CBSE Class 10 Science Sample Papers 2027: Competency-Based Questions to Practise Before Boards

What Are Competency Based Questions in CBSE Class 10 Science

A competency-based question is “Can you apply what you learned in a new situation?” You read a scenario, you think and answer.

Below is the difference:

• Direct question: What is the law of reflection?
• CBSE Competency Based Questions Class 10: A ray strikes a plane mirror at an angle of 30° to the normal. What is the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray?

First question requires memory. Second question requires the law and a little thinking.

Recent papers of Science have kept a good share of these questions by CBSE. About half of the paper in the 2025-26 session was competency-focused. Check the latest sample paper Class 10 Science on cbseacademic.nic.in for the 2027 exam.

CBSE Class 10 Science Paper Pattern 2027: Quick Overview

The Science paper has 80 marks theory part and 20 marks internal assessment. The theory paper takes 3 hours. The recent pattern has five parts:

• Section A: 20 questions of 1 mark each (16 MCQs and 4 assertion reason questions) Total: 20 Marks
• Section B: 6 very short answer type questions carrying 2 marks each. Total: 12 marks.
• Section C: 7 short answer questions carrying 3 marks each. Total: 21 marks.
• Section D: 3 Long answer type questions, each carrying 5 marks. Total: 15 marks
• Section E: 3 case based questions of 4 marks each. Total: 12 marks.

Types of Competency-Based Questions to Practice 

MCQs

They try one idea at a time. Many tell of a small experiment or daily-life event. Be sure to read all four options before choosing one.

Assertion-Reason Type Questions

You get two statements. An assertion (A) and a reason (R). Determine whether each is true. Then judge whether R explains A. First, judge each statement separately.

Case-Based & Source-Based Questions

You are given a short passage, a table or an experimental setup. Then you answer three or four little questions about it. Each question is worth 1 or 2 marks. The answers are from the passage and your ideas combined.

Questions on Diagrams, Graphs and Data

You read a food chain or a graph, a circuit or a ray diagram. Then you tag it, annotate it, or find a value for it. Practice drawing neat labelled drawings.

Application & Practical Scenario Questions

This section connects a chapter to daily life. Why a metal spoon gets hot when placed in tea, or why a doctor suggests a concave mirror for a dentist’s tool. Ask yourself, “Which concept sits behind this?”

Chapter-Wise Focus: Where Competency-Based Questions Come From 

Class 10 Science syllabus has five units. Any chapter can bring a competency-based question.  Here is what to expect from each unit. 

1. Chemical Substances (Chemical Reactions, Acids Bases and Salts, Metals and Non-Metals, Carbon Compounds) 

Expect reaction-based questions. You may balance an equation, name the type of reaction, predict a product, or read a pH value. Displacement reactions and reactivity series appear often. 

2. World of the Living (Life Processes, Control and Coordination, Reproduction, Heredity)

Student can expect diagram and process questions for example, path of blood in the heart, the reflex arc and cross-based problems in heredity.

3. Natural Phenomena (Light: Reflection and Refraction, The Human Eye)

Expect ray diagrams and numericals. Practice sign convention, mirror formula and lens formula. Eye defects and their correction are good case-study topics.

4. Effect of Current (Electricity, Magnetic Effects of Electric Current)

Be ready to be asked about circuits. Total resistance, current or available power. Questions on magnetic field lines diagrams and right-hand rule.

5. Our Environment (Natural Resources)

Expect food webs, energy flow and waste scenarios. These are often source based questions which need clear reading.

Step-Wise Solution Process for Class 10 Science Sample Paper

1. Start with a 3 hours timer. Keep notes & phone away. 
2. Spend first 15 minutes in section A. Don’t leave any 1 mark questions unattempted.
3. Read the case study passage first before reading questions. 
4. Write diagram and equation steps clearly. Steps get marks.
5. Compare your answer with marking scheme. Note down the mistakes types (concept gap, careless mistake, or time problem).
6. Reattempt wrong question after 2 days. 

4-Week Science Practice Plan for Board Exams

Week 1: Revision of Concepts & Chapter Wise Questions 

Revise one chapter of your NCERT book every 2 days. Solve chapter wise questions after every revision.

Week 2: Case Based & Assertion-Reason Practice

Do 5-6 case-based questions and 10 assertion-reason questions daily. Check each answer and write down why you got it wrong.

Week 3: Full-Length Timed Practice Tests

Solve one full paper every 2 days in 3 hours. Review each paper the following day.

Week 4: Error Correction & Last-Minute Revisions

Re-read your error notes. Redesign the key diagrams. Review formulas, equations and definitions. Do one last paper two or three days before the exam.

How to Select the Best Class 10 Science Practice Paper

Find these points in any sample paper book:

• It is based on the latest CBSE pattern and blueprint for 2027.
• It contains MCQs, Assertion-Reason, Case Based and Long Answer Questions.
• It provides step-wise solutions with a marking scheme.
• It has enough papers with an easy-to-hard range.

Oswaal Class 10 Science Sample Papers follow the same checklist. Check the latest CBSE sample paper before buying the paper pattern only.

Read More - CBSE Class 10 Maths Sample Papers 2027: Marking Scheme, Blueprint & Last-Minute Tips

Conclusion

Practice by Question Type. Time yourself. Review each error and rework the question. And that cycle will get you better grades faster than reading will.

Start with a full paper this week. Oswaal Class 10 Science Sample Papers can help you practise with 2027 pattern.

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