CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026 — All Subjects with Solutions
CBSE Class 10 sample papers 2026 for Maths, Science, English, SST, Hindi — official CBSE papers with solutions, marking scheme, and how to use them for maximum.
CBSE releases official Class 10 sample papers with marking schemes at cbseacademic.nic.in. Solve at least 5–8 sample papers per subject before boards. Start 6–8 weeks before exams — first untimed, then under strict exam conditions. This guide covers where to find papers, how to use them, and subject-wise strategies.
Where to Download Official Sample Papers
| Source | URL | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE Academic (Official) | cbseacademic.nic.in | Sample papers + marking schemes for all subjects |
| CBSE Main Site | cbse.gov.in | Previous year question papers |
| NCERT | ncert.nic.in | Exemplar problems (higher difficulty) |
Warning: Avoid random websites selling "leaked papers" or "sure-shot questions." These are fake and may teach you incorrect answers. Only trust official CBSE sources.
Sample Paper Format — All Subjects
| Subject | Total Marks | Duration | Question Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 80 | 3 hours | MCQs (1 mark), Short answer (2–3 marks), Long answer (5 marks), Case-based (4 marks) |
| Science | 80 | 3 hours | MCQs, Assertion-Reason, Short answer, Long answer, Case-based |
| Social Science | 80 | 3 hours | MCQs, Short answer, Long answer, Map work (5 marks), Case-based |
| English | 80 | 3 hours | Reading comprehension, Grammar, Creative writing, Literature (extract + long answer) |
| Hindi | 80 | 3 hours | Unseen passages, Grammar, Literature, Writing |
Subject-Wise Sample Paper Strategy
Mathematics
- Focus areas: Algebra (20 marks), Geometry (15 marks), Trigonometry (12 marks) — these 3 units are 47/80 marks
- Case-based questions: Practise 10–15 case-based Qs from sample papers. These are 4-mark questions with real-world scenarios.
- Time target: Section A (MCQs) in 30 min, Section B (2-mark) in 25 min, Section C (3-mark) in 40 min, Section D (5-mark) in 40 min, Section E (case-based) in 25 min
- Common traps: Not showing steps (step marks matter), calculation errors in Trigonometry, forgetting to write "units" in mensuration answers
Science
- Biology questions are mostly NCERT-based. Memorise diagrams (heart, nephron, brain, flower parts) — diagram questions carry 2–3 marks each.
- Physics numericals: Practise Electricity and Light calculations. Write formula → substitute → calculate → write units. Each step gets marks.
- Chemistry equations: Balance equations and write state symbols (s, l, g, aq). Missing state symbols lose ½ mark each.
- Assertion-Reason MCQs: Read both statements independently, then check the reason-assertion relationship. This question type is new and needs practice.
Practise with chapter-wise questions
Super Tutor has thousands of CBSE Class 10 practice questions with instant feedback — solve chapter-wise to strengthen weak areas before attempting full papers.
Start Practising — FreeSocial Science
- Map work (5 marks): Practise India maps daily — mark rivers, mountains, cities, dams, soil types, industries. This is guaranteed scoring.
- History dates: Make a timeline of events (Nationalism in India: 1905–1947). Examiners give marks for mentioning specific years.
- Economics concepts: Understand graphs (pie charts, bar graphs in Development chapter). Case-based questions often use data interpretation.
- Political Science: Use examples from Indian politics. Define terms precisely — "federalism" means what, not just vague explanations.
English
- Reading section (20 marks): Practise 2 unseen passages daily. Underline keywords in questions before reading the passage. Answers should be in your own words.
- Grammar (10 marks): Focus on tenses, subject-verb agreement, and reported speech. These are the most frequently tested.
- Literature (40 marks): Read every chapter from First Flight and Footprints Without Feet. Extract-based questions test your exact knowledge of the text.
- Writing (10 marks): Practise formal letter format (sender's address, date, receiver's address, subject, body, closing). Wrong format = 2 marks lost immediately.
How to Solve Sample Papers Effectively
| Phase | When | How to Solve | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 6–8 weeks before exam | Untimed, open-book. Check answers after each section. | Understand exam pattern, identify weak topics |
| Phase 2 | 4–6 weeks before exam | Timed (3 hours), closed-book. Check answers only after completing full paper. | Build speed, practise time management |
| Phase 3 | 2–4 weeks before exam | Full exam simulation — no phone, no breaks, strict 3 hours. | Build exam stamina, manage stress |
| Phase 4 | Last 2 weeks | Only re-solve questions you got wrong in earlier papers. | Fill remaining gaps, build confidence |
Marking Scheme Tips — How Examiners Give Marks
- Step marking: Even if your final answer is wrong, you get marks for correct steps. Always show your working.
- Diagrams: Neat, labelled diagrams carry 1–2 marks. Draw with pencil, label with pen.
- Word limit: Respect suggested word limits. Writing too much wastes time; writing too little misses marks.
- Presentation: Underline key terms, number your answers clearly, leave space between answers. Examiners check 30+ papers/day — make yours easy to read.
- Internal choice: Read ALL options before choosing. Sometimes the second option is easier — but students pick the first one out of habit.
Score Tracking Template
Track your sample paper scores to see improvement:
| Paper # | Maths | Science | SST | English | Hindi | Total % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __% |
| Paper 2 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __% |
| Paper 3 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __% |
| Paper 4 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __% |
| Paper 5 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __/80 | __% |
Target: Your score should improve by 5–10 marks per paper. If it plateaus, focus on the specific chapters where you are losing marks.
Download official sample papers only from cbseacademic.nic.in. Marking schemes are included with official papers. Previous year papers are available on cbse.gov.in. Exam pattern based on CBSE 2025–2026 curriculum document. Last updated: February 2026.
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Start preparing — freeFrequently Asked Questions
Where can I download official CBSE Class 10 sample papers?
Official CBSE sample papers are available on cbseacademic.nic.in → Examinations → Sample Question Papers. CBSE releases these in October–November each year. Only download from cbseacademic.nic.in or cbse.gov.in — third-party websites may have outdated or incorrect papers. The official papers come with marking schemes.
How many sample papers should I solve before boards?
Solve at least 5–8 sample papers per subject. Strategy: (1) First 2 papers — untimed, to understand the format and question types, (2) Next 3 papers — timed (3 hours), to build speed and stamina, (3) Last 2–3 papers — under exam conditions (no breaks, no phone, strict timing). Also solve 2–3 previous year papers for each subject.
Are CBSE sample papers enough for board preparation?
Sample papers are essential but not sufficient alone. Use them alongside: (1) NCERT textbook (primary source — 60–70% questions come from NCERT), (2) NCERT exemplar (for higher-order thinking questions), (3) Previous year question papers (last 5 years), (4) Reference books for additional practice. Sample papers help with exam pattern familiarity and time management.
Do questions from sample papers repeat in board exams?
Exact questions rarely repeat, but question PATTERNS and topic coverage are very similar. CBSE sample papers reflect the exact format, difficulty level, and marks distribution of the actual board exam. If you can score 80+ in sample papers consistently, you are likely to score well in the actual exam too.
When should I start solving sample papers?
Start 6–8 weeks before your board exam. By this time, you should have completed at least 80% of the syllabus. Use sample papers for: (1) Identifying weak chapters (first 2 weeks), (2) Practising time management (next 2 weeks), (3) Building exam confidence (last 2 weeks). Do not start too early — you need sufficient syllabus coverage first.
How to analyse my sample paper performance?
After each paper: (1) Check answers using the marking scheme, (2) Mark each question as: correct/partially correct/wrong/unattempted, (3) List the chapters where you lost marks, (4) Categorise errors: silly mistakes vs concept gaps vs time pressure, (5) Focus your next study session on the weakest chapters. Track your scores across papers — you should see improvement.