SyllabusTheory, practical and internal marks
No CBSE subject is examined by the written paper alone. Between a fifth and a third of the marks are earned in the laboratory or in school during the year.
The patterns in the 2026-27 files
| Subject | Written paper | Other marks |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 Mathematics | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
| Class 10 Science | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
| Class 10 Social Science | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
| Class 10 English Language and Literature | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
| Class 12 Physics | 70 | Practical 30 |
| Class 12 Chemistry | 70 | Practical 30 |
| Class 12 Biology | 70 | Practical 30 |
| Class 12 Mathematics | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
| Class 12 Accountancy | 80 | Project work 20 |
| Class 12 Business Studies | 80 | Project work (one project) 20 |
| Class 12 Economics | 80 | Project work 20 |
| Class 12 English Core | 80 | Internal assessment 20 |
Class 10: 80 + 20
In the class 10 subjects we read, the written paper is 80 marks and internal assessment 20. The Mathematics file splits the 20 as pen and paper test with multiple assessment 10, portfolio 5 and lab practical 5. Science and Social Science split it into four fives: periodic assessment, multiple assessment, portfolio and subject enrichment. In Science the subject enrichment is practical work; in Social Science it is project work.
Class 12 sciences: 70 + 30
Physics, Chemistry and Biology have a 70-mark theory paper and a 30-mark practical examination. The files give the division of the 30. In Physics: two experiments at 7 marks each, the practical record 5, one activity 3, the investigatory project 3 and the viva 5. In Chemistry: volumetric analysis 8, salt analysis 8, a content based experiment 6, project work 4, and class record with viva 4.
Class 12 commerce and others: 80 + 20
Accountancy, Business Studies and Economics have an 80-mark paper and 20 marks for a project. In Accountancy the 20 is divided as project file 12 and viva voce 8. Mathematics has 20 marks of internal assessment, and English Core has 10 for listening and speaking and 10 for project work.
Why the other marks matter so much
They are the most certain marks in the subject. A student who keeps the practical record complete, does the project properly and attends the school tests can expect to score well in this part, and it is decided before the Board paper is written. Twenty marks secured here mean that a target of 90 overall needs 70 out of 80 in the paper, not 90 out of 100.
Passing
CBSE's bye-laws set the pass mark at 33 percent in each subject, and for class 12 subjects with practical work they require 33 percent separately in theory and in practical. The details, with the source, are on our sister site: CBSE pass marks and grades.
What to do in school
- Find out at the start of the year how your school will award each component and on which dates.
- Keep the practical file, project and portfolio up to date. Catching up in January is hard.
- Treat periodic tests as real examinations. They carry marks and they show what needs work.
- For a project, read the guidelines in the subject file. They say what the file must contain and how the viva is conducted.
Always check the official file. This page is a summary of the CBSE curriculum for 2026-27, made from the subject file on cbseacademic.nic.in, which we read on 12 November 2026. CBSE can revise a syllabus by circular during the year. Before an examination, download the current file from the official site. This is an independent site, not connected with CBSE.