Maharashtra HSC CS Practical Exam 2026: Viva Questions & Journal Guide

The HSC CS Practical Exam 2026 is not just a hurdle; it is a golden opportunity to boost your overall percentage. Since Computer Science is a 200-mark subject in the Maharashtra State Board (divided into CS-1 and CS-2), the practical component accounts for a massive 100 marks.

Whether you are struggling with 8085 Assembly Language or feeling nervous about the examiner’s viva questions, this guide is designed to help you navigate the 2026 practical season with confidence.

Understanding the HSC CS Practical Exam 2026 Structure

For the academic year 2025-26, the Maharashtra State Board has maintained a rigorous yet rewarding structure. Each paper (CS-1 Software and CS-2 Hardware) carries 50 marks for the practical exam.

Component	Marks Distribution (Per Paper)
Certified Journal	10 Marks
Viva-Voce	10 Marks
Experiments/Programs	30 Marks
Total	50 Marks

Note: To secure full marks in the journal section, your certified book must contain all the required C++, HTML, and 8085 experiments as per the latest 2026 syllabus.

CS-1: Software Practical Guide (C++ & HTML)

The HSC CS Practical Exam 2026 for Paper 1 focuses heavily on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and Web Development.

Essential C++ Programs for 2026

1. Array Sorting: Implementing Bubble Sort to arrange 10 real numbers in ascending or descending order.

2. Pointers & Arrays: Summing elements of an array by traversing it using a pointer.

3. Classes and Objects: Creating a Circle or Triangle class to calculate area and circumference using constructors.

4. Operator Overloading: Adding two complex numbers or strings.

5. File Handling: Reading data from two separate files (e.g., Country and Capital) and displaying them together.

HTML & Web Design Experiments

Students are expected to write clean, semantic HTML code. Common tasks include:

• Creating a table with a border and background color.

• Using the <marquee> tag for scrolling text.

• Integrating hyperlinks and images with proper pathing.

Looking for the most important theory topics? Check out the HSC 12th CS-1 Important Questions 2026 on College Simplified.

CS-2: Hardware Practical Guide (8085 Microprocessor)

The hardware section is often what students fear most, but the 8085 experiments follow a very logical pattern.

High-Priority 8085 Assembly Language Programs (ALP)

• Arithmetic Operations: Addition and subtraction of 8-bit and 16-bit Hexadecimal numbers.

• Block Transfer: Copying a block of data from one memory location to another.

• Finding Extremes: Writing an ALP to find the largest or smallest number in a given array.

• Sorting: Arranging data in an array in ascending order.

• Logical Operations: Programs to find the 1’s and 2’s complement of a number.

Don't Fear the Viva: Common Questions 2026

The viva-voce is a 10-minute interaction that tests your conceptual clarity. Here are the most frequently asked questions for the HSC CS Practical Exam 2026:

For C++ (Paper 1)

• What is the difference between a Constructor and a Destructor?

• Can you explain the concept of 'Inheritance' with a real-life example?

• What is a pointer, and how does it store an address?

• What is the purpose of the iostream header file?

For 8085 Microprocessor (Paper 2)

• What is the function of the Accumulator?

• Name the five flags available in the 8085 Flag Register.

• What is the difference between LDA and STA instructions?

• Explain the role of the Program Counter (PC) and Stack Pointer (SP).

Tips for a Perfect CS Journal

Your journal is the first thing an external examiner sees. Follow these steps to ensure it passes the HSC CS Practical Exam 2026 standards:

1. Completeness: Ensure all 10–12 experiments for each paper are written.

2. Flowcharts: Every C++ and 8085 program must be accompanied by a neat flowchart.

3. Observations: Do not leave the result/output section blank. Write the expected output clearly.

4. Certification: Ensure your subject teacher and Principal have signed the certificate page before the exam date.

CTA: Master the hardware section with the 12th HSC CS-2 Most Important Questions 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the marking scheme for the HSC CS Practical Exam 2026? 

The practical exam is conducted for 100 marks (50 per paper). This includes 20 marks for the journal, 20 marks for viva, and 60 marks for actual programming and experiments.

Q2: Is the 8085 Microprocessor kit used during the exam?

Yes, for CS-2, you will be required to enter and execute your Assembly Language Program on an 8085 trainer kit or an emulator provided by the college.

Q3: Can I lose marks if my journal is not certified? 

Yes. An uncertified journal can lead to a loss of 10 marks per paper. Always get your journal verified by your teacher well before the HSC CS Practical Exam 2026 begins.

Q4: Which is the most important chapter for the CS-1 practical? 

C++ Programming carries the highest weightage (approx. 41 marks including options in theory and a major chunk of the practicals).

Conclusion

The keys to acing your practicals are regular lab attendance and a well-maintained journal. If you understand the logic behind the 8085 instruction set and C++ classes, the viva will be a breeze. Good luck for your 2026 boards!