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Check CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus and Exam Pattern Here
September 14, 2024
Overview: Discover the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus for both the Core and Elective streams, including major changes and updates for 2024-25. Discover the exam pattern, preparation tips, and the significance of English in your academic journey.
When studying for exams, students ignore the language subjects and concentrate on the main subjects. However, language subjects have a similar weightage as any other subject.
English is a scoring subject in CBSE Class 12 that will assist students in improving their total percentage if they prepare properly.
Students are encouraged to review the entire English syllabus CBSE class 12 before beginning their preparations to guarantee a thorough understanding.
CBSE Class 12 English Exam Highlights 2025
For CBSE Class 12 board students, English is separated into two sections: English Core and English Elective.
The CBSE board prescribes the CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 English for both Core and Elective, which provides crucial information about each component's course structure and mark distribution.
The CBSE class 12 English syllabus will inform students about the topics they will cover in English over the academic year.
Key changes in the syllabus:
- Enhanced focus on critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Addition of new topics, such as journalism and mass communication.
- Reduction of some topics, such as linguistics.
- high emphasis on English as a medium of communication.
Read More: CBSE Class 12 English Important Questions
CBSE Class 12 Exam Pattern 2025
CBSE exam pattern for class 12 2024-25 highlights can be checked from the table below:
| Particulars | Details |
| Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education |
| Question Paper Pattern | MCQs - 20% |
| Competency-based questions in the form of case-based questions, source-based questions, or any other types - 30% | |
| Short answer/long answer type questions- 50% | |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Medium | English / Hindi (Note: Regional languages are optional language exams for candidates and will not be used as the main language.) |
| Mode | Offline |
| Number of subjects | 5 or 6 (as elected by the student) |
| Maximum Marks | 80 marks theory + 20 marks Project works for Commerce subjects (Accountancy, Business Studies & Economics) |
| 80 marks for theory + 30 marks for practical for Physics, Chemistry & Biology | |
| 80 marks Maths written exam + 20 marks internal assessment | |
| Passing marks for each subject | 33% |
| Passing marks for the overall exam | Aggregate 33% |
Read More: CBSE Class 12 English Writing Formats
Detailed Look at CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2025
Section A: Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage
- One unseen passage to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis and inference. Vocabulary assessment will also be assessed via inference. The passage may be factual, descriptive or literary.
- One unseen case-based factual passage with verbal/visual inputs like statistical data, charts etc., to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference and evaluation.
Note: The combined word limit for both passages will be 700-750 words.
Multiple Choice / Objective Type Questions and Short Answer type Questions (to be answered in 40-50 words) will be asked.
Read More: CBSE Divides Academic Year into Two Sessions
Section B: Creative Writing Skills
| Writing Task | Options | Word Limit | Marks |
| Notice | 1 out of 2 | Up to 50 words | 4 marks |
| Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply | 1 out of 2 | Up to 50 words | 4 marks |
| Letters (Job application with biodata, Letters to the editor) | 1 out of 2 | 120-150 words | 5 marks |
| Article/Report Writing (descriptive and analytical) | 1 out of 2 | 120-150 words | 5 marks |
Section C: Literature Textbook and Supplementary Reading Text
This section will include various assessment items, including Multiple-Choice Questions, Objective-Type Questions, short answer questions, and longer answer questions to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and extrapolation beyond the text.
| Question Type | Options | Focus | Word Limit | Marks |
| Poetry extract from Flamingo | 1 out of 2 | Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, and appreciation | N/A | 6 marks |
| Prose extract from Vistas | 1 out of 2 | Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation | N/A | 4 marks |
| Prose extract from Flamingo | 1 out of 2 | Comprehension, interpretation, analysis, inference, and evaluation | N/A | 6 marks |
| Short answer type questions (from Prose and Poetry in Flamingo) | 5 out of 6 | Inferential responses through critical thinking | 40-50 words each | 10 marks (5x2) |
| Short answer type questions (from Prose in Vistas) | 2 out of 3 | Inferential responses through critical thinking | 40-50 words each | 4 marks (2x2) |
| Long answer type question (from Prose/Poetry in Flamingo) | 1 out of 2 | Analytical and evaluative response based on incidents, themes, passages, or events | 120-150 words | 5 marks |
| Long answer type question (from Vistas) | 1 out of 2 | Global comprehension and extrapolation beyond the text, with analytical and evaluative responses | 120-150 words | 5 marks |
Books And Chapters for CBSE Class 12 English
Flamingo: English Reader published by NCERT, New Delhi for CBSE Class 12
| Flamingo: English Reader | |
| Prose | Author |
| The Last Lesson | Alphonse Daudet |
| Lost Spring | Anees Jung |
| Deep Water | William Douglas |
| The Rattrap | Selma Lagerlof |
| Indigo | Louis Fischer |
| Poets and Pancakes | Amal Rajan |
| The Interview | G. P. Desani |
| Going Places | A. R. Barton |
| Poetry | - |
| My Mother at Sixty-Six | Kamala Das |
| Keeping Quiet | Pablo Neruda |
| A Thing of Beauty | John Keats |
| A Roadside Stand | Robert Frost |
| Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers | Adrienne Rich |
Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by NCERT, New Delhi for CBSE Class 12
| Vistas: Supplementary Reader | |
| Prose | Author |
| The Third Level | Jack Finney |
| The Tiger King | Kalki Krishnamurthy |
| Journey to the End of the Earth | Tishani Doshi |
| The Enemy | Pearl S. Buck |
| On the Face of It | Susan Hill |
| Memories of Childhood | M. K. Gandhi |
| The Cutting of My Long Hair | Lakshmi Prasad |
| We Too are Human Beings | Mrs. M. K. Gandhi |
CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 English Elective 2024-25
The CBSE Class 12 Syllabus for English Elective is given below
Section A: Reading Comprehension – 20 Marks
This section will have two unseen passages and a poem.
Section B:
The syllabus of English grammar for class 12 CBSE is as follows:
- Applied Grammar – 8 Marks
- Creative Writing – 20 Marks
Section C:
This section will include various assessment items, including Multiple-Choice Questions, Objective-Type Questions, Short-Answer Questions, and Long-Answer Questions, to assess comprehension, analysis, interpretation, and extrapolation beyond the text.
- Textbook – 22 Marks
- Fiction – 10 Marks
Seminar – 20 Marks
Students are also advised to go through the CBSE class 12 English term 1 syllabus and the CBSE class 12 English term 2 syllabus separately to prepare accordingly.
CBSE Class 12 Preparation Tips
Here are some CBSE class 12 English preparation tips that can assist students in effectively preparing for their CBSE class 12 exams:
- Develop and adhere to a study schedule. Divide the CBSE class 12 English language syllabus into smaller sections and allocate adequate time to each.
- Arrange your studies based on the importance of each chapter within the syllabus.
- Place greater emphasis on chapters with a higher weightage in terms of marks.
- Utilize previous year's question papers to gain insight into the exam pattern and question types and enhance time management skills.
- Engage in practising sample papers regularly.
- Incorporate regular breaks between study sessions to relax and recharge, enhancing focus and concentration.
- Consistently review to reinforce understanding of concepts and information.
- Make and frequently revise your notes.
- Take care of your physical and mental well-being by ensuring adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and regular exercise. These habits can help reduce stress levels and improve concentration.
- Don't hesitate to seek assistance from your teachers, mentors, or peers. They can provide valuable guidance and support.
Read More: CBSE Class 12 English Preparation Tips and Tricks
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus is critical for academic achievement.
- With current reforms emphasizing critical thinking and communication, it is crucial to approach English courses seriously.
- Thoroughly examining the curriculum, focusing on essential areas, and practising with a strategic plan cannot be overstated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CBSE Class 12 English syllabus, and why is it important?
Are there separate syllabi for English Core and English Elective in Class 12 CBSE?
How can I prepare effectively for the class 12 English board exam based on this syllabus?
What is the weightage of different sections in the CBSE Class 12 English exam pattern?
How many subjects can I choose for the CBSE Class 12 exam, and what's the passing criterion?
Are there any specific tips for preparing for English compared to other subjects?