CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers
CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs) are among the most powerful resources for board exam preparation. Solving previous year papers gives students a direct understanding of how CBSE frames questions, what topics are asked repeatedly, and how the marking scheme is applied in real board exams.
For students preparing for the 2027 Board Examinations, solving at least 10 years of previous year papers is strongly recommended across all core subjects. These papers are available subject-wise on the official CBSE website and from academic publishers.
Key Benefits of Solving CBSE Class 10 PYQ Papers
|
Benefit |
Explanation |
|
Real exam experience |
PYQs are actual board papers — nothing simulates the exam better |
|
Question trend analysis |
Identify chapters and question types that CBSE repeats consistently |
|
Marks distribution clarity |
See how marks are spread across units in previous years |
|
Time management practice |
Train yourself to complete 80 marks in 3 hours |
|
Marking scheme insight |
Compare your answers with official model answers |
|
Confidence building |
Solving multiple papers reduces exam-day anxiety significantly |
CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Papers: Year-Wise Availability
|
Academic Year |
Board Exam Year |
Availability |
|
2024-25 |
March 2025 |
Available on cbse.gov.in |
|
2023-24 |
March 2024 |
Available on cbse.gov.in |
|
2022-23 |
March 2023 |
Available on cbse.gov.in |
|
2021-22 |
Term 1 (Nov 2021) + Term 2 (May 2022) |
Available — note dual-term format |
|
2020-21 |
Not conducted (COVID) |
— |
|
2019-20 |
March 2020 |
Available |
|
2018-19 |
March 2019 |
Available |
|
2017-18 |
March 2018 |
Available |
|
2016-17 |
March 2017 |
Available |
|
2015-16 |
March 2016 |
Available |
Important Note: The 2021-22 papers followed a Term 1 + Term 2 format and should be used alongside regular papers for practice. The pattern has since reverted to a single annual board exam.
Subject-Wise High-Frequency Topics from Previous Year Papers
Mathematics
|
Chapter |
Frequency of Appearance |
|
Real Numbers |
Every year — Fundamental Theorem, irrationality proofs |
|
Quadratic Equations |
Every year — word problems and discriminant-based |
|
Triangles |
Every year — similarity proofs and case-based |
|
Circles |
Every year — tangent theorems |
|
Arithmetic Progressions |
Every year — AP sum and nth term |
|
Heights and Distances |
Every year — 5-mark application problem |
|
Surface Areas & Volumes |
Every year — combined solids |
|
Statistics |
Every year — mean/median/mode calculations |
|
Probability |
Every year — at least 2 MCQs |
Science
|
Chapter |
Frequency of Appearance |
|
Chemical Reactions & Equations |
Every year — balancing and types |
|
Heredity & Evolution |
Every year — cross-diagrams (Mendelian genetics) |
|
Light |
Every year — mirror/lens formula numericals + ray diagrams |
|
Electricity |
Every year — Ohm's Law numericals, circuit questions |
|
Life Processes |
Every year — diagram labelling (heart, nephron) |
|
Carbon Compounds |
Every year — functional groups, IUPAC naming |
|
Control & Coordination |
Most years — reflex arc, hormones |
|
Reproduction |
Most years — asexual methods, human reproduction diagram |
Social Science
|
Discipline |
Frequently Asked Topics |
|
History |
Nationalism in India (Gandhi, Non-Cooperation Movement) |
|
Geography |
Map work — rivers, dams, soil types (mandatory every year) |
|
Political Science |
Federalism, Power Sharing — scenario-based questions |
|
Economics |
Development indicators, Money & Credit — case studies |
English
|
Section |
Recurring Patterns |
|
Reading |
Factual passage + discursive passage — both appear every year |
|
Writing |
Formal letters and analytical paragraph — every year |
|
Grammar |
Editing, gap-fill, transformation — fixed format every year |
|
Literature |
Extract-based questions from both textbooks — every year |
How to Solve Previous Year Papers Effectively
|
Step |
Action |
|
Step 1 |
Complete the full syllabus before starting PYQ practice |
|
Step 2 |
Solve each paper under strict 3-hour timed conditions |
|
Step 3 |
Self-evaluate using the official CBSE marking scheme |
|
Step 4 |
Record your scores in a tracking sheet |
|
Step 5 |
Analyse each error — is it conceptual, careless, or time-related? |
|
Step 6 |
Revisit the relevant NCERT chapter for every conceptual error |
|
Step 7 |
Re-attempt the same paper after 1–2 weeks |
PYQ Practice Schedule for 2027 Board Preparation
|
Time Period |
Suggested Activity |
|
August – September 2026 |
Solve PYQs chapter-wise as you complete each topic |
|
October – November 2026 |
Solve 2–3 full previous year papers per subject |
|
December 2026 |
Solve remaining years; analyse mistakes; targeted revision |
|
January 2027 |
Timed full-length tests alternating with SQPs and PYQs |
|
February 2027 |
Solve the most recent 2 years' papers again for final check |
Marks Improvement from PYQ Practice: Typical Student Data
|
Number of PYQs Solved per Subject |
Average Score Improvement |
|
0–2 papers |
Minimal impact |
|
3–5 papers |
8–12 marks improvement |
|
6–8 papers |
12–18 marks improvement |
|
9–10+ papers |
15–25 marks improvement |
Data based on commonly reported student experiences. Results may vary.
How to Download CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Papers
-
Visit cbse.gov.in or cbseacademic.nic.in
-
Navigate to "Examination" → "Previous Years' Question Papers"
-
Select "Class X" and the relevant subject
-
Download the PDF for the required year
For solved previous year papers with detailed step-by-step solutions and examiner comments, Oswaal Books' 10 Years Solved Papers for Class 10 provides papers from 2015 to 2025 with official marking scheme-based answers and trend analysis — helping students prepare smarter, not just harder.
Difference Between PYQs and Sample Papers
|
Feature |
Previous Year Papers |
Sample Papers |
|
Source |
Actual CBSE board exams |
CBSE SQP or publishers |
|
Authenticity |
Highest — real exam papers |
Designed to simulate exam |
|
Number available |
10+ years per subject |
1 official + multiple practice sets |
|
Purpose |
Trend analysis + real exam practice |
Blueprint understanding + volume practice |
|
Recommended use |
Later in preparation (Oct–Feb) |
Throughout the year |
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While specific deleted topics should be skipped, most core chapters remain consistent. Always cross-check questions against the 2026-27 syllabus before solving.
Solving the last 10 years of papers is the ideal benchmark for thorough trend coverage.
CBSE publishes the official marking scheme along with the question paper on cbse.gov.in after each board exam.
Yes, solving all sets of a year's paper gives 3x the practice and exposes you to a wider variety of questions from the same syllabus.
