CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers 2026-27
Not many students expect this, but the Class 12 History paper gives almost a quarter of its marks (20 out of 100) to a single internal project, and another 5 theory marks to a map question that has nothing to do with essay writing at all. That is 25 marks decided well before you sit for the three-hour exam, and most students barely plan for it.
Below, you will find our CBSE Class 12 History sample papers for 2026-27, along with the exam pattern, chapter weightage and preparation tips you need. These are not official CBSE sample papers: they are practice papers built to match the current blueprint closely, with full solutions and marking schemes, so you can time yourself properly before the board exam.
History is a scoring subject once you know the pattern. Long-answer questions in Section C carry 8 marks each and reward structured, point-wise answers over long paragraphs. Source-based questions in Section D test comprehension more than memory. Practise with real exam-style papers, and check your answers against the given solutions before exam day.
CBSE Class 12 History Exam Pattern 2026-27
History (Code 027) carries 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for internal project work, for a total of 100 marks. The theory paper has five sections, from objective-type questions to a map-based question.
Section | Type of Question | No. of Questions | Marks |
A | Objective type (MCQ) | 21 | 21 |
B | Short Answer (3 marks each) | 6 | 18 |
C | Long Answer (8 marks each) | 3 | 24 |
D | Source-based (4 marks each) | 3 | 12 |
E | Map-based | 1 | 5 |
- | Theory Total | 34 | 80 |
- | Project Work (internal) | - | 20 |
- | Grand Total | - | 100 |
Note: The theory paper is divided into three parts (Part I, II and III), each carrying 25 marks, plus 5 marks for the map question. There is no overall choice, but a few questions carry an internal choice.
Download CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers 2026-27
Each sample paper below includes the full question paper and marking scheme in a single PDF, based on the current CBSE blueprint.
Sample Paper | What it Covers | Download Link |
Sample Paper 1 | All three parts of the syllabus, with map questions on Harappan sites, early cities, Buddhist sites and the Revolt of 1857 | |
Sample Paper 2 | All three parts, with a focus on Gupta-era sources, Vijayanagara temples, Mughal revenue administration and colonial policy | |
Sample Paper 3 | All three parts, with questions on Harappan craft production, Dharmashastra social norms, Vijayanagara architecture and the national movement |
CBSE Class 12 History Theme-wise Weightage 2026-27
The theory paper is organised into three parts of 25 marks each, covering four themes per part, plus a 5-mark map question.
Part | Themes | Marks |
Part I | 1. Bricks, Beads and Bones (Harappan Civilisation) 2. Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States and Economies) 3. Kinship, Caste and Class (Early Societies) 4. Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Cultural Developments) | 25 |
Part II | 5. Through the Eyes of Travellers (Perceptions of Society) 6. Bhakti-Sufi Traditions 7. An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagara 8. Peasants, Zamindars and the State (Mughal Empire) | 25 |
Part III | 9. Colonialism and the Countryside 10. Rebels and the Raj (1857 Revolt) 11. Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement 12. Framing the Constitution | 25 |
- | Map work (based on the themes above) | 5 |
Competency-wise Distribution of Marks
The CBSE Question Paper Design also breaks marks down by the type of thinking skill each question tests. This tells you where to focus your practice.
Competency | Marks | Percentage |
Remembering and Understanding | 39 | 48.75% |
Applying and Analysing | 24 | 30% |
Evaluating and Creating | 12 | 15% |
Map skills | 5 | 6.25% |
Nearly half the paper still rewards solid recall and clear understanding of the chapters, so a strong first read of the NCERT textbook goes a long way before you move to practice papers.
How to Prepare for CBSE Class 12 History
● Read each NCERT chapter for its four parts: the overview, the current state of research, how the evidence was gathered, and the primary source extract. These map directly to how source-based questions are framed.
● Make a one-page timeline for each part of the syllabus (Harappan to Guptas; medieval travellers to Mughals; colonial rule to the Constitution), so you never lose track of chronology under exam pressure.
● Practise map work every week, not just before the exam. Learn the exact places listed in the syllabus map list for each part, not just the ones that appeared in last year's paper.
● For long-answer questions, write in short numbered points rather than flowing paragraphs: examiners award marks point by point, and this style is faster to write in the exam hall too.
● Revise the primary source extracts given in each NCERT chapter closely, since source-based questions often draw directly on the exact passages printed in the textbook.
● Keep a running list of historians' names and their specific arguments (for example, on Mahabharata redaction or the segmentary state debate), as these appear often in long-answer questions.
Tips to Score Well in Class 12 History
● Attempt Section A (MCQs) first and quickly, as these are worth 21 marks and should not eat into the time you need for long answers.
● In assertion-reason questions, check the Assertion and Reason separately before deciding whether the Reason truly explains the Assertion.
● For map questions, write place names clearly and only where you are confident. A wrong label loses marks, but a blank space rarely does.
● Answer source-based sub-questions in the order given; the sub-questions are usually sequenced from easier to more analytical.
● Don't skip your project file. It is worth 20 marks and is often finished carelessly in the last week, even though it can be prepared steadily through the year.
● In long-answer questions, always end with a short concluding line: it signals to the examiner that your answer is complete and organised.
Prescribed Books for CBSE Class 12 History
● Themes in Indian History, Part I (NCERT)
● Themes in Indian History, Part II (NCERT)
● Themes in Indian History, Part III (NCERT)
These three NCERT textbooks together cover all 12 themes prescribed for the Class 12 board exam, and every source-based question in the exam is drawn from passages printed in these books.
Project Work (Internal Assessment)
The 20-mark project is assessed across the year in four stages: initiation/synopsis (6 marks), planning and data collection (5 marks), analysis and conclusion (5 marks), and a final viva-voce (4 marks). Students choose one topic from a list of 15-20 given by their teacher, working individually or in small groups, and the finished project file must be handwritten and based on original research using a mix of primary and secondary sources.
Popular topics include studies of the Harappan civilisation, the Bhakti movement, Gandhian philosophy, and comparative studies of Mughal and Vijayanagara architecture, but any well-researched, clearly structured topic connected to the syllabus themes works well.
FAQs on CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers 2026-27
How many questions are there in the CBSE Class 12 History board exam?
There are 34 questions in total, spread across five sections (A to E), covering objective, short answer, long answer, source-based and map-based questions.
How many marks is the History project worth in Class 12?
The internal project is worth 20 marks out of the total 100, with the remaining 80 marks for the theory exam.
Is there a choice in the CBSE Class 12 History paper?
There is no overall choice, but a few short answer and long answer questions include an internal choice, where only one of the two options should be attempted.
What comes in the map-based question in History?
The map question asks students to locate and label a few places on a political outline map of India, based on the places listed in the syllabus for each part, and is worth 5 marks.
How should I revise for source-based questions?
Go through the primary source extracts given at the end of each NCERT chapter closely, since these questions are usually based directly on those passages.
Are these official CBSE sample papers?
No. These are practice papers built to closely follow the current CBSE blueprint and marking scheme, created to help students revise and self-assess before the board exam.
Do these sample papers include answer keys?
Yes, each sample paper PDF includes the full question paper followed by a detailed marking scheme with model answers.
How many themes are there in the Class 12 History syllabus?
There are 12 themes in total, divided equally across three parts of the NCERT textbook, with 25 marks assigned to each part.