CBSE Class 12 Physics Sample Paper 2026–27: Official Paper and Marking Scheme

Download the official paper and marking scheme

CBSE Class 12 · Physics (042) · Academic session 2026–27. Both links below open the official CBSE PDFs. Save the marking scheme too, but keep it closed while you attempt the paper.

What’s in the paper?

The paper has 33 questions across five sections. All sections are compulsory; together they add up to 70 marks.

• Time allowed: three hours. Calculators are not allowed.
• There is no overall choice. Internal choices appear in two Section B questions, one Section C question and all three Section E questions. Attempt one alternative in each of these questions.

Swipe across the table to see all columns.

How to attempt it at home

1. 1

   Choose a quiet three-hour slot

   Keep paper, pens and the printed question paper ready. Follow the instructions on the first page.

2. 2

   Write the steps you would show in the exam

   For calculations, show the equation, substitutions and final answer with units. Label diagrams and state directions or sign conventions where needed.

3. 3

   Keep track of unfinished questions

   Put a small mark beside a question if you get stuck or spend too long on it. Continue with other questions and return if time allows.

4. 4

   Stop when the time is up

   Keep any later corrections separate from your timed answers. Then open the marking scheme and review your attempt.

How to check your answers

Compare each answer with the matching question in CBSE’s marking scheme. Use its mark allocations for the steps you actually wrote. If you used a different method and are unsure how to mark it, ask your teacher.

For a missed question, find the first missing or incorrect step. Write down what went wrong and choose one correction from the table below.

Example: find where your answer went wrong

Suppose an ideal 12 V supply is connected to 4 Ω and 8 Ω resistors in series. You started with the parallel-resistance equation. The first mistake was choosing the wrong equation—not the arithmetic that came after it.

1. 1

   Check how the resistors are connected

   They are in one path, so the same current passes through both. Add their resistances.

   $R = 4 + 8 = 12\,\Omega$
2. 2

   Find the current

   Use the supply voltage and the total resistance.

   $I = \frac{V}{R} = \frac{12}{12} = 1\,\mathrm{A}$
3. 3

   Check the voltage drops

   The drops across the resistors are 4 V and 8 V. Their sum is the 12 V supply, which is a useful check.

Practise a topic you found difficult

Choose the topic that matches a mistake in your paper. Each guide has an example, hints and questions you can try on your own.

Print your review checklist

Use the worksheet to keep your missed questions and next practice together. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser.

1. 1

   Note the mistake

   Write the question number, marks lost and the first step you need to correct.

2. 2

   Redo the missed question

   Review the idea, close the solution and try the question again. Keep your new working beside the first attempt.

3. 3

   Try a different question later

   Choose another question on the same idea and attempt it without notes. Record whether you still needed help.