8 October 20268 min read
CBSE Class 10 Sample Paper 2026-27: Subject-wise Guide
How each Class 10 sample paper is built, what the marking scheme shows, and a calm way to practise.
CBSE has released the official Class 10 Sample Question Papers and Marking Schemes for 2026-27. This guide explains how each main paper is built, section by section, so you know exactly what to expect before you sit down to practise.
What changed this year
CBSE's notification dated 21 September 2026 says there is no change in the question paper design and assessment pattern for the 2026-27 session. It also says the passing criteria will remain the same as those that applied in the 2025-26 session.
Each subject has two documents: a Sample Question Paper (SQP) and a Marking Scheme (MS) that shows how answers are marked. Both are published on CBSE's academic website.
The papers at a glance
| Subject | Marks | Time | Questions | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Science | 80 | 3 hours | 39 | 3 |
| Maths Standard | 80 | 3 hours | 38 | 5 |
| Maths Basic | 80 | 3 hours | 38 | 5 |
| Social Science | 80 | 3 hours | 38 | 4 |
| English Language and Literature | 80 | 3 hours | 11 | 3 |
| Hindi A | 80 | 3 hours | 15 | 4 |
| Hindi B | 80 | 3 hours | 16 | 4 |
| Computer Applications (theory) | 50 | 2 hours | 26 | 5 |
Science
The Science paper is split by subject: Section A is Biology (30 marks), Section B is Chemistry (25 marks) and Section C is Physics (25 marks).
| Question type | Questions | Marks each |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | 16 | 1 |
| Assertion and reason | 4 | 1 |
| Short answer | 6 | 2 |
| Short answer | 7 | 3 |
| Situation or experiment-based, with sub-parts | 3 | 4 |
| Long answer | 3 | 5 |
All questions are compulsory, with an internal choice in some of them. In this sample, every 5-mark question offers two options, some 2- and 3-mark questions do too, and each 4-mark question lets you pick one of two sub-parts. For a chapter-wise view, read our Class 10 Science paper pattern guide, and revise with the free Class 10 Science notes.
Mathematics Standard and Basic
Both maths papers follow the same layout.
| Section | Question type | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 18 multiple choice + 2 assertion-reason | 20 | 1 each |
| B | Very short answer | 5 | 2 each |
| C | Short answer | 6 | 3 each |
| D | Long answer | 4 | 5 each |
| E | Case study | 3 | 4 each |
There is no overall choice. Internal choice is given in 2 questions each in Sections B, C and D, and in the 2-mark parts of the Section E case studies. The Basic paper states that each case study has parts worth 1, 1 and 2 marks. Calculators are not allowed. The marking schemes say the 1-mark multiple choice questions carry no part marks. Our Class 10 Maths notes follow the NCERT chapters.
Social Science
There are four sections of 20 marks each: History, Geography, Political Science and Economics.
| Question type | Questions | Marks each | Word limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice and assertion-reason | 20 | 1 | – |
| Very short answer | 4 | 2 | 40 words |
| Short answer | 5 | 3 | 60 words |
| Long answer | 4 | 5 | 120 words |
| Case-based, three sub-questions | 3 | 4 | 100 words |
| Map | 2 | 2 (History), 3 (Geography) | – |
There is no overall choice, but a few questions have an internal choice. Separate questions are given to visually impaired candidates in place of map and picture questions. Many answers in the marking scheme also accept "any other relevant point", so clear, well-reasoned points count. Revise with the Class 10 Social Science notes.
English Language and Literature
The English paper has only 11 questions, but most have several parts.
| Section | What you do | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A: Reading | Two passages, 10 marks each | 20 |
| B: Grammar and writing | Any 10 of 12 grammar tasks (1 mark each); one letter from two choices (5); one analytical paragraph of about 120 words from two choices (5) | 20 |
| C: Literature | Two extract questions, each with a choice of two extracts (5 each); any 4 of 5 short answers (3 each); any 2 of 3 short answers (3 each); two long answers of 100–120 words, each a choice of two (6 each) | 40 |
The marking scheme says its value points are guidelines, and answers in your own words get marks if they are correct. It also says that marking more than one option in a multiple choice question gets no marks. Our Class 10 English notes cover each lesson and poem.
Hindi A and Hindi B
Both Hindi papers have four sections (खंड).
| Section | Hindi A | Hindi B |
|---|---|---|
| क: अपठित बोध (unseen passages) | 1 prose + 1 poetry passage, 14 marks | 2 prose passages, 14 marks |
| ख: व्याकरण (grammar) | वाक्य भेद, वाच्य, पद परिचय, अलंकार: any 4 of 5 in each, 16 marks | पदबंध, वाक्य रूपांतरण, समास, मुहावरे: any 4 of 5 in each, 16 marks |
| ग: textbook and supplementary book | 5 questions, 30 marks | 5 questions, 28 marks |
| घ: रचनात्मक लेखन (writing) | 4 questions, 20 marks | 5 questions, 22 marks |
In Section ग, both papers have multiple choice questions on a prose extract and a poetry extract (5 marks each) and short answers where you choose from given questions. In Section घ, Hindi A asks for a paragraph (about 120 words), a letter (about 100 words), a CV or an email (about 80 words), and an advertisement or a greeting message (about 40 words). Hindi B asks for a paragraph, a formal letter, a notice (about 60 words), an advertisement (about 40 words), and an email or a short story. Writing tasks offer internal choice. See the Class 10 Hindi notes for chapter help.
Computer Applications
This is a 50-mark theory paper of 2 hours.
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A: multiple choice, true/false, assertion-reason | 12 | 1 each |
| B | 7 | 2 each |
| C | 4 | 3 each |
| D | 1 | 4 |
| E: source, case or passage-based | 2 | 4 each |
Some questions have an internal choice, and several ask you to write or correct HTML code.
How to use a sample paper
A sample paper helps most when you treat it as a calm practice run, not a test of your worth.
- Do a timed attempt. Finish revising a few chapters first, then sit for the full time (3 hours, or 2 for Computer Applications) without notes.
- Check with the marking scheme. See where each mark is given, not just whether your final answer matches.
- Find weak chapters. List every question where you lost marks and write down its chapter.
- Revise those chapters. Go back to the notes and redo similar questions on Learnijoy Practice.
- Attempt again. After a few days, try another paper and compare.
Take short breaks between study blocks and get a full night's sleep before any practice paper. If you are wondering whether textbooks alone are enough, read Is NCERT enough for Class 10?
Your next step
Pick one subject from the table above and plan its first timed attempt this week. Sign up for Learnijoy to use the study planner and spread your sample papers and revision across the weeks ahead.
Last updated: 9 October 2026. Source: CBSE Class X Sample Question Papers 2026-27 and CBSE notification, 21 September 2026.