The CBSE Class 12 Chemistry (043) marking scheme for 2026-27 carries 100 marks in total, with a 70-mark theory paper of 3 hours and 30 marks for practicals.

  • Theory paper: The paper has 33 questions in five sections (A to E), and internal choice is provided in the paper.
  • Highest weightage: Electrochemistry carries 9 marks, followed by Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids with 8 marks.
  • By understanding the weightage, students can focus more on high-mark chapters like Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, and Biomolecules.
  • Practical exam: The 30 marks are split into volumetric analysis (8), salt analysis (8), content-based experiment (6), project work (4) and class record and viva (4).
  • Pattern: CBSE has mentioned that there is no change in the question paper design and assessment pattern for 2026-27.

To score well in Chemistry, you should first understand the CBSE Chemistry Class 12 Weightage and chapter-wise marks distribution. Focus more on chapters with higher weightage like Electrochemistry, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Chemical Kinetics and Biomolecules to maximize scores.

Related Articles:

CBSE Chemistry Marking Scheme

Key Summary

  • The scheme below is based on the official 2026-27 sample question paper and the syllabus released by CBSE for the Class 12 Board Exam 2027.
  • CBSE has not given any chapter-wise weightage, and the theory paper has 10 units worth 70 marks.
  • The final board paper may differ in questions, but the section-wise structure is expected to follow the sample paper.
  • Section D case-based questions and Section E long answers carry sub-part marks, so each part should be answered.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026-27: Theory Paper Marking Scheme

The theory paper of 70 marks has 33 questions, and Section C carries the highest marks (21 marks).

  • Section A has 16 multiple-choice questions of 1 mark each, and it includes 4 Assertion-Reason questions (Q13 to Q16).
  • Section D has 2 case-based questions of 4 marks each, and Section E has 3 long answer questions of 5 marks each.
Section Question Type No. of Questions Marks per Question Total Marks
A Multiple Choice (including Assertion-Reason) 16 1 16
B Very Short Answer 5 2 10
C Short Answer 7 3 21
D Case Based 2 4 8
E Long Answer 3 5 15
Total 33 70

Ques. How many marks is the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry theory paper?

Ans. The theory paper is of 70 marks with a duration of 3 hours. The remaining 30 marks are for practicals, making the total 100 marks.

Ques. Are calculators allowed in the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry exam?

Ans. No, the official sample paper instructions say that log tables and calculators are not allowed. Students must be comfortable with calculations done by hand.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026-27: Unit-Wise Marks Distribution

Electrochemistry carries the maximum 9 marks, and the organic units (VI to X) together carry 33 marks, which is nearly half of the paper.

  • Physical chemistry units (Solutions, Electrochemistry and Chemical Kinetics) carry 23 marks.
  • Inorganic chemistry units (d- and f-Block Elements and Coordination Compounds) carry 14 marks.
Unit Unit Name Marks
Unit I Solutions 7
Unit II Electrochemistry 9
Unit III Chemical Kinetics 7
Unit IV d- and f-Block Elements 7
Unit V Coordination Compounds 7
Unit VI Haloalkanes and Haloarenes 6
Unit VII Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 6
Unit VIII Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids 8
Unit IX Amines 6
Unit X Biomolecules 7
Total 70

Ques. Which unit has the highest weightage in CBSE Class 12 Chemistry?

Ans. Electrochemistry has the highest weightage of 9 marks. Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids follows with 8 marks.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026-27: Question Paper Design

Remembering and understanding carries 40% of the marks, while application and analysis carry 30% each.

Skill Assessed Marks Weightage
Remembering and Understanding 28 40%
Applying 21 30%
Analysing, Evaluating and Creating 21 30%
Total 70 100%

Read More:

How Marks Are Split in the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Paper

The official sample paper shows the marks given to each part of a question, and most Section D and E answers are divided into sub-parts.

Question Marks Split of Marks (Official Sample Paper)
Section A (Q1 to Q16) 1 Full mark for the correct option
Section B (for example Q17) 2 Two parts of 1 + 1 marks
Section C (for example Q22) 3 Two parts of 1 + 2 marks
Section D (Q29 and Q30, case based) 4 Sub-parts of 1 + 1 + 2 marks
Section E (Q31 and Q32) 5 Parts of 3 + 2 marks (Q31) or five parts of 1 mark each (Q32)
  • Numericals: Show the formula, substitution and final answer with unit in questions such as the activation energy and Nernst equation problems.
  • Reactions and mechanisms: Write balanced equations and name the reaction wherever asked.

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Practical Marking Scheme (30 Marks)

The practical exam is of 30 marks, and volumetric analysis and salt analysis carry 8 marks each.

Component Marks
Volumetric Analysis 8
Salt Analysis 8
Content-Based Experiment 6
Project Work 4
Class Record and Viva 4
Total 30

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Marking Scheme Official PDFs: Last 3 Years

Students can download the official CBSE Class 12 Chemistry marking scheme from the links below:

Session Document Download Link
2026-27 CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Marking Scheme 2026-27 Download PDF | Official Page
2025-26 CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Marking Scheme 2025-26 Download PDF | Official Page
2024-25 CBSE Class 12 Chemistry Marking Scheme 2024-25 Download PDF | Official Page
Note: PDFs are published by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Links are updated as official documents are released.

FAQs

Ques. Where can I download the CBSE Class 12 Chemistry marking scheme 2026-27?

Ans. The marking scheme is available on cbseacademic.nic.in under the Class XII Sample Question Paper and Marking Scheme section for 2026-27. The direct PDF link is given in the table above.

Ques. What is the passing criteria for CBSE Class 12 Chemistry?

Ans. Students need a minimum of 33% in the subject, and 33% separately in theory and practical. Check the latest CBSE passing criteria notice for exact figures.

Ques. Does CBSE release an official answer key for Chemistry after the board exam?

Ans. CBSE does not generally release an official answer key right after the exam. Students can use the official sample paper marking scheme to understand how answers are evaluated.