CBSE Class 10 Total Marks, Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme 2027
CBSE Class 10 exam pattern for the 2027 board exam: 80 marks theory + 20 internal assessment per subject, question types, subject-wise sections and the two-exam system.
CBSE Class 10 Board exam 2027: each subject is 80 marks external + 20 internal = 100. Papers are 3 hours (10:30 am–1:30 pm). Class 10 has two Board exams: the February–March main exam is compulsory, and an optional second exam in May lets you improve up to three subjects. CBSE says there is no change in the question paper design for 2026-27.
Overall Structure
| Component | Marks | Conducted By |
|---|---|---|
| External Exam (Board) | 80 | CBSE |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | Your School |
| Total per Subject | 100 | — |
| Number of Subjects | 5 (main) | — |
| Grand Total | 500 | — |
Across Classes 9–12, CBSE's question design is 50% competency-focused questions, 20% MCQs and 30% short and long answers. There is about 33% internal choice. Read more in our guide to competency-based questions.
Subject-Wise Paper Pattern
Mathematics (80 marks)
| Section | Question Type | Questions | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | MCQs (18) + Assertion-Reason (2) | 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 (sub-parts of 1, 1 and 2 marks) | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Total | 80 | |||
Maths tip: Internal choice is provided in some questions in Sections B, C, D and E. Show all working steps — the marking scheme gives marks for steps.
Science (80 marks)
The Science paper is split into three sections by subject:
| Section | Subject | Questions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Biology | 9 MCQ × 1, 3 × 2, 2 × 3, 1 case × 4, 1 × 5 | 30 |
| B | Chemistry | 8 MCQ × 1, 1 × 2, 2 × 3, 1 case × 4, 1 × 5 | 25 |
| C | Physics | 3 MCQ × 1, 2 × 2, 3 × 3, 1 case × 4, 1 × 5 | 25 |
| Total (20 × 1, 6 × 2, 7 × 3, 3 case × 4, 3 × 5) | 80 | ||
Science tip: Draw labelled diagrams where a question calls for them. Balance chemical equations and include state symbols.
Social Science (80 marks)
Social Science has four sections of 20 marks, one per subject:
| Section | Subject | Questions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | History | 4 MCQ, 1 × 2, 1 × 3, 1 × 5, 1 case × 4, map 2 | 20 |
| B | Geography | 6 MCQ, 1 × 2, 1 × 5, 1 case × 4, map 3 | 20 |
| C | Political Science | 4 MCQ, 2 × 2, 1 × 3, 1 × 5, 1 case × 4 | 20 |
| D | Economics | 6 MCQ, 3 × 3, 1 × 5 | 20 |
| Total (20 MCQ, 4 × 2, 5 × 3, 4 × 5, 3 case × 4, map 5) | 80 | ||
SST tip: Map work is 5 marks in total (History 2 + Geography 3) — practise the prescribed map items regularly. Write point-wise answers, not long paragraphs.
English Language & Literature (80 marks)
| Section | Content | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A — Reading | 2 unseen passages (a discursive passage and a case-based factual passage) | 20 |
| B — Grammar | Gap filling, editing, reported speech and similar tasks | 10 |
| B — Writing | Formal letter, analytical paragraph | 10 |
| C — Literature | Extract-based, short and long answers from First Flight & Footprints without Feet | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
Practise in the board-exam pattern
Super Tutor has chapter-wise practice quizzes, revision notes and board-pattern mock exams for CBSE Class 10.
Try it freeInternal Assessment Breakdown (20 marks)
| Component | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Periodic Assessment | 5 | Pen-paper tests conducted by your school |
| Multiple Assessment | 5 | Quizzes, projects, oral tests, group work and other activities |
| Portfolio | 5 | Classwork, assignments, reflections and achievements through the year |
| Subject Enrichment | 5 | Science: practical work. Maths: lab activities. Languages: listening and speaking. SST: project work. |
Two Board Exams: How They Fit In
The pattern above applies to both Class 10 board exams. The February–March main exam is compulsory for everyone. In May, you can take an optional second exam in up to three of Science, Maths, Social Science and Languages, and the better performance counts. Internal assessment is done once. See our two-exam system guide for the details and how 2026 went.
Time Management Strategy (180 minutes)
At 180 minutes for 80 marks, you have about 2 minutes 15 seconds per mark. A rough plan:
| Question Type | Time to Spend | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Time | 15 min (before the 3 hours) | Read the entire paper. Identify easy questions. Plan your order. |
| MCQs (20 marks) | 25–30 min | About 1–1.5 min per MCQ. Don't overthink. Mark unsure ones. |
| 2-mark answers | 15–20 min | Direct answers. 3–4 lines each. |
| 3-mark answers | 30–35 min | About 5 min per question. Include diagrams where relevant. |
| 5-mark answers | 40–45 min | About 10 min per question. Full steps, diagrams, conclusion. |
| Case-based (4 marks) | 25 min | Read the case carefully. The data you need is usually in it. |
| Review | 15–20 min | Check calculations, answer numbering and missing steps. |
Marking Scheme — How Examiners Give Marks
CBSE publishes a marking scheme with each sample paper that shows where marks go. In general:
| What You Do | Marks Impact |
|---|---|
| Correct method + correct answer | Full marks |
| Correct method + calculation error | Method marks given; the answer mark is lost |
| Correct steps + wrong final answer | Step marks as per the marking scheme |
| Only final answer (no steps) | Loses the step marks in 3- and 5-mark questions |
| Labelled diagram where asked | Diagrams carry marks when the question or marking scheme asks for them |
| Units missing in numericals | Can cost the answer mark |
| MCQ | Marks only for the correct option |
Quick Tips for Maximum Marks
- Attempt every question. No negative marking. A partly correct subjective answer can still earn marks.
- Show all steps in Maths and Science. Steps carry marks.
- Draw diagrams. Neat, labelled diagrams where the question calls for them. Use pencil for drawing, pen for labelling.
- Write in points, not paragraphs (for Social Science and English literature).
- Underline key terms in your answers so the examiner finds them quickly.
- Use the reading time wisely. Plan which questions to answer first. Start with your strongest section.
- Keep 15 minutes for review. Check for silly mistakes, missing units and unanswered questions.
Based on the CBSE Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 and the Class X sample question papers for 2026-27 (cbseacademic.nic.in), which CBSE says keep the same question paper design. Always check the official sample paper for your subject.
Turn this into exam marks
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the total marks in CBSE Class 10 board exam?
Each subject has 100 marks: 80 marks in the board exam + 20 marks internal assessment. You take 5 main subjects: English, Hindi/second language, Mathematics, Science and Social Science, so the total across 5 subjects is 500. CBSE does not compute an overall percentage. If you fail Science, Maths or Social Science but pass a skill subject taken as your 6th subject, the skill subject replaces the failed one.
What types of questions are asked in CBSE Class 10?
MCQs and assertion-reason questions (1 mark), very short answer (2 marks), short answer (3 marks), long answer (5 marks) and case-based questions (4 marks, three sub-parts). In Maths, Science and Social Science, MCQs carry 20 of the 80 marks. CBSE says about 50% of questions are competency-focused.
How is internal assessment calculated in CBSE Class 10?
Internal assessment is 20 marks per subject: Periodic Assessment 5 (pen-paper tests), Multiple Assessment 5 (quizzes, projects, activities and similar), Portfolio 5 and Subject Enrichment 5 (practical work in Science, lab activities in Maths, listening and speaking in languages). Your school awards these marks.
Is there negative marking in CBSE Class 10?
No. There is no negative marking in CBSE board exams, so attempt every question. Subjective answers are marked step by step, so a partly correct answer can still earn marks.
How much time is given for CBSE Class 10 exam?
3 hours for the 80-mark paper (10:30 am to 1:30 pm), plus 15 minutes of reading time before writing begins. Use the reading time to read the whole paper and plan your order.
What is the passing marks in CBSE Class 10?
You need at least 33% in each subject. CBSE relaxed the separate-pass rule in 2018, but its 2026-27 curriculum says 33% must be secured separately in external and internal components. Until CBSE clarifies, play safe: aim for at least 27/80 in theory and 7/20 in internal assessment. If you don't clear a subject in the February–March main exam, you can be placed in the Compartment category and take it again in the May second exam.