CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Papers 2026-27
Psychology is one of the few Class 12 subjects where nearly every long-answer question is built around a short story about a person, rather than a plain textbook question. Even Section F, worth 6 marks on its own, is made up entirely of two mini case studies with follow-up questions. This means your score depends as much on how well you can apply a concept to a described situation as on how well you remember the concept itself, which is quite different from most other subjects.
These sample papers are made by our team at futuretopper.in to help you practise this case-based style of writing before your board exam. They are not official CBSE sample papers, but every paper here follows the current CBSE blueprint closely, including the section-wise word limits, the internal choices, and the two-case Section F format. Each paper comes with a complete, step-by-step answer key so you can check your work and see exactly how full marks are scored.
Exam Pattern
The Class 12 Psychology theory paper is for 70 marks and lasts 3 hours. There is also a separate 30-mark practical component. The theory paper has six sections, each with its own word limit.
Section | Question Numbers | Type & Marks | Total Marks |
A | 1–14 | MCQ / Assertion-Reason, 1 mark each | 14 |
B | 15–19 | Very short answer, 2 marks each (30 words) | 10 |
C | 20–23 | Short answer, 3 marks each (60 words) | 12 |
D | 24–27 | Long answer, 4 marks each (120 words) | 16 |
E | 28–29 | Long answer, 6 marks each (200 words) | 12 |
F | 30–33 | Two case studies, 1- and 2-mark questions | 6 |
There is no overall choice in the paper, but internal choices are given in one question each of Sections B and C, one question in Section D, and both questions of Section E. Section F always has two separate case studies, each followed by a 1-mark and a 2-mark question.
Download CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Papers
Each paper below includes the full question paper and a detailed marking scheme in one PDF, so you can attempt the paper first and then check your answers.
Sample Paper | What it Covers | Download Link |
Sample Paper 1 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, covering all seven units as per the blueprint | |
Sample Paper 2 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, with a fresh set of case studies and scenarios | |
Sample Paper 3 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, for a third round of practice before the exam |
Unit Weightage
The theory paper is built entirely from Class 12 units. Here is how the 70 marks are spread across them.
Unit | Marks |
Variations in Psychological Attributes | 13 |
Self and Personality | 13 |
Meeting Life Challenges | 9 |
Psychological Disorders | 12 |
Therapeutic Approaches | 9 |
Attitude and Social Cognition | 8 |
Social Influence and Group Processes | 6 |
Along with the theory paper, there is a separate 30-mark practical component, made up of a case profile, five psychological tests learnt during the year, and a viva voce.
Competency-wise Distribution of Marks
CBSE also groups Psychology questions by the thinking skill they test, and this split is quite different from most other subjects, with half the paper focused on remembering and understanding alone.
Competency | What it Tests | Weightage |
Remembering and Understanding | Recalling facts and concepts, and explaining or describing ideas in your own words | 50% |
Applying | Using a concept you have learnt to make sense of a new situation or case | 35% |
Formulating, Analysing, Evaluating and Creating | Breaking down information, drawing conclusions and forming a reasoned judgement | 15% |
Since Applying alone makes up more than a third of the paper, most of your practice time should go into working through case-based and scenario-style questions, not just reading definitions.
Prescribed Books
CBSE follows the NCERT Psychology textbook for both Class 11 and Class 12, and only the Class 12 book is directly assessed in the Class 12 board exam.
● Psychology, Class XI, published by NCERT (foundation topics, useful for building basic concepts)
● Psychology, Class XII, published by NCERT (the book the board exam is based on)
Both books are also available in Hindi medium.
Practical Exam and Project Work
Along with the 70-mark theory paper, Class 12 Psychology includes 30 marks of practical work, based on a case profile and psychological testing done through the year.
● Build a case profile of one individual using methods like interview, observation and psychological tests, and keep your file well organised (10 marks).
● Learn to administer and interpret five psychological tests during the year, covering areas like intelligence, aptitude, attitude and personality, since two of these will be tested directly in your practical exam (15 marks for conducting and reporting).
● Prepare well for the viva voce based on your case profile and the two tests you administer, since this carries 5 marks and is usually asked directly from your own file.
● Keep your practical file updated regularly through the year rather than compiling it at the last minute, since neat, well-documented work is easier to defend in the viva.
How to Prepare
● Read the NCERT Class 12 Psychology textbook at least twice, and make short notes of key terms, theories and the psychologists associated with them.
● Build a habit of applying every concept you learn to a small example or situation from daily life, since most questions in this subject are scenario-based.
● Make comparison charts for topics that are often confused, such as different personality approaches, types of coping, or categories of psychological disorders.
● Practise writing within the exact word limits given for each section, since Psychology answers are marked partly on being concise and to the point.
● Revise the different types of therapy along with a real or imagined case example for each, so you can explain how each one would help in a given situation.
● Solve previous years’ papers and sample papers under timed conditions so you get comfortable with the mix of MCQs, short answers and case-based questions.
Tips to Score Well
● In case-based questions, first identify the concept being tested, then explain it briefly using details straight from the passage given.
● For assertion-reason questions, check whether the assertion is true, whether the reason is true, and only then check if the reason truly explains the assertion.
● In Section D and E answers, use short paragraphs or numbered points instead of one long block of text, so the examiner can spot your key ideas quickly.
● Always name the theory, therapy or psychologist you are referring to, since correctly naming the concept before explaining it often earns extra marks.
● Attempt all MCQs, even the ones you are unsure about, since there is no negative marking.
● Keep an eye on the marks allotted to each question and match your answer length to it, rather than writing the same length for a 2-mark and a 4-mark question.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in the Class 12 Psychology exam?
No, there is no negative marking, so it is worth attempting every MCQ.
How many sections are there in the Psychology question paper?
There are six sections, A to F, with a total of 33 questions for 70 marks.
How many case studies appear in the paper?
Section F always has two separate case studies, each followed by one 1-mark and one 2-mark question.
How much does the practical exam count for?
The practical component carries 30 marks, in addition to the 70-mark theory paper, based on a case profile, five learnt tests and a viva voce.
Do these sample papers come with solutions?
Yes, every sample paper here includes a complete, question-wise marking scheme in the same PDF.
Which questions have an internal choice?
One question each in Sections B, C and D, and both questions in Section E, come with an internal choice.
Is the Class 11 Psychology book assessed in the Class 12 board exam?
No, only the Class 12 NCERT Psychology textbook is directly assessed in the Class 12 theory paper.