply and effectively—a skill vital for both academic and professional success.
Candidates can click on the link provided here to download the CBSE Class 12th English core sample paper 2025.
Preparation tips: Mastering the English core exam
The right preparation can lead you to the desired results. Students can create a timetable for the exam and kickstart their preparations. Here are some tips that can help you to ace the exam.
- Start early and stay consistent: Begin preparation at least three months before the exam. Practice comprehension passages regularly to improve reading speed and inference skills.
- Enhance writing skills: Solve at least one writing task daily—letters, notices, or reports—to develop coherence, grammatical accuracy, and presentation.
- Focus on literature analysis: Go beyond rote learning—understand themes, character motivations, and authorial intent in Flamingo and Vistas.
- Time management practice: Simulate exam conditions with mock tests to strengthen time allocation between reading, writing, and literature sections.
- Revise format-based questions: Ensure clarity on prescribed CBSE formats for notices, invitations, and reports. Even minor format errors can result in mark deductions.
Students must follow the tips mentioned here to remember the important exam day guidelines :
- Reporting time: Reach the exam centre at least 45 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Admit card: Carry your CBSE admit card without fail—entry will not be allowed without it.
- Answer presentation: Use black or blue pen, underline key points, and maintain legibility throughout.
- Avoid overwriting: Write answers neatly and structure them logically with paragraph breaks.
- Electronic devices: Mobile phones, smartwatches, and any electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited.
- Mental readiness: Use the 15-minute reading time wisely—skim through the paper, plan your sequence, and stay calm.
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