The CBSE Class 12 English Board Examination 2026 is an important milestone for students, assessing their reading comprehension, writing ability, and understanding of prescribed literature. Conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on March 12, 2026, the exam was held in an offline mode and carried a total of 80 marks for the theory paper, with an additional 20 marks allotted for internal assessment. Students were given three hours to complete the paper.
Exam Pattern
The English Core question paper is broadly divided into three main sections:
• Reading Skills
• Creative Writing Skills
• Literature
The Reading section carried around 22 marks. It included unseen passages that assess students’ comprehension, interpretation, vocabulary, and analytical skills.
The Creative Writing section, typically worth around 18 marks, evaluated students’ ability to write in different formats. Questions may include notice writing, invitations, letters, reports, or article writing.
The Literature section forms the largest portion of the paper, with about 40 marks. It contained questions based on the prescribed textbooks and supplementary reading, testing students’ understanding of themes, characters, and literary devices.
As per the CBSE assessment pattern, the paper included a balanced mix of question types.
Approximately 50% of the questions were competency-based, such as MCQs, case-based questions, and source-based questions, which focused on application and conceptual understanding.
The remaining questions were short- and long-answer type, requiring students to interpret texts, explain ideas, and present analytical responses.
According to Ms Savita Panhotra, PGT, English, Apeejay School, Pitampura, the English Core (301) paper was well-structured and thoughtfully designed. “The two passages in the reading section were informative, engaging, and relevant, allowing students to demonstrate their comprehension and analytical abilities. The topics selected for the writing section were contemporary and relatable, enabling students to express their ideas meaningfully and creatively,” the educator shared.
The competency-based questions were appropriately chosen, encouraging critical thinking and application of knowledge, she added. “The paper also provided a fair opportunity for students to showcase their language skills and understanding of the subject. Overall, it is a balanced and well-crafted English question paper,” Ms Panhotra said in conclusion.