Complete syllabus with all units, chapters, topics, marks distribution, exam pattern, study tips and scoring strategies. Everything you need in one place.

Quick Overview

Exam Structure 2026-27

The theory paper carries 70 marks and practical work carries 30 marks. The paper tests psychological concepts, case-based reasoning and applied understanding.

Theory Paper Pattern (70 Marks)

Practical Work (30 Marks)

Unit-Wise Marks Distribution 2026-27

Complete Syllabus 2026-27: All Units and Topics

Unit 1: Variations in Psychological Attributes

•      Individual differences: meaning and nature

•      Intelligence: theories of Spearman, Thurstone, Gardner, Sternberg

•      IQ and its measurement: Stanford-Binet, Wechsler scales

•      Emotional Intelligence: meaning and importance

•      Special abilities: creativity, aptitude

•      Nature vs nurture debate in intelligence

Unit 2: Self and Personality

•      Concept of self: self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy

•      Theories of personality: Freudian psychoanalytic theory

•      Neo-Freudian theories: Adler, Jung, Erikson

•      Trait theories: Allport, Cattell, Eysenck, Big Five model

•      Humanistic approach: Maslow and Rogers

•      Behavioural and cognitive approaches to personality

•      Assessment of personality: self-report, projective tests (Rorschach, TAT)

Unit 3: Meeting Life Challenges

•      Nature of stress: stressors, types and sources

•      Stress and health: psychosomatic disorders, immune system

•      Coping strategies: problem-focused, emotion-focused

•      Positive health and well-being: concept and promotion

•      Life skills: resilience, hardiness, self-regulation

•      Stress management techniques: relaxation, meditation, yoga

Unit 4: Psychological Disorders

•      Concept of abnormality: historical perspectives, DSM-5

•      Anxiety disorders: generalised anxiety, phobia, OCD, PTSD, panic

•      Mood disorders: major depression, bipolar disorder

•      Schizophrenia: symptoms, types, causes

•      Substance use disorders: dependence, withdrawal

•      Neurodevelopmental disorders: ADHD, autism spectrum

Unit 5: Therapeutic Approaches

•      Nature of psychotherapy: goals and features

•      Psychodynamic therapy: free association, dream analysis

•      Behaviour therapy: systematic desensitisation, aversion therapy

•      Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): principles and application

•      Humanistic therapy: client-centred therapy by Carl Rogers

•      Biomedical therapies: drug therapy, ECT

•      Rehabilitation of the mentally ill: community support

Unit 6: Attitude and Social Cognition

•      Attitude: meaning, components (ABC model), formation

•      Attitude change: persuasion, cognitive dissonance

•      Prejudice: nature, sources and reduction strategies

•      Social cognition: schemas, impression formation

•      Attribution: Heider's theory, fundamental attribution error

•      Stereotypes and discrimination in social life

Unit 7: Social Influence and Group Processes

•      Nature of groups: types, formation, structure

•      Group influence: conformity (Asch), obedience (Milgram)

•      Group dynamics: cohesiveness, group think, group polarisation

•      Leadership: styles and effectiveness

•      Cooperation and competition in group settings

•      Intergroup conflict and resolution

Unit 8: Psychology and Life

•      Human-environment interaction: environmental psychology

•      Noise, crowding and pollution: psychological effects

•      Promoting pro-environmental behaviour

•      Psychology and social concerns: poverty, aggression, violence

•      Disaster management and psychological first aid

Practical Syllabus 2026-27

Students must complete any 6 experiments from the list below for their practical file.

Important Dates 2026-27

Verify all dates on cbse.gov.in before the exam season.

Unit-Wise Priority at a Glance

Study Tips for CBSE Class 12 Psychology

1. Learn Theories with Their Psychologists

•      Every theory must be linked to the correct psychologist: Freud for psychoanalysis, Rogers for humanistic, Beck for CBT

•      Make a two-column list: Theory on the left, Psychologist and key points on the right

•      CBSE awards marks specifically for naming the theorist correctly

2. Understand and Apply, Not Just Memorise

•      Psychology rewards application-based answers, not just definitions

•      Practise applying concepts to everyday examples: anxiety, leadership, group behaviour

•      Case-based questions carry 14 marks and require applied understanding

3. Units 2, 4 and 5 are the Highest Scorers

•      Personality, Disorders and Therapies together yield 25-30 marks every year

•      These units have clear structure: definitions, types, theories, examples

•      Prepare topic-wise notes of 8-10 lines for each sub-topic

4. Complete Practical File on Time

•      Practical work carries 30 marks and is often ignored until the last minute

•      Complete all 6 experiments with proper procedure, observation and conclusion

•      Viva questions are directly based on your practical file, prepare accordingly

Scoring Tips for the Board Exam

•      Attempt MCQs first to secure 20 marks before moving to descriptive answers

•      For 5-mark long answers, write definition, 3-4 key points with examples, conclusion

•      Always name the psychologist or theory relevant to your answer

•      In case-based questions, identify the psychological concept in the case first, then explain it

•      For 3-mark short answers, write 3 distinct points, one point per mark

•      Use correct psychological terminology: defence mechanisms, attribution, conformity, schemas

•      Write legibly and leave a line between answers, clear presentation adds marks

•      Leave 10 minutes at the end to review MCQs and case-based answers

Common Mistakes to Avoid

•      Confusing theories: mixing up Freud and Erikson, or CBT with behaviour therapy

•      Not naming the psychologist alongside the theory, examiners look for this specifically

•      Writing general knowledge instead of NCERT-based answers

•      Skipping Unit 8 (Psychology and Life), it is short but regularly tested in MCQs

•      Not practising case-based questions, students lose 14 marks due to lack of practice

•      Confusing symptoms of disorders: depression vs bipolar, OCD vs phobia

•      Ignoring the practical component, 30 marks are at stake

•      Writing vague answers without examples, always support with real-life applications

Best Resources for Preparation

•      NCERT Psychology: Class 12 (Psychology Textbook for Class XII) - primary resource

•      CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 on cbseacademic.nic.in, practise full papers under timed conditions

•      CBSE Question Bank: unit-wise case-based and long answer practice

•      Previous Year CBSE Papers (7 years): identify repeated units and question formats

•      Arihant All in One Psychology Class 12: useful for MCQ and short answer practice

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How many units are in CBSE Class 12 Psychology?

There are 9 units in total. Units 1 to 8 form the theory syllabus worth 70 marks. Unit 9 covers practical skills and forms part of the 30-mark practical component.

Q2. What is included in the Psychology practical exam?

The practical carries 30 marks and includes a practical file of 6 experiments (10 marks), practical examination (10 marks), viva voce (5 marks) and project work (5 marks).

Q3. Which unit carries the most marks in Class 12 Psychology?

Unit 2 (Self and Personality) is the highest-weightage unit with 12 marks. Units 4 (Psychological Disorders) and 5 (Therapeutic Approaches) together contribute another 18 marks.

Q4. What are case-based questions in Psychology?

Case-based questions present a real-life scenario and ask you to identify and explain the psychological concept involved. They carry 14 marks in the theory paper and require applied understanding.

Q5. Is NCERT enough to score 90+ in Psychology?

Yes. NCERT is the primary resource for CBSE Psychology. Read it thoroughly, practise case-based questions from CBSE sample papers and complete your practical file on time to score 90+.

Disclaimer: This content is based on the official CBSE Psychology curriculum. Always verify the latest syllabus on cbse.gov.in as CBSE may update it.