CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2026-27
The CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2026-27 defines how marks are awarded in the board examination. It covers the distribution of marks between the theory exam (80 marks) and internal assessment (20 marks), the types of questions and their individual marks, and the 9-point grading system used to determine a student's final grade. Understanding the marking scheme thoroughly can significantly improve a student's approach to answering questions and maximising their score in the 2027 Board Exams.
Overview: CBSE Class 10 Marks Structure 2026-27
|
Component |
Marks |
|
Theory Exam (Board Examination) |
80 Marks |
|
Internal Assessment (School-based) |
20 Marks |
|
Total per Subject |
100 Marks |
|
Exam Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Passing Marks (per subject) |
33% (in theory and internal assessment separately) |
|
Negative Marking |
None |
Internal Assessment Breakdown (20 Marks)
Internal assessment is conducted by the school throughout the academic year and submitted to CBSE.
|
Component |
Marks |
Conducted By |
|
Periodic Tests (Best of two written tests) |
5 |
School |
|
Multiple Assessments (Quizzes, oral tests, group activities) |
5 |
School |
|
Portfolio (Assignments, projects, written work) |
5 |
School |
|
Subject Enrichment Activities (Lab practicals, speaking/listening for English) |
5 |
School |
|
Total |
20 |
Internal assessment marks are submitted by schools to CBSE and are not re-evaluated during board checking.
Theory Paper Marking Scheme: Question-Wise Distribution
Mathematics (Code 041 – Standard | 241 – Basic)
|
Section |
Question Type |
Questions |
Marks Each |
Total |
|
A |
MCQs |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
C |
Short Answer |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
D |
Long Answer |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
E |
Case-Based (Integrated) |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
Total |
80 |
Step Marking Note: In Maths, every logical step in a solution carries marks. Even if the final answer is wrong, correct steps earn marks.
Science (Code 086)
|
Section |
Question Type |
Questions |
Marks Each |
Total |
|
A |
MCQs + Assertion-Reasoning |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
B |
Short Answer – I |
6 |
2 |
12 |
|
C |
Short Answer – II |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
D |
Long Answer |
3 |
5 |
15 |
|
E |
Case-Based Questions |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
Total |
80 |
Social Science (Code 087)
|
Section |
Question Type |
Questions |
Marks Each |
Total |
|
A |
MCQs |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
B |
Very Short Answer |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
C |
Short Answer |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
D |
Long Answer |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
E |
Source-Based (Source + Map) |
2 |
— |
5 + 12 |
|
Total |
80 |
English Language & Literature (Code 184)
|
Section |
Topics |
Marks |
|
A |
Reading Skills (2 unseen passages) |
20 |
|
B |
Writing Skills & Grammar |
20 |
|
C |
Literature (First Flight + Footprints Without Feet) |
40 |
|
Total |
80 |
Competency-Based Question Weightage (2026-27)
As per CBSE's updated framework aligned with NEP 2020, the 2027 board paper follows this question-type distribution:
|
Question Type |
Weightage |
Examples |
|
Competency-Based Questions (MCQs, Case-Based, Source-Based) |
50% |
Applied reasoning, data interpretation, passage-based |
|
Objective Type Questions (MCQs, A-R) |
20% |
Direct knowledge-based MCQs |
|
Constructed Response / Descriptive |
30% |
Short & long answer type |
CBSE Class 10 Grading System 2026-27
CBSE follows a 9-point grading scale for Class 10. Grades are awarded on the final marks secured (theory + internal assessment combined).
|
Marks Range |
Grade |
Grade Point |
|
91 – 100 |
A1 |
10.0 |
|
81 – 90 |
A2 |
9.0 |
|
71 – 80 |
B1 |
8.0 |
|
61 – 70 |
B2 |
7.0 |
|
51 – 60 |
C1 |
6.0 |
|
41 – 50 |
C2 |
5.0 |
|
33 – 40 |
D |
4.0 |
|
21 – 32 |
E1 |
— (Essential Repeat) |
|
00 – 20 |
E2 |
— (Essential Repeat) |
Students receiving E1 or E2 grades must appear for the compartment examination.
How CGPA is Calculated
CBSE Class 10 results include a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) calculated from the best five subjects.
Formula:
CGPA = (Sum of Grade Points of Best 5 Subjects) ÷ 5
To estimate percentage from CGPA:
Approximate Percentage = CGPA × 9.5
|
CGPA |
Approximate Percentage |
|
10.0 |
95% |
|
9.0 |
85.5% |
|
8.0 |
76% |
|
7.0 |
66.5% |
|
6.0 |
57% |
Subject-Wise Pass Criteria
|
Condition |
Requirement |
|
Minimum marks in Theory (per subject) |
26 out of 80 (i.e., 33%) |
|
Minimum marks in Internal Assessment (per subject) |
7 out of 20 (i.e., 33%) |
|
Combined passing condition |
Pass separately in theory AND internal assessment |
|
Compartment criteria |
Failing in 1–2 subjects leads to compartment exam |
|
Essential Repeat criteria |
Failing in more than 2 subjects |
How to Use the Marking Scheme During Preparation
Understanding the official marking scheme — which CBSE releases along with the Sample Question Paper — helps students in two key ways:
|
Use |
Benefit |
|
Know what earns marks |
Write answers with the exact points that examiners look for |
|
Self-evaluation |
Check your own answer papers against the model answers |
|
Step-marking awareness |
In Maths and Science, never skip steps even if you know the shortcut |
|
Word-limit guidance |
Long-answer questions have implied word limits — practice accordingly |
|
Map accuracy (Social Science) |
Map questions have strict location-accuracy requirements |
For deeper practice with marking scheme-aligned solutions, Oswaal Books' Solved Papers with Marking Scheme explain exactly which points earn marks in each answer — a valuable tool for understanding how CBSE examiners evaluate descriptive answers.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no negative marking in any CBSE Class 10 subject.
A student who fails in up to two subjects is eligible for the compartment examination. Failing in three or more subjects requires repeating the year.
Yes. The final mark sheet shows both theory marks and internal assessment marks. Both are combined to calculate the final grade.
Internal assessment is the school's responsibility, but CBSE conducts moderation and verification to ensure fairness.
