CBSE Class 12 English Core Previous Year Question Papers (2022–2026)
Download every CBSE Class 12 English Core board paper from 2022–2026 as a free PDF, with the official CBSE marking scheme. Or practise all 213 questions online, one by one, with answers (136 have marking-scheme solutions).
Class 12 English Core board papers with marking schemes
Two sets per year from different CBSE regions. Question papers are published by CBSE; click a PDF to download it free.
| Paper | Questions | Free download | Answers | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board exam 2026 · Set 1/1/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2026 · Set 1/3/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2025 · Set 1/1/1 | 11 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2025 · Set 1/2/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2024 · Set 1/1/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2024 · Set 1/2/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2023 · Set 1/1/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2023 · Set 1/2/1 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Board exam 2022 · Set 1/2/1 · Term 2 | 6 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
Class 12 English Core sample paper 2026-27
CBSE released the 2026-27 Sample Question Paper on 21 September 2026 and confirmed there is no change in the question paper design for 2026-27. Practise it first: it shows exactly how your board paper will look.
| Paper | Questions | Free download | Answers | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sample paper 2026-27 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
Chapter-wise weightage (from 8 board papers)
Average marks each chapter carried per board paper. Start revision with the chapters at the top.
| Chapter | Share | Avg. marks per paper |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | 19.0 | |
| Writing Skills | 10.5 | |
| Grammar | 2.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 1.8 |
Most repeated English Core questions in CBSE board exams
These questions (or near-identical ones) appeared in more than one board exam year.
- Answer ANY TWO of the following three questions, in 40-50 words each : 2 × 2 = 4 (i) What is so ironical about Sam reaching the third level ? (i) What image of the Tiger King is revealed in the diamond ring episode ? doe…
Asked in 2024, 2025, 2026Literature5 marks - Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 – 50 words each : 22=4 (i) Why was Charley in ‘The Third Level’ keen to buy old currency ? (ii) The Maharaja, on the third birthday of the crown prince, gave him a s…
Asked in 2024, 2025, 2026General3 marks - Answer any two of the following three questions in 40 50 words each : 2 2=4 (i) Do you think the prediction made by the s (The Tiger King) (ii) d Zitkala-Sa to feel this way ? (Memories of Childhood) (iii) Tishani Doshi …
Asked in 2024, 2025, 2026Grammar2 marks - /3/1* 8 * P a g e 4. Attempt any one of the two, (a) or (b), in about 50 words. 14=4 (a) You are the President of Student Council of XYZ Public School, Hawapur. Your school is organising an Arts and Crafts Exhibition as…
Asked in 2024, 2025, 2026Writing Skills2 marks - /1/1-1 Page 19 P.T.O. 13. Answer any one of the following two questions in 120 150 words : 5 (a) Dr. Sadao is disturbed and in a dilemma since he has decided to help the enemy soldier. Describe his conflict and the chall…
Asked in 2024, 2025Grammar5 marks - Answer ANY ONE of the following questions, in 120-150 words : 1 ×5= 5 (A) Why did Dr. Sadao treat the American soldier, even though it was an unpatriotic act ? Describe the difficulties faced by Dr. Sadao when he decided…
Asked in 2024, 2025Literature5 marks - /1/1-1 Page 7 P.T.O. 4. Attempt any one of the two, (a) or (b), in about 50 words. 4 (a) You are the Student Head, Cultural Affairs Club at Newton Public School. The school is holding its annual function on Saturday, Apr…
Asked in 2024, 2026Writing Skills4 marks
CBSE additional practice papers for Class 12 English Core
| Paper | Questions | Free download | Answers | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional practice paper 2023-24 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Additional practice paper 2023-24 · Set 2 | 13 | Question paper PDF | Marking scheme PDF | Practise online |
| Additional practice paper 2021-22 | 60 | Question paper PDF | Not published | Practise online |
| Additional practice paper 2021-22 | 6 | Question paper PDF | Not published | Practise online |
Frequently asked questions
Where can I download CBSE Class 12 English Core previous year question papers for free?
All CBSE Class 12 English Core board papers from 2022–2026 are listed on this page as free PDF downloads, together with the official marking schemes. You can also practise every question online in the free BoardPrep app.
Are marking schemes included with the Class 12 English Core papers?
Yes. The official CBSE marking scheme is linked next to each paper where CBSE has published it. In the app, 136 of the 213 questions show their marking-scheme answer.
Which chapters carry the most marks in Class 12 English Core?
In recent board papers the highest-weightage chapters were Literature, Writing Skills, Grammar. See the chapter-wise weightage table above for the full list.
Has the CBSE exam pattern changed for 2026-27?
No. CBSE's notification of 21 September 2026 says there is no change in the question paper design or assessment pattern for 2026-27, and the passing criteria stay the same as 2025-26.
Is BoardPrep free?
Yes. All papers, the question bank, the paper generator, mock tests and the Pattern Challenge are free to use.
Practise Class 12 English Core free
Question-wise practice with answers, chapter tests, board-pattern paper generator with PDF download, and a daily streak to keep you going.