Syllabus, Section-wise Weightage & Smart Preparation Tools
English Core helps build your critical reading, writing, and interpretation skills. For the 2026 exam, CBSE retains a balanced paper across reading, writing, and literature. This guide covers the latest pattern, syllabus breakdown, and smart study tips powered by OnlineSelfTest.com.
📝 CBSE English Core Exam Pattern – Class 12 (2025–26)
| Section |
Description |
Marks |
| Section A |
Reading Comprehension (2 Passages) |
22 |
| Section B |
Creative Writing Skills |
18 |
| Section C |
Literature (Prose + Poetry + Vistas) |
40 |
| Total |
|
80 |
- Internal Assessment: 20 marks (ASL + project + listening/speaking tasks)
📚 English Core Syllabus – Class 12 (2026)
Section A: Reading Skills (22 marks)
-
Unseen passage – factual, descriptive or literary (10 marks)
-
Case-based passage with verbal/visual inputs (12 marks)
Section B: Creative Writing Skills (18 marks)
-
Notice, Invitation, Advertisement (4 marks)
-
Formal/Informal Reply (4 marks)
-
Letter to Editor / Job Application with Bio-data (5 marks)
-
Article / Report Writing (5 marks)
Section C: Literature (40 marks)
Book 1 – Flamingo
-
Prose:
-
The Last Lesson
-
Lost Spring
-
Deep Water
-
The Rattrap
-
Indigo
-
Poets and Pancakes
-
The Interview
-
Going Places
-
Poetry:
-
My Mother at Sixty-Six
-
Keeping Quiet
-
A Thing of Beauty
-
A Roadside Stand
-
Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Book 2 – Vistas
📊 Expected Section-Wise Weightage (Theory – 80 Marks)
| Section |
Component |
Marks |
| Reading Skills |
2 Passages |
22 |
| Writing Skills |
Notices, Letters, Articles |
18 |
| Literature |
Flamingo & Vistas (Q-based) |
40 |
| Total |
|
80 |
🌟 Important Chapters & Topics for 2026
📌 Deep Water – personal transformation theme
📌 Indigo – Gandhian principles
📌 The Rattrap – character contrast & redemption
📌 A Thing of Beauty – literary devices
📌 The Enemy – moral dilemma
📌 Report/Article Writing – real-life examples, structure
✅ Smart Prep Tips for Class 12 English Core
✍️ Practice writing notices, editorials, and formal letters weekly
📖 Use annotations to understand themes & literary devices in Flamingo
📊 Practice comprehension on current affairs, visual-based info
🗣️ Record voice answers for speaking assessments
📤 Upload long answers on OnlineSelfTest.com for AI-powered feedback
🚀 English Made Easy with OnlineSelfTest.com
📚 Practice reading, writing & literature questions
📄 Upload your letter/article writing for instant correction
🧠 Get feedback on grammar, coherence, and structure
📊 Identify weak areas in MCQs and long answers
📝 Use sample answer hints to improve answer presentation
✨ Boost your Class 12 English Core score with confidence using guided question banks, writing feedback, and performance tracking — only at OnlineSelfTest.com.
