The CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 follows the same paper pattern as the main board exam — most theory papers carry 80 marks across five sections (A to E) covering MCQs, very short answers, short answers, long answers, and case-based questions, with no negative marking.
Students who failed in one or two subjects in the CBSE Class 12 Board Exam 2026 can appear for the compartment exam in July 2026. The paper pattern, syllabus, and marking scheme are identical to those used in the main board exam. Knowing the section-wise format and how marks are distributed helps you target preparation and manage time on exam day.
- Each subject carries 100 marks total — theory plus practical or internal assessment.
- Most theory papers are for 80 marks; Physics, Chemistry, and Biology theory papers carry 70 marks each.
- The question paper is divided into five sections (A to E) covering both objective and descriptive types.
- Internal choice is available in Sections B, C, D, and E — not in Section A.
- Duration is 3 hours for most subjects.
- Minimum passing marks: 33% in theory and 33% overall (theory + practical or internal assessment).
| Direct Link — CBSE Official Website: cbse.gov.in |
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 Overview
CBSE conducts the Class 12 Compartment Exam for students who failed in one or two subjects in the main board exam. The 2026 compartment exam is scheduled for July 2026. The exam uses the same syllabus, section structure, and marking scheme as the main board exam held in February–March 2026. Students who clear the compartment exam are awarded a passing D grade (33%) in the failed subject and become eligible for college admissions.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Exam Date | July 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Offline (Pen and Paper) |
| Duration | 3 hours (most subjects) |
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 (theory + practical or internal assessment) |
| Passing Marks | 33% in theory and 33% overall |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
Section-Wise Paper Pattern for CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026
The question paper is divided into five sections — A through E. The table below shows the standard section-wise format for 80-mark theory papers, applicable to Mathematics, English Core, Accountancy, Economics, and Humanities subjects.
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs and Assertion-Reasoning | 20 | 1 | 20 |
| B | Very Short Answer (VSA) | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| C | Short Answer (SA) | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| D | Long Answer (LA) | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| E | Case / Source / Passage-Based | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Total | — | — | — | 80 |
For Science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), the theory paper carries 70 marks with 30 marks allocated to practicals. The section counts are adjusted to fit the 70-mark total as shown below.
| Section | Question Type | Number of Questions | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs and Assertion-Reasoning | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| B | Very Short Answer (VSA) | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| C | Short Answer (SA) | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| D | Long Answer (LA) | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| E | Case-Based Questions | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Total | — | — | — | 70 |
Subject-Wise Marks Distribution
Every CBSE Class 12 subject carries 100 marks in total. The split between theory and practical or internal assessment varies by subject group. In the compartment exam, students re-appear for the theory component only — practical or internal assessment marks from the main board exam are carried forward unchanged.
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical / Internal Assessment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| Physics | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 100 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 (Internal Assessment) | 100 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
| History / Geography / Political Science | 80 | 20 (Project) | 100 |
Marking Scheme and Question Types
CBSE does not apply negative marking in Class 12 examinations. Wrong answers in MCQs or any other section do not result in a deduction. The marking scheme for each question type is as follows.
| Question Type | Marks per Question | Negative Marking | Internal Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQ (Section A) | 1 mark | None | No |
| Assertion-Reasoning (Section A) | 1 mark | None | No |
| Very Short Answer (Section B) | 2 marks | None | Yes (some questions) |
| Short Answer (Section C) | 3 marks | None | Yes |
| Long Answer (Section D) | 5 marks | None | Yes |
| Case / Source-Based (Section E) | 4 marks (with sub-parts) | None | Partial (within sub-parts) |
For Long Answer and Case-Based questions, CBSE uses a step-wise marking scheme. You earn marks for each correct step or sub-part even if the final answer is wrong. CBSE releases the official marking scheme document after the exam, which evaluators use to assess answer sheets uniformly across all exam centres.
Passing Criteria for CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026
To pass the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026, you must meet the minimum marks threshold in both the theory paper and the overall score.
| Component | Minimum Marks to Pass |
|---|---|
| Theory — 80-mark paper | 26 out of 80 (33%) |
| Theory — 70-mark paper (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) | 23 out of 70 (33%) |
| Overall (Theory + Practical or Internal Assessment) | 33 out of 100 (33%) |
Students who pass the compartment exam are awarded a D grade (33%) in the subject on their final marksheet, regardless of the actual marks scored. The result is updated on the CBSE marksheet and students become eligible for college admissions. Students who do not pass the compartment exam may appear as a private candidate in the next year’s Class 12 board exam for the failed subject.
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 FAQs
Ques. Is the paper pattern for CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 the same as the main board exam?
Ans. Yes. The CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 follows the exact same paper pattern, syllabus, and section-wise format as the main board exam held in February–March 2026.
Ques. How many sections are there in the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam paper?
Ans. The theory paper has five sections — Section A (MCQs and Assertion-Reasoning), Section B (Very Short Answer), Section C (Short Answer), Section D (Long Answer), and Section E (Case or Source-Based questions).
Ques. Is there negative marking in the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026?
Ans. No. CBSE does not apply negative marking in Class 12 papers. You will not lose marks for wrong or unattempted answers in any section.
Ques. How many marks are required to pass the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam?
Ans. You need a minimum of 33% in the theory paper and 33% overall. For an 80-mark theory paper that means at least 26 marks in theory, and at least 33 marks in total (theory plus practical or internal assessment).
Ques. Are practical or internal assessment marks re-evaluated in the compartment exam?
Ans. No. Students do not re-appear for practicals or internal assessment in the compartment exam. Marks obtained in these components during the main board exam are carried forward as-is to calculate the final total.
Ques. What grade is awarded after passing the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam?
Ans. Students who pass the compartment exam are awarded D grade (33%) in the subject on their official marksheet, regardless of the actual marks scored in the compartment exam.
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