The CBSE Class 12 Mathematics sample paper 2026 is the best way to practise the exact board pattern of 38 questions across five sections for 80 marks in 3 hours. Mathematics is a high-scoring subject when you practise enough full papers under timed conditions, because almost every question rewards a clear, step-by-step method. This page gives you a sample paper built on the latest 2025-26 design, the full exam pattern, chapter-wise weightage, a video walkthrough, and a four-week plan so you can target the units that carry the most marks.

Official website: cbse.gov.in

  • Exam body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with the official Maths sample paper on cbseacademic.nic.in.
  • Paper format: 38 compulsory questions in five sections, A to E, totalling 80 marks for the theory paper.
  • Marking: No negative marking, and step marks are awarded, so a clear method scores even when the final answer is off.
  • Mode and duration: Offline written exam, 3 hours, plus 15 minutes of reading time.
  • Choice: No overall choice, but about 33 percent internal choice within Sections B, C, D, and E.
  • Syllabus base: Rationalised NCERT Class 12 Mathematics for 2025-26 with more competency-based questions.
  • Internal assessment: 20 marks handled by your school, separate from the 80-mark theory paper.

CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Sample Papers 2026 - Download PDF

The sample paper below follows the exact CBSE Class 12 Maths blueprint, with the same five sections, the same mark split, and detailed step-by-step solutions. Solve it in one timed 3-hour sitting, then grade yourself against the solutions to see where you lose marks.

Sample Paper PDF Download
CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Sample Paper 1 Download PDF

You can download this practice paper free on Collegedunia, and you should also keep the official CBSE Maths sample question paper and marking scheme from cbse.gov.in open beside you so you can match your steps to the board's exact scoring keys.

CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Sample PaperCBSE Class 12 Maths Exam Pattern and Marks Distribution 2026

The CBSE Class 12 Mathematics theory paper carries 80 marks and runs for 3 hours, with the other 20 marks coming from internal assessment. The 38 questions are spread across five sections that rise in difficulty and mark value.

  • Section A: 20 questions of 1 mark each, with 18 multiple choice questions and 2 assertion-reason questions.
  • Section B: 5 very short answer questions of 2 marks each, with internal choice in 2 of them.
  • Section C: 6 short answer questions of 3 marks each, with internal choice in 3 of them.
  • Section D: 4 long answer questions of 5 marks each, with internal choice in 2 of them.
  • Section E: 3 case study questions of 4 marks each, each split into subparts, with internal choice in subparts of 2.
  • Total: 38 questions for 80 marks, no negative marking, no overall choice.

Key advice: Spend no more than 20 minutes on the 20 one-mark questions in Section A so you keep enough time for the five-mark long answers and the case studies in Sections D and E.

CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Papers - Why Recent Papers Matter Most

The Maths paper now includes assertion-reason questions and case-study problems that older sample papers never had, so practising on the current 2025-26 design matters more than ever. Recent papers also reflect the rationalised syllabus where some calculus and probability subtopics were trimmed.

  • Newer papers carry the latest weightage, so your calculus and algebra practice lines up with the marks on offer this year.
  • They include the competency-based and case-study formats that now make up a real share of the 80 marks.
  • They drop the deleted subtopics, so you do not waste time solving questions that can no longer be asked.

CBSE Class 12 Maths Chapter Wise Weightage - High Scoring Topics to Focus in Sample Papers

Calculus alone carries almost half the paper, so it should take the biggest share of your practice time. Use the table below to decide how many sample-paper questions to drill per unit and which traps to watch for.

Chapter / Unit Marks Difficulty What to Watch For
Calculus (Continuity, AOD, Integrals, Differential Equations) 35 High Definite integrals and differential equations carry the long-answer marks; practise substitution and by-parts heavily.
Vectors and Three Dimensional Geometry 14 Moderate Be careful with direction ratios, the shortest distance between lines, and dot versus cross product.
Algebra (Matrices and Determinants) 10 Moderate Inverse of a matrix and solving systems by matrix method are common five-mark questions.
Relations and Functions 8 Moderate One-one and onto proofs and inverse trigonometric functions need clean, justified steps.
Probability 8 Easy Conditional probability and Bayes theorem appear often, frequently as a case-study question.
Linear Programming 5 Easy Drawing the feasible region correctly and testing all corner points secures full marks quickly.

Note: Do not skip the low-weightage units like Linear Programming and Probability; they are among the easiest marks in the paper and finishing them fast leaves you more time for calculus.

CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Paper Video Solutions 2026 - Watch Before You Start Solving

Watching a full Maths sample-paper solution before you attempt your own copy shows you how a topper picks the internal choice, writes each step for full marks, and manages the clock across all five sections.

The video below solves the latest CBSE Class 12 Mathematics sample paper in detail, covering the section-wise approach for objective, short answer, long answer, and case-study questions.

Watch:

Source: CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Paper 2025-26 detailed solution, covering all five sections and the marking scheme (YouTube)

How to Use CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Papers to Clear in First Attempt

A Maths sample paper builds speed and accuracy only if you use it the right way. Follow these steps every time.

  • Solve the full paper in one 3-hour timed sitting, writing every step as you would in the real exam.
  • Grade yourself against the marking scheme and award step marks honestly so you know your true score.
  • Tag every wrong question to its chapter and revise that concept from the NCERT textbook the same day.
  • Drill the case-study and assertion-reason questions separately, since these formats confuse most students.
  • Keep a separate sheet of formulas you forgot during the paper and revise it before the next attempt.
  • Redo one full paper in the final week to lock in your speed before the board exam.

Step Marking and Presentation Strategy in CBSE Maths

CBSE Maths gives marks for the method, so a well-presented solution scores even with a small final-answer slip. How you write your steps directly changes your marks.

  • Write each formula, substitution, and simplification on its own line so the examiner can award step marks.
  • Box or underline the final answer and state the units or the correct option clearly.
  • For graph-based and Linear Programming questions, draw a clean labelled diagram and mark every corner point.
  • Attempt the long-answer questions you are confident about first to bank those five-mark blocks early.

CBSE Class 12 Maths 4 Week Preparation Plan Using Sample Papers

  • Week 1: Revise calculus and algebra thoroughly and solve one sample paper without strict timing to map your weak chapters.
  • Week 2: Practise section by section under time pressure, focusing on the five-mark long answers and the case studies in Section E.
  • Week 3: Solve two full timed papers, grade them against the marking scheme, and re-solve every wrong question the same day.
  • Week 4: Take one final full mock early in the week, then spend the last two days only on light revision of formulas and your error sheet.

FAQs on CBSE Class 12 Maths Sample Papers 2026

Ques.How many questions are in the CBSE Class 12 Maths sample paper 2026?

Ans.The CBSE Class 12 Maths paper has 38 compulsory questions spread across five sections, A to E, for a total of 80 marks, with about 33 percent internal choice.

Ques.Which chapter has the highest weightage in Class 12 Maths?

Ans.Calculus carries the highest weightage at 35 marks, covering continuity and differentiability, application of derivatives, integrals, and differential equations.

Ques.Is there negative marking in CBSE Class 12 Maths?

Ans.No, there is no negative marking, so attempt every question and write clear steps because step marks are awarded even for partially correct answers.

Ques.How much time should I give to Section A in the Maths paper?

Ans.Aim to finish the 20 one-mark questions of Section A within about 20 minutes so you keep enough time for the long-answer and case-study sections.

Ques.Where can I download CBSE Class 12 Maths sample paper 2026 PDF?

Ans.You can download the CBSE Class 12 Maths sample paper 2026 free from this Collegedunia page, and the official paper and marking scheme are available on cbse.gov.in.

Ques.Are case-study questions new in CBSE Class 12 Maths?

Ans.Case-study questions form Section E of the Maths paper, with 3 questions of 4 marks each; they test real-life application of concepts and are best practised on recent sample papers.