CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26: Download PDF, Marking Scheme, and Important Questions

Preparing for the CBSE Class 12 Geography board exam 2025-26? The best way to score high marks is to practice with the official CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases sample papers every year to help students understand the latest exam pattern, question types, and marking scheme.

This detailed guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from how to download the Geography sample paper and marking scheme PDF to expert tips for scoring 95+ in the board exam.

Overview of CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26

The CBSE Geography Sample Paper 2025-26 is designed as per the latest Class 12 Geography syllabus and Competency-Based Education (CBE) guidelines. It reflects the same structure and difficulty level you can expect in the final board exam.

Importance of CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26

Practicing with the official sample paper gives you a real exam-like experience. Here’s why you should take it seriously:

1. Familiarity with the Question Paper Pattern:
   Understand the structure — number of sections, types of questions, and marks distribution.

2. Learn Time Management:
   Practice helps you allocate the right amount of time to each question during the 3-hour exam.

3. Boosts Confidence:
   Reduces exam fear and builds confidence by simulating the real exam environment.

4. Improves Conceptual Clarity:
   Many questions are based on real-life applications and maps — solving these helps strengthen conceptual understanding.

5. Identifies Weak Areas:
   After solving, analyzing your mistakes helps you focus on topics needing improvement.

CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam Pattern 2025-26

Before you begin solving the sample paper, it’s important to understand the Geography exam pattern prescribed by CBSE.

👉 Note: The total duration of the Geography theory paper is 3 hours.

CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26 PDF Download

The official Geography sample paper PDF is available on the CBSE Academic website. Here’s how you can download it:

🔹 Steps to Download:

1. Visit cbseacademic.nic.in

2. Click on the ‘Sample Question Paper’ section.

3. Select Class XII → 2025–26 session.

4. Choose Geography from the list of subjects.

5. Download both:

   • Sample Question Paper (SQP)

   • Marking Scheme (MS)

🔹 Direct Links (for convenience):

• 👉 Download CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26 (PDF)

• 👉 Download CBSE Class 12 Geography Marking Scheme 2025-26 (PDF)

Structure of CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26

The Geography paper is divided into two parts — Part A: Fundamentals of Human Geography and Part B: India – People and Economy.

Let’s take a quick look:

Part A – Fundamentals of Human Geography

Covers theoretical and conceptual understanding of human geography.

Major Units:

1. Human Geography: Nature and Scope

2. People

3. Human Activities

4. Transport, Communication and Trade

5. Human Settlements

Part B – India: People and Economy

Focuses on spatial distribution, economy, and planning in the Indian context.

Major Units:

1. People

2. Human Settlements

3. Resources and Development

4. Transport, Communication and International Trade

5. Geographical Perspective on Selected Issues and Problems

Part C – Practical Work

This part assesses map interpretation and analytical skills. It includes:

• Map Work (5 marks)

• Practical Record and Viva (5 marks)

• Report File (10 marks)

• Data Handling/Field Survey (10 marks)

How to Prepare Using CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26

Here are some smart preparation strategies you can follow:

1. Start with the Syllabus

Go through the latest CBSE Class 12 Geography syllabus 2025-26 and mark all important chapters. Make sure you understand the weightage of each section.

2. Solve the Sample Paper in One Sitting

Treat the sample paper as a real exam. Sit in a quiet room, set a timer for 3 hours, and attempt all questions sincerely.

3. Check Answers Using the Marking Scheme

Compare your answers with the official marking scheme PDF to identify where you can improve presentation, structure, or content.

4. Focus on Map-Based Questions

Map questions carry 5 marks, but they’re scoring if practiced regularly. Revise important rivers, crops, industries, minerals, and transport routes.

5. Use Keywords and Diagrams

Always include key terms, headings, and neat diagrams to make your answers examiner-friendly.

6. Revise Case Studies

Case studies are often asked in application-based questions. Revise examples like:

• Bhilai Steel Plant

• Green Revolution regions

• IT hubs in India

7. Analyze Past Year Papers

Compare the latest sample paper with previous years’ trends to identify commonly repeated themes and topics.

Benefits of Solving CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26

Solving the sample paper provides several academic and psychological benefits:

• Helps you understand how to attempt competency-based questions.

• Builds time management and answer structuring skills.

• Offers insight into CBSE’s question framing style.

• Enhances accuracy and speed.

• Helps achieve conceptual and analytical clarity.

The more you practice, the better your command over concepts and presentation becomes.

Tips to Score 95+ in CBSE Class 12 Geography Exam 2025

1. Focus on Map Practice:
   Practice marking important locations daily.

2. Make Concept Maps:
   Visual aids help in quick revision before the exam.

3. Revise NCERT Thoroughly:
   All CBSE questions are based on the NCERT textbook. Stick to it.

4. Use the Sample Paper as a Benchmark:
   Identify your strong and weak areas through the official sample paper.

5. Answer to the Point:
   Avoid writing long, irrelevant paragraphs. Stick to the question.

6. Keep Notes Handy:
   Short notes for definitions, concepts, and diagrams are invaluable during last-minute revision.

CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26 with Answers

CBSE also releases a Marking Scheme (MS) along with the sample paper — which includes model answers. These answers are extremely useful as they show how to structure and present responses in the board exam.

The marking scheme helps you understand:

• The key points expected in every answer.

• How marks are allotted for each sub-question.

• The language and format preferred by examiners.

By studying the marking scheme, students can align their writing style with CBSE’s evaluation standards.

CBSE Class 12 Geography Sample Paper 2025-26: Download Links