CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026-27
CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026-27 are officially released by the Central Board of Secondary Education on its website. These are also called Sample Question Papers (SQP) and serve as the most authentic preview of what the actual 2027 Board Exam paper will look like. Practising sample papers is one of the most effective strategies for scoring high in the CBSE Class 10 Board Examination.
The official CBSE SQP includes the question paper along with the marking scheme, allowing students to understand exactly how answers should be written and how marks are awarded — including step marking for Maths and Science.
Key Highlights: CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026-27
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Issued By |
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
|
Available At |
cbseacademic.nic.in |
|
Applicable For |
2027 Board Examinations |
|
Theory Marks |
80 Marks |
|
Internal Assessment |
20 Marks |
|
Exam Duration |
3 Hours |
|
Medium |
English and Hindi |
|
Includes |
Question Paper + Official Marking Scheme |
|
Question Types |
MCQs, Case-Based, Short Answer, Long Answer |
What is a CBSE Sample Question Paper (SQP)?
A Sample Question Paper (SQP) is an officially designed paper by CBSE that mirrors the actual board exam in terms of:
-
Question pattern and format
-
Marks distribution across units
-
Types of questions (objective, competency-based, descriptive)
-
Difficulty level
-
Time management expectations
The CBSE also releases a Marking Scheme alongside the SQP, which provides model answers and guidelines for evaluation — the same guidelines used by board examiners during actual checking.
Subject-Wise CBSE Sample Paper Structure 2026-27
Mathematics (Standard & Basic)
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
Section A |
MCQs |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Section B |
Very Short Answer |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
Section C |
Short Answer |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Section D |
Long Answer |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
Section E |
Case-Based (Source-Based) |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
Total |
80 |
Science
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
Section A |
MCQs + Assertion-Reasoning |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Section B |
Short Answer – I |
6 |
2 |
12 |
|
Section C |
Short Answer – II |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
Section D |
Long Answer |
3 |
5 |
15 |
|
Section E |
Case-Based Questions |
3 |
4 |
12 |
|
Total |
80 |
Social Science
|
Section |
Question Type |
No. of Questions |
Marks Each |
Total Marks |
|
Section A |
MCQs |
20 |
1 |
20 |
|
Section B |
Very Short Answer |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Section C |
Short Answer |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
Section D |
Long Answer |
4 |
5 |
20 |
|
Section E |
Map-Based Questions |
2 |
— |
5+12 |
|
Total |
80 |
English Language and Literature
|
Section |
Topics |
Marks |
|
Section A |
Reading Skills (2 passages) |
20 |
|
Section B |
Writing Skills and Grammar |
20 |
|
Section C |
Literature (First Flight + Footprints Without Feet) |
40 |
|
Total |
80 |
Why Practice CBSE Sample Papers?
Practising CBSE sample papers regularly offers multiple advantages:
|
Benefit |
How It Helps |
|
Familiarity with paper pattern |
Know exactly what question types to expect |
|
Time management |
Practice completing 80 marks in 3 hours |
|
Identify weak areas |
Spot chapters where you lose marks consistently |
|
Writing practice |
Improve answer structuring for descriptive questions |
|
Marking scheme insight |
Learn how examiners award partial/step marks |
|
Confidence building |
Reduce exam anxiety through repeated exposure |
CBSE SQP vs Practice Sample Papers: Key Difference
|
Feature |
CBSE Official SQP |
Practice Sample Papers (Publishers) |
|
Source |
CBSE (Official) |
Publishers/educators |
|
Marking Scheme |
Official CBSE marking scheme |
Model answers by experts |
|
Number Available |
1 per subject per year |
Multiple sets available |
|
Purpose |
Blueprint of actual exam |
Volume practice and coverage |
|
Availability |
cbseacademic.nic.in |
Bookstores, online platforms |
Both types should be used in preparation. The official SQP gives the exact feel of the board paper, while additional sample paper sets provide the volume of practice needed to build speed and accuracy.
Sample Paper Schedule (Last 3 Months Before Boards)
|
Month |
Activity |
|
November 2026 |
Complete syllabus; solve official CBSE SQP for all subjects once |
|
December 2026 |
Solve 2–3 additional sample paper sets per subject; analyse mistakes |
|
January 2027 |
Full-length timed tests under exam conditions; revise weak areas |
|
February 2027 |
Final revision + solve 1 sample paper per subject in last week |
How to Effectively Analyse a Sample Paper
-
Solve under timed conditions — strictly 3 hours, no distractions.
-
Self-evaluate using the marking scheme — even partial credit matters.
-
Note every question you got wrong — categorise by chapter or concept.
-
Revisit the NCERT chapter for every incorrect answer.
-
Re-attempt weak questions after revision.
How to Download CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026-27
-
Go to cbseacademic.nic.in
-
Navigate to "Question Paper Design / Sample Question Paper"
-
Select Class X
-
Download the SQP and Marking Scheme for each subject
Frequently Missed Question Types in Sample Papers
Based on previous years' SQPs, students often lose marks on:
|
Subject |
Common Mistake Areas |
|
Mathematics |
Case-based questions; step marking in geometry proofs |
|
Science |
Assertion-Reasoning questions; diagram-labelling |
|
Social Science |
Map-pointing questions; source-based analysis |
|
English |
Analytical paragraph writing: grammar application in context |
For comprehensive sets of sample papers designed specifically for the 2027 CBSE boards, Oswaal Books' Sample Papers come with the official SQP, Topper's Answers, and detailed marking-scheme-based solutions — making it easier to bridge the gap between practice and perfection.
Frequently Asked Questions
CBSE typically releases the official sample papers for Class 10 on cbseacademic.nic.in between September and October of the academic year.
No, but it is designed on the exact same blueprint as the board exam, making it the closest available reference.
It is best to complete each chapter before solving a sample paper. However, you can attempt unit-wise practice tests during the syllabus period.
Ideally, solve the official SQP plus at least 5–8 additional full-length sample papers per subject.
