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CBSE Class 12 English Preparation Tips 2026 - Tips to Score Maximum Marks
English is one of the most important subjects for Class 12. Students appearing in the Class 12 board exams this year must check these CBSE Class 12 English preparation tips to score well in the subject. Students often ignore English, but if prepared strategically, it will turn out to be the most scoring one.
This Story also Contains
- CBSE Class 12 English Section-wise Weightage
- CBSE Class 12 English Prescribed Books
- CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper Design
- Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 English
- CBSE Class 12 English Preparation Tips
- Previous Years’ CBSE Class 12 English Sample Papers
CBSE Class 12 English preparation tips will let students know the right approach to prepare for this subject. Students need to develop a couple of habits if they want to score full marks in Class 12 English. One among them is the habit of reading an English newspaper and writing at least 1-page about any current topic. This way, students can improve their vocabulary and develop a strong command of grammar.
CBSE Class 12 English Section-wise Weightage
| Section | Title | Details | Marks |
| Section A | Reading Skills | Reading Comprehension through Unseen Passage | 22 |
| Section B | Creative Writing Skills | Creative Writing Skills | 18 |
| Section C | Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text | Multiple Choice Questions, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions (30–50 words), Long Answer Type Questions (100–120 words) from Prose/Poetry/Supplementary Reader. | 40 |
CBSE Class 12 English Prescribed Books
1. Flamingo: English Reader, published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi
(Prose)
- The Last Lesson Lost Spring Deep Water
- The Rattrap
- Indigo
- Poets and Pancakes
- The Interview
- Going Places
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Attempt Now(Poetry)
- My Mother at Sixty-Six
- Keeping Quiet
- A Thing of Beauty
- A Roadside Stand
- Aunt Jennifer's Tigers
2. Vistas: Supplementary Reader published by National Council of Education Research and Training, New Delhi
- The Third Level
- The Tiger King
- Journey to the End of the Earth
- The Enemy
- On the Face of It: Memories of Childhood
- The Cutting of My Long Hair
- We Too are Human Beings
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Related eBooks & Sample Papers
CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper Design
| Section | Competencies | Total Marks |
| Reading Skills | Conceptual understanding, decoding, analyzing, inferring, interpreting, appreciating literary conventions and vocabulary, summarizing, and using appropriate format/s. | 22 |
| Creative Writing Skills | Conceptual Understanding, application of rules, Analysis, Reasoning, appropriacy of style and tone, using appropriate format and fluency, inference, analysis, evaluation, and creativity. | 18 |
| Literature Text Book and Supplementary Reading Text | Recalling, reasoning, critical thinking, appreciating literary convention, inference, analysis, and creativity with fluency. | 40 |
| TOTAL | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment | Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills • Listening • Speaking • Project Work | 20 (5+5+10) |
| GRAND TOTAL | 100 | |
Reference Books for CBSE Class 12 English
| Book Title | Publisher | Features |
| All in One English Core – Class 12 | Arihant Publications | Comprehensive guide covering Reading, Writing, Literature (Flamingo & Vistas), and Novels (Silas Marner & The Invisible Man). Includes NCERT questions, sample papers, and practice exercises. |
| Xam Idea English Core – Class 12 | VK Global Publications | Chapter-wise question bank aligned with the latest CBSE syllabus. Contains NCERT questions, sample papers, and practice exercises. |
| Oswaal CBSE Chapterwise & Topicwise Question Bank – English Core Class 12 | Oswaal Books | Includes chapter-wise and topic-wise questions, previous years' board questions, and detailed explanations. |
| Full Marks English Core – Class 12 | Full Marks Pvt. Ltd. | Provides detailed summaries, textual questions with answers, and additional practice questions for Flamingo and Vistas. |
| Together with English Core – Class 12 | Rachna Sagar | Offers comprehensive coverage of the syllabus with sample papers, practice questions, and detailed explanations. |
| Golden English Core – Class 12 | New Age International | Includes summaries, textual questions, grammar, writing skills, and sample papers. |
| Sahitya Bhawan English Core – Class 12 | Sahitya Bhawan | Topic-wise complete study material with theory, question-and-answer, and self-assessment tests. |
| Wren & Martin High School English Grammar and Composition | S. Chand Publishing | A classic grammar book covering detailed grammar rules and composition writing. |
CBSE Class 12 English Preparation Tips
One of the students' most frequently asked questions is how to score good marks in the Class 12 English exam. To answer the same, we are providing the best tips for the English exam class 12. Implement the same in your study routine to fetch good scores in the CBSE 12th result.
Stay Acquainted with the Syllabus
The first and foremost CBSE Class 12 English preparation tip is to refer to the syllabus.
The CBSE 12th English syllabus 2026 will help students to know the important topics and the marks distribution of all the subjects. Therefore, knowing the syllabus and preparing accordingly will help. The additional tip is to at least go through the poetry and chapters at least once before it is taught in the Class.
Give at least one Hour to English Daily
Students often take English for granted and end up scoring fewer marks. They must understand that this subject will help them increase their overall percentage without much hard work. It is strongly recommended that students give a minimum of one hour of English per day. Utilise this one hour in reading extensively. Remember that it will not only help to cover the chapters but also improve your reading skills. Not just this, but it will also enhance the students’ vocabulary and improve their writing skills. This is one of the most useful CBSE Class 12 English preparation tips.
Solve the Previous Years’ Question Papers
Students must solve the previous years’ CBSE Class 12 question papers to know the difficulty level of the question papers. Not just this, but by solving the sample papers from previous years, they will be able to know which section carries the highest marks. Therefore, students must refer to the question papers of previous years and get an idea of the questions.
Choose the Right Books
The next beneficial CBSE Class 12 English preparation tip is that students must use the right books for the preparation of the exams. While preparing for the examination, students should refer to the NCERT Books for Class 12 English. They are also advised to refer to the same books throughout the year. Studying from the same set of books in language papers helps in better understanding. Students can also use reference books for learning grammar and reading activities.
Learn the Subtle Art of Answering Creatively!
While answering the questions in the literature section, students must try to give their bit to the answers. Answering the questions with the student’s perspective and ideas, yet keeping the essence and context of the answer the same, will help in scoring very well. This comes with voracious reading and interest in the subject. Therefore, students are advised that apart from the course, they must read the novels and the literature pieces of their interest and enhance their vocabulary and writing skills. This is one of the most useful CBSE Class 12 English preparation tips.
Manage the Time Effectively
Students need to note that the CBSE English paper is extremely lengthy. Therefore, managing time efficiently is of utmost importance. They are advised to quickly go through the question paper in the 15 minutes provided for reading. Students must read the ‘Reading section’ in the question paper in the first 10 minutes and understand the passages and related questions well. In the remaining 5 minutes, they are advised to go through the questions from the literature section. This will help in managing time efficiently while appearing for the exams. This is one of the most important CBSE Class 12 English preparation tips.
Previous Years’ CBSE Class 12 English Sample Papers
Year | Sample papers link |
| 2023 | Click here |
2022 (Term 2) | |
2022 (Term 1) | |
2021 | |
2020 | |
2019 | |
2018 | |
2017 | |
2016 |
Also check,
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What are the passing marks in the CBSE 12th exams?
A:
Students must score at least 33 per cent in each subject and in aggregate in order to pass in the CBSE Board exams.
Q: Where can I find CBSE Class 12 answer sheets?
A:
Students can download the CBSE 12th answer sheets from the official website of CBSE, cbse.nic.in. They will be able to download the model answer sheets for all the Class 12 subjects.
Q: How to score good marks in English class 12?
A:
Students can score well in CBSE Class 12 English by reading literature texts thoroughly, practicing essay writing, improving vocabulary, and solving previous years' papers to understand the exam pattern and marking scheme over the years.
Q: From where can I download the CBSE Class 12 previous years’ question papers?
A:
Students can download the previous years’ question and sample papers from the official website of the cbse, cbse.gov.in
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Yes, if you’re not satisfied with your marks even after the improvement exam, many education boards allow you to reappear as a private candidate next year to improve your scores. This means you can register independently, study at your own pace, and take the exams without attending regular classes. It’s a good option to improve your results and open up more opportunities for higher studies or careers. Just make sure to check the specific rules and deadlines of your education board so you don’t miss the registration window. Keep your focus, and you will do better next time.
Hello Aspirant,
Yes, in the case that you appeared for the 2025 improvement exam and your roll number is different from what was on the previous year’s marksheet, the board will usually release a new migration certificate. This is because the migration certificate will reflect the most recent exam details, roll number and passing year. You can apply to get it from your board using the process prescribed by them either online or through your school/college.
Yes, if you miss the 1st CBSE exam due to valid reasons, then you can appear for the 2nd CBSE compartment exam.
From the academic year 2026, the board will conduct the CBSE 10th exam twice a year, while the CBSE 12th exam will be held once, as per usual. For class 10th, the second phase exam will act as the supplementary exam. Check out information on w hen the CBSE first exam 2026 will be conducted and changes in 2026 CBSE Board exam by clicking on the link .
If you want to change your stream to humanities after getting a compartment in one subject in the CBSE 12th Board Exam , you actually have limited options to qualify for your board exams. You can prepare effectively and appear in the compartment examination for mathematics again. If you do not wish to continue with the current stream, you can take readmission in the Humanities stream and start from Class 11th again, and continue studying for two more years to qualify for the 12th examination.
The GUJCET Merit List is prepared based on the Class 12th marks and GUJCET marks received by the students. CBSE students who are not from the Gujarat board can definitely compete with GSEB students, as their eligibility is decided based on the combined marks scored by them in GUJCET and the 12th board. The weightage of the GUJCET score is 40% and the weightage of the class 12 scores is 60%.
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