The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially launched the sample paper and marking scheme for the Class 12 Geography subject for the 2025–26 academic session. This crucial release provides a clear roadmap for students gearing up for their board examinations, allowing them to access the official documents directly from the CBSE academic website.
Exam Date and Key Objectives
The board has officially announced that the CBSE Class 12 Geography examination will be held on February 26, 2026. The broader annual board exams are scheduled to begin from February 17, 2026. According to the board, the primary aim of the Geography paper is to evaluate students' analytical capabilities, depth of conceptual understanding, and proficiency in map-based knowledge.
Detailed Structure of the Geography Question Paper
As per the released CBSE sample paper, the Class 12 Geography paper, bearing the subject code 029, will be a 70-mark paper to be completed within a three-hour duration. The question paper is composed of 30 compulsory questions, systematically organized into five distinct sections.
The breakdown is as follows:
- Section A: This section contains multiple-choice questions, each worth 1 mark.
- Section B: It features source-based questions where each question carries 3 marks.
- Section C: This part comprises short answer-type questions. Each question is for 3 marks and requires an answer between 80 to 100 words.
- Section D: It includes long answer-type questions, each carrying 5 marks. Responses for these should be between 120 to 150 words.
- Section E: This final section is dedicated to map-based questions, with each question valued at 5 marks.
For visually impaired candidates, the board has provided alternate questions in place of those requiring visual interpretation, such as map work. While the entire paper is compulsory, internal choices are available in certain questions across all sections except Section A.
Why Practicing with Sample Papers is Essential
CBSE has emphasized the importance of using these official sample papers for effective preparation. Engaging with these papers helps candidates become thoroughly acquainted with the latest exam pattern, the structure of different questions, and the official marking scheme.
Regular practice is key to improving time management skills and answer-writing accuracy. Education experts often recommend that students attempting at least two full-length mock tests every week during their revision period can significantly boost their speed and build confidence for the final exam day.
How to Download the Sample Paper and Marking Scheme
Students can easily download the necessary documents by following these straightforward steps:
- Visit the official CBSE Academic website at https://cbseacademic.nic.in.
- On the homepage, locate and click on the ‘Sample Question Papers’ link, which is found under the ‘Curriculum’ section.
- From the list of classes, select ‘Class XII’.
- You will then see a list of subjects; choose ‘Geography (Code 029)’.
- Finally, click on the respective links to download both the sample question paper and the marking scheme in PDF format for your preparation.
CBSE's official guidance advises students to solve multiple sample papers before the final exams. This continuous practice helps in identifying strong areas and topics that need more focus, ensures better time control during the exam, and enhances overall presentation skills for a comprehensive understanding of the syllabus.
