BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration
The Bihar School Examination Board has released the BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026 through its official model question papers. Arts stream students appearing for the Bihar Board Intermediate examination must understand this pattern thoroughly before starting their preparation. The board conducts examinations for approximately 13 lakh students annually across 1,400+ examination centres in Bihar, making it one of the largest state board examinations in India.
According to the official notification released on November 29, 2025, the BSEB 12th exams 2026 will be conducted from February 2 to February 13, 2026. The examination follows a 50-50 split between objective and subjective questions, a format BSEB introduced to ensure comprehensive assessment of student knowledge. We recommend downloading the official model papers from biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in to familiarize yourself with question distribution and marking scheme.
Bihar Board 12th Exam Pattern 2026 Arts Stream: Key Highlights
The BSEB Class 12 Arts examination 2026 carries significant changes that students must note. Unlike Science stream where most subjects have 70 marks theory and 30 marks practical, Arts stream subjects predominantly carry 100 marks in theory examination only. Only Psychology and Geography have practical components with 70 marks theory and 30 marks practical assessment.
The examination duration stands at 3 hours and 15 minutes for each paper. This includes 15 minutes of reading time at the beginning, during which students can go through the question paper but cannot start writing. The actual writing time is 3 hours. Exams are conducted in two shifts daily: morning shift from 9:30 AM to 12:45 PM and afternoon shift from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Authority | Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB), Patna |
| Examination Name | BSEB Intermediate (Class 12) Annual Examination 2026 |
| Stream | Arts / Humanities |
| Exam Mode | Offline (OMR Sheet for MCQs + Answer Sheet for Subjective) |
| Exam Duration | 3 Hours 15 Minutes (includes 15 min reading time) |
| Question Pattern | 50% Objective (MCQ) + 50% Subjective |
| Total Marks per Subject | 100 Marks (or 70+30 for practical subjects) |
| Passing Marks | 30% in each subject (30 out of 100) |
| Medium of Examination | Hindi and English |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Exam Dates 2026 | February 2 to February 13, 2026 |
| Practical Exams | January 10 to January 20, 2026 |
BSEB 12th Exam Pattern Subject-wise for Arts Stream
Each subject in the Arts stream follows a specific question distribution pattern. For 100-mark theory papers, the board provides 60 MCQs out of which students must attempt 50 questions. The subjective section includes 2-mark short answer questions and 5-mark long answer questions with internal choices. This pattern applies to subjects like History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Philosophy, and Home Science (theory portion).
For 70-mark theory papers (Psychology and Geography), students receive 42 MCQs and must attempt 35. The subjective portion follows the same structure with proportionally reduced questions. The remaining 30 marks come from practical examinations conducted at school level between January 10-20, 2026.
Question Distribution for 100-Mark Papers
| Section | Question Type | Questions Given | Questions to Attempt | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Objective (MCQ) | 60 | 50 | 1 | 50 |
| Section B | Short Answer (2 marks) | 25 | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| Section C | Long Answer (5 marks) | 8 | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| Total Theory Marks | 100 | ||||
Question Distribution for 70-Mark Papers (With Practical)
| Section | Question Type | Questions Given | Questions to Attempt | Marks per Question | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Objective (MCQ) | 42 | 35 | 1 | 35 |
| Section B | Short Answer (2 marks) | 20 | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Section C | Long Answer (5 marks) | 6 | 3 | 5 | 15 |
| Theory Total | 70 | ||||
| Practical Examination | 30 | ||||
| Grand Total | 100 | ||||
BSEB 12th Arts Marking Scheme 2026: Subject-wise Breakdown
The marking scheme varies across different Arts subjects based on whether they include practical components or not. Most Arts subjects are theory-only with 100 marks dedicated entirely to the written examination. Students must score minimum 30 marks in each subject to pass the examination. The board follows CBSE curriculum framework, ensuring alignment with national education standards.
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical Marks | Total Marks | Passing Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Political Science | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Economics | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Sociology | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Philosophy | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Psychology | 70 | 30 | 100 | 33 (21 Theory + 12 Practical) |
| Geography | 70 | 30 | 100 | 33 (21 Theory + 12 Practical) |
| Hindi (Compulsory) | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| English (Compulsory) | 100 | – | 100 | 30 |
| Optional Subject | 50 | – | 50 | 15 |
BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026 for History
History is a core subject for Arts students carrying 100 marks in theory examination. The BSEB Class 12 History syllabus follows NCERT’s “Themes in Indian History” framework covering ancient, medieval, and modern periods. The paper includes source-based questions that test analytical abilities alongside factual recall. Map-based questions on historical sites and movements frequently appear in the examination.
The objective section tests knowledge of dates, events, personalities, and historical terminologies. Subjective questions require elaboration on themes like Harappan Civilization, Mughal administration, peasant movements, and the freedom struggle. Students should practice writing structured answers with proper introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion for 5-mark questions.
History Paper Structure
- Section A: 50 MCQs covering all three themes (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India)
- Section B: 15 short answer questions requiring 50-60 word responses
- Section C: 4 long answer questions requiring 150-200 word responses
- Source-based questions carry 5 marks and appear in Section C
- Map questions on historical sites may appear in objective or subjective sections
BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026 for Political Science
Political Science paper in BSEB Class 12 covers two books: “Contemporary World Politics” and “Politics in India Since Independence.” The paper tests understanding of constitutional provisions, political movements, international relations, and governance systems. Current affairs related to Indian politics, though not directly asked, help contextualize answers.
The examination pattern emphasizes conceptual clarity over rote memorization. Questions on federalism, coalition politics, party systems, and India’s foreign policy are common. Students must understand constitutional amendments, landmark Supreme Court judgments, and evolution of democratic institutions for scoring well in subjective sections.
BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026 for Geography
Geography is one of the two Arts subjects with practical component. The 70-mark theory paper covers Human Geography and India: People and Economy from NCERT textbooks. The 30-mark practical examination tests map reading, data interpretation, and fieldwork documentation skills. Practical exams are conducted at school level between January 10-20, 2026.
The theory paper includes map-based questions carrying 10-15 marks. Students must practice locating rivers, mountain ranges, industrial regions, and agricultural zones on outline maps. Data-based questions requiring interpretation of graphs, tables, and statistical information are common in both objective and subjective sections.
Geography Practical Examination Components
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Practical Work/Field Study | 10 |
| Practical Record/File | 5 |
| Map Work | 10 |
| Viva Voce | 5 |
| Total Practical Marks | 30 |
BSEB Grading System and Division Criteria 2026
The Bihar School Examination Board follows a 9-point grading system to evaluate student performance. Grades are assigned based on marks obtained in each subject. The overall result is declared based on aggregate percentage across all subjects. Students scoring below 30% in any subject are considered failed in that subject and must appear for compartment examination.
| Marks Range | Grade | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|
| 91-100 | A1 | 10 |
| 81-90 | A2 | 9 |
| 71-80 | B1 | 8 |
| 61-70 | B2 | 7 |
| 51-60 | C1 | 6 |
| 41-50 | C2 | 5 |
| 33-40 | D | 4 |
| 21-32 | E1 | 3 |
| 0-20 | E2 | 2 |
Division Criteria Based on Aggregate Marks
| Division | Aggregate Marks (out of 500) | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| First Division with Distinction | 375 and above | 75% and above |
| First Division | 300-374 | 60%-74.9% |
| Second Division | 225-299 | 45%-59.9% |
| Third Division | 150-224 | 30%-44.9% |
How to Download BSEB 12th Exam Pattern 2026
The official exam pattern is available through model question papers released by BSEB. These papers provide exact question distribution, marking scheme, and time allocation for each section. Students should download subject-wise model papers to understand the actual examination format.
- Visit the official BSEB website: biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in
- Navigate to “Downloads” or “Model Papers” section on the homepage
- Select “Intermediate” or “Class 12” from the available options
- Choose your stream: Arts/Humanities
- Click on the subject for which you need the model paper
- The PDF file will open in browser; click download to save
- Repeat for all subjects in your curriculum
BSEB 12th Arts 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date/Timeline |
|---|---|
| Sent-up Examination | November 2025 |
| Time Table Released | November 29, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | January 2026 |
| Practical Examinations | January 10-20, 2026 |
| Theory Examinations Begin | February 2, 2026 |
| Theory Examinations End | February 13, 2026 |
| Result Declaration (Expected) | March-April 2026 |
| Compartment Exam Application | April 2026 (after results) |
Exam Day Instructions for BSEB 12th Arts Students
The Bihar Board has set strict guidelines for examination conduct in 2026. Students must reach examination centres at least 30 minutes before the scheduled time. Latecomers will not be permitted entry after the examination begins. Carrying mobile phones, electronic devices, or any prohibited material inside the examination hall is strictly forbidden and can lead to debarment.
- Carry original admit card and valid photo ID to the examination centre
- Morning shift reporting time: 9:00 AM (Exam starts 9:30 AM)
- Afternoon shift reporting time: 1:30 PM (Exam starts 2:00 PM)
- First 15 minutes are for reading question paper only; writing is not permitted
- Use only blue or black ballpoint pen for writing answers
- Fill OMR sheet carefully; overwriting or multiple markings will be rejected
- Do not leave examination hall before completing 1 hour of the exam
Frequently Asked Questions on BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026
What is the total marks in BSEB 12th Arts examination?
The total marks for BSEB 12th Arts examination is 500 marks, calculated from five main subjects carrying 100 marks each. Optional subjects carry 50 marks and can be used for improvement if a student fails in any compulsory subject.
How many MCQs are there in BSEB 12th Arts papers?
For 100-mark theory papers, 60 MCQs are provided and students must attempt 50. For 70-mark papers (Geography and Psychology), 42 MCQs are given and 35 must be attempted. Each MCQ carries 1 mark.
What is the passing marks for BSEB 12th Arts 2026?
Students must score minimum 30% marks in each subject to pass. For 100-mark papers, this means 30 marks. For practical subjects, students need 21 marks in theory and 12 marks in practical, totalling 33 marks.
Is there negative marking in Bihar Board 12th exams?
No, BSEB does not apply negative marking in Class 12 examinations. Students should attempt all questions as there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
When will BSEB 12th Arts exams 2026 be conducted?
According to the official notification, BSEB 12th Arts examinations 2026 will be conducted from February 2 to February 13, 2026. Practical exams will be held from January 10 to January 20, 2026.
What happens if I fail in one subject?
If a student fails in one compulsory subject, marks from the optional subject can be considered for passing criteria. Additionally, students can appear for compartment examination scheduled after result declaration in April-May 2026.
Understanding the BSEB 12th Arts Exam Pattern 2026 is the first step toward effective preparation. The 50-50 split between objective and subjective questions requires balanced study approach covering both factual knowledge and analytical writing skills. Focus on NCERT textbooks as they form the primary source for question setting. Practice previous years’ papers to understand question trends and improve time management during examinations. The Bihar Board examination rewards students who prepare systematically with clear understanding of syllabus and marking scheme.
