CBSE Class 12 English Question Paper 2023 - PDF Download

eSaral Academic and Editorial Team
The Class 12 English exam of the Central Board of Secondary Examination was held, February 24, 2023, from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. More than lakhs of students appeared for the exam, which is considered one of the most important in CBSE Class 12, being a common subject in all streams. Both English Core and English Elective exams were held on the same day, and students gave their full efforts. The English paper is always lengthy, and students have a lot to discuss after the exams. On that note, we bring you the official CBSE Class 12 English question paper 2023 in PDF form. We have the CBSE class 12 English core paper available here along with the early, unofficial answer key.
CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2023-24
CBSE has already published the Class 12 English Syllabus for the academic year 2023-24 at their official website www.cbseacademic.nic.in. The CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2023-24 for core includes all the topics and chapters to be covered to appear for the board exams. You must not ignore English paper and you should start preparing for it along with other subjects because it holds equal marks as other subjects. The questions asked in English are quite easier than in other subjects like Physics or Chemistry, hence this subject can help students to boost their overall percentage. Here, we have provided the complete details of the CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2023-24 along with the marking scheme.
English Class 12 Syllabus 2023-24 (Core English)
Class 12th English examinations will hold a total of 80 marks together. Whereas, the Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills have 20 Marks, the Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills, consists of Listening Skills( 5 Marks), Speaking Skills(5 Marks) and Project Work(10 Marks). The section-wise marks distribution of English Class 12 Syllabus 2023-24 has been tabulated below for the reference of the students.
|
CBSE Class 12th Core English Syllabus 2023-24 |
||
|
Section |
Particulars |
Marks |
|
Reading Comprehension |
1.Unseen passage (factual, descriptive or literary)(12 Marks) 2. Case-Based Unseen (Factual) Passage(10 Marks) |
20 Marks |
|
Creative Writing Skills |
1.Short Writing Tasks – Notice up to 50 words(4 Marks), Formal/Informal Invitation and Reply up to 50 words(4 Marks). 2.Long Writing Tasks – Letters Writing( for a job with bio data or resume/Letters to the editor)up to 120-150 words(5 Marks), Article/ Report Writing up to 120-150 words(5 Marks) |
20 Marks |
|
Literature |
Question Based upon MCQs, Objective Type Questions, Short Answer Type Questions and Long Answer Type Questions to assess comprehension, analysis, interpretation and extrapolation beyond the text
|
40Marks |
|
Total Marks |
80 Marks |
|
CBSE Class 12 English Syllabus 2023-24 Literature(Core)
Book-Flamingo (Prose)
- The Last Lesson
- Lost Spring
- Deep Water
- The Rattrap
- Indigo
- Poets and Pancakes
- The Interview
- Going Places
Book-Flamingo (Poetry)
- My Mother at Sixty-Six
- Keeping Quiet
- A Thing of Beauty
- A Roadside Stand
- Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers
Book-Vistas
- 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
CBSE Class 12 Core English Syllabus Marking Scheme
According to the marking scheme for CBSE Class 12 Core English Syllabus 2023-24, the theory part contains Reading Comprehension, Creative Writing Skills, Literature carries 80 marks altogether. While the other section of Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills carries 20 marks and both the sections altogether make up 100 marks.
S.No. | Particulars | Marks |
1. | Reading Comprehension, Creative Writing Skills, Literature | 80 Marks |
2. | Assessment of Listening and Speaking Skills | 20 Marks |
Total | 100 Marks | |
Marking Scheme For Class 12 CBSE 2023-24
CBSE released a new marking scheme for class 12 CBSE. Following are the details about the CBSE class 12 exam pattern 2023-24.
|
Conducting Authority |
Central Board of Secondary Education |
|
Category |
CBSE 12th exam pattern 2023-24 |
|
Question Pattern |
|
|
Maximum Marks |
100 (Theory+Practical) |
|
Passing Marks Per Subject |
33 percent |
|
Total Duration |
180 minutes |
|
Mode |
Offline |
|
Official Website |
cbse.gov.in |
Benefits of Class 12th PYQ English Core 2023
Following are some significant benefits of practising the Class 12 English question paper are:
- Students can quickly identify the weak section in the subject that needs more focus and attention, allowing them to modify their preparation accordingly.
- Students learn better time management skills by solving previous year question papers, allowing them to answer all the questions within the stipulated time.
- They further understand the question paper pattern, the type of questions asked, the marking scheme and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to plan your preparation for CBSE Class 12 English Core Examination?
First finish reading the prescribed novel and mark the important incidents in the novel. During exam time, it will be helpful to go through the vast topics which means it helps to save time and you don’t have to re-read the whole topic again and again.
Most of the schools have frequent unit tests or mid-term tests, so cover whatever the syllabus is given to you in your unit tests or mid-term tests.

Team eSaral
eSaral Academic and Editorial Team
Team eSaral is the collective author profile for educational content created by eSaral’s teachers and academic contributors. The team draws on expertise from IIT graduates, doctors, experienced educators and subject specialists to develop resources for JEE, NEET and school students. Our articles aim to explain concepts clearly and help students study with confidence.
Related Posts

Plant Cell Diagram: Labelled Structure, Parts and Functions
Simple, labelled plant cell diagram with parts and functions. Covers plant cell structure for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 students, CBSE-aligned.

Saransh Gupta Sir's Visit to IIT Patna: Hostel Life, Placements & Lessons for JEE Aspirants
Inside Saransh Gupta Sir's IIT Patna visit — hostel life, the library, placements, internships, and real advice for JEE aspirants from students living the IIT dream.

Molality Formula: Formula for Molality, Derivation & Solved Examples
Molality formula is $m = \dfrac{n}{W}$. Learn the formula of molality, its SI unit, derivation, relation with molarity, and solved examples for Class 11, JEE and NEET.

BITSAT Previous Year Question Paper PDF
Download BITSAT previous year question papers PDF. Get year-wise BITSAT PYQs, memory-based papers, exam pattern, and preparation tips to improve your BITSAT preparation.

Teachers’ Day 2026 at eSaral Gurukul: Celebrating the Bond Between Students, Teachers & Mentors
See how Teachers’ Day 2026 was celebrated at eSaral Gurukul, reflecting the bond among students, teachers, and mentors, and the role of guidance beyond academics.

JEE Advanced Attempts: Can You Give It a Third Time? Rules Explained
JEE Advanced attempts: current rule is 2 consecutive years only: full eligibility criteria, the 2025 third-attempt controversy, and the latest 2026 petition news.

Best JEE Preparation App
Best JEE preparation app for Main & Advanced: AI mock tests, live doubt-solving, thousands of practice questions. JEE preparation app for droppers & Class 11-12.

Coordinate Geometry Class 10: Formulas, Notes & Solved Examples
Coordinate geometry class 10: complete CBSE formulas — distance, section, midpoint and area of triangle — with derivation, notes and solved examples.

How to make Notes For JEE Smart Notes Strategy of an AIR 41
Learn how to make notes for JEE the way toppers do — indexing, shorthand, and smart short notes for JEE that cut revision time to just 5–7 days.

SL Arora Physics Class 12 Index – Chapter List for Volume 1 & 2
SL Arora Physics Class 12 index — complete chapter list for Volume 1 & 2, mapped to NCERT solutions for board, JEE Main, and NEET preparation.
