CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26, Download PDF with Solutions

Psychology is one of the most popular subjects that is chosen by a huge number of students in the Class 12 Arts stream. From the exam-oriented preparation, students must refer to the CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26, to know the real question paper pattern, what type of questions they might encounter in the exam hall. For the convenience of the students, we have shared the CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26 with Solutions PDF on this page.

CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26

The official CBSE Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper is based on the most recent CBSE standards, which include revisions to question patterns, marking schemes, and weightage. It comprises case-based questions, assertion-reason questions, and short and long replies, which are frequently difficult in psychology. Students learn how questions are phrased and what kind of responses receive full marks.

The marking scheme provided with the class 12 psychology sample paper 2025 demonstrates how to present answers, the usage of keywords, and the distribution of marks. It aids in the production of precise and high-scoring answers.

Psychology Sample Paper Class 12 Pattern

The theory paper of the Psychology exam consists of 70 marks, and all questions are mandatory unless specified otherwise. Candidates have to complete the whole paper within three hours; however, they have 15 minutes prior to reading the question paper.

• The Class 12 psychology Sample paper is divided into five sections, including MCQ, SAQ, and long-type questions.
• Section A (Q1-14): Each question carries 1 mark. Answer as directed.
• Section B (Q15-19): Very Short Answer Type-I questions, 2 marks each. Word limit for each question is 30 words.
• Section C (Q20-23): Short Answer Type-II questions, 3 marks each. Word limit for each question is 60 words.
• Section D (Q24-27): Long Answer Type-I questions, 4 marks each. Word limit for each question is 120 words.
• Section E (Q28-29): Long Answer Type-II questions, 6 marks each. Word limit for each question is 200 words.
• Section F (Q30-33): Case-based questions. One-mark questions: Word limit for each question is 20 words; Two-mark questions: Word limit for each question is 30 words.
• There is no overall choice. However, internal choices have been provided in some questions. A student has to attempt only one of the alternatives in such questions.

Class 12th Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26 PDF Download

The CBSE Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26with solutions or marking scheme is now available for download on the academic portal. You can also download them from the direct link shared below.

Class 12 Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26 with Solutions

Section A

Q1 Neeta is conducting interviews for candidates applying for a senior management role. She uses the same set of questions with each candidate. Why is this type of interview beneficial?
a. It allows candidates to showcase their unique personalities.
b. It helps create a positive impression of the interviewer.
c. It ensures all candidates are assessed using the structured interview.
d. It gives candidates the freedom to discuss any topic they want because it is structured.

Answer: c. It ensures all candidates are assessed using the structured interview.

Q2 Why does a strong sense of social competence enhance a person’s self-esteem?
a. By making them superior to others in every area.
b. By fostering social connection and positive reinforcement.
c. By ensuring that they excel in academic competence as well.
d. By encouraging them to focus solely on physical appearance.

Answer: b. By fostering social connection and positive reinforcement.

Q3 Sonia has to be assessed for abilities such as logical reasoning and clear thinking. The test used by the psychologist will involve the following:
a. Convergent thinking
b. Divergent thinking
c. Both convergent and divergent thinking
d. Open -ended questions

Answer: a. Convergent thinking

Q4 In logotherapy, which of the following is considered essential for coping with life’s challenges?
a. Identifying and altering negative thought patterns to develop a more positive mindset
b. Finding a personal sense of meaning or purpose, even in difficult situations
c. Using reinforcement to increase desired behaviours and reduce problematic ones
d. Replacing irrational beliefs with logical, realistic ones to improve emotional well-being

Ans: b. Finding a personal sense of meaning or purpose, even in difficult situations

Q5 Sachin often calls out answers in class without raising his hand. To change this behaviour, the teacher starts ignoring him when he calls out but praises him every time, he raises his hand before speaking. What strategy is the teacher using?
a. Positive reinforcement
b. Punishment
c. Differential reinforcement
d. Negative reinforcement

Ans. c. Differential reinforcement

Q6 Which of the following best demonstrates the concept of empathy in a therapeutic setting?
a. A therapist offers advice to the client on how to resolve their issues based on personal experiences.
b. A therapist encourages the client to move past their emotions and focus only on logical solutions to their problems.
c. A therapist remains neutral and detached to maintain professionalism, avoiding emotional involvement in the client’s experiences.
d. A therapist carefully listens to the client’s experiences and expresses
understanding of the client’s emotions, allowing the client to feel heard and valued.

Ans: d. A therapist carefully listens to the client’s experiences and expresses understanding of the client’s emotions, allowing the client to feel heard and valued.

Q7 Wellbeing is _____.
a. Maintenance and survival
b. Growth and fulfilment
c. Following the norms of society
d. Not only maintenance and survival but also growth and fulfilment

Answer: d. Not only maintenance and survival but also growth and fulfilment

Q8. Anisha keeps washing her hand after a bout of fever. This continuous washing leads to bruises on her palm. Identify this behaviour.
a. Compulsive behaviour
b. Impulsive behaviour
c. Phobic behaviour
d. Obsessive behaviour

Answer: a. Compulsive behaviour

Q9 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion(A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.

Assertion (A)-In the understanding of abnormal behaviour, the Renaissance period was the Age of Reason and Enlightenment.
Reasoning (R)- Imbalances amongst humours led to disorders, according to the organismic approach.
a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c. A is true but R is false
d. A is false but R is true

Answer: d. A is false but R is true

Q10 In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion(A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A)-Members of teams often have complementary skills and are committed to a common goal or purpose.
Reasoning (R)- An audience is a part of a team. They are polarised in attention, and actions of persons are in a common direction.
a. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
b. Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
c. A is true but R is false
d. A is false but R is true

Answer: c. A is true but R is false

Q11 Togetherness, belongingness and mutual attraction among group members refers to _____________ in a group.
a. Social Loafing
b. Cohesiveness
c. Competition
d. Polarisation

Answer b. Cohesiveness

Q12 Vikas feels stronger and less vulnerable to threats after he has joined the resident’s welfare group. The main reason for joining the group is to ________.

a. Enhance his importance
b. Enhance his security
c. Achieve his power
d. Enhance his self esteem

Answer: b. Enhance his security

Q13 According to the two-step concept proposed by Mohsin, attitude change will take place when:
i. The source has a positive attitude towards the target
ii. The source shows an attitude change, by changing other’s behaviour
iii. The target of change identifies with the source
iv. The target is the person through whose influence change takes place.
a. iii and iv
b. i and iii
c. ii and iii
d. ii and iv

Answer: b. i and iii

Q14 How are relationships in primary groups typically characterised?
a. They are impersonal and indirect
b. They are cold and distant
c. They are warm, emotional, and face-to-face
d. They are rare and infrequent

Answer: c. They are warm, emotional, and face-to-face

Class 12th Psychology Sample Paper 2025-26

Section B

Q 15 Differentiate between life events and hassles. 2
Q16 State any two features of projective techniques. 2
Q17 Does classifying people into personality types overlook the complexities of human behaviour? Give reasons for your answer.

Q18 Distinguish between non-verbal and performance tests of intelligence.  2
Q19 A) How can social loafing be reduced? 2

OR

Q19 B) What are the reasons for the occurrence of group polarisation? Give two reasons

Psychology Class 12 Sample Paper 2025-26

Section C

Q20 An advertising company has been hired to create an advertisement for a new eco-friendly product aimed at young adults. Describe three important characteristics of the target audience that the company should keep in mind when designing the advertisement. (3)
Q21 Analyse the importance of rehabilitation in the recovery of individuals with severe mental illness. (3)
Q22 Aman is experiencing anxiety due to academic pressure. He often thinks, “I am not good enough” and “I am a failure.” These thoughts cause him to withdraw from social activities and friends. How would Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) help Aman manage his anxiety? (3)
Q23 A) Explain the levels of consciousness as stated in the psychodynamic approach.  (3)
OR
Q23 B) Explain the Behavioural Approach to the study of personality 3

Psychology Class 12th Sample Paper CBSE 2025-26

Section D

Q24 Himesh is popular in school but is very rude and indifferent towards students of other schools. Explain the sources of his prejudice.
(4)
Q25 Explain the internal sources of psychological stress. 4
Q26 A) Razia is unhappy with her career despite having a stable job and a good salary.
According to the Humanistic theory of personality, what could be the reason for her dissatisfaction? (4)
OR
Q26 B) Harpreet, a psychologist, is interested in using self-report measures for career counselling of his client. Explain the appropriate tests that he can use. (4)
Q27 How is the Indian concept of intelligence different from the type of intelligence valued in Western countries? Distinguish between these two types of intelligence. (4)

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