How to Download CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 10th, 12th?
Students willing to know how to download CBSE previous year question papers for class 10th and 12th can check the instructions to download CBSE PYQ, along with where to get CBSE sample paper PDF for previous year questions that will help them to know the exam pattern, important topics, and boost time management for better scores.
CBSE Board Exam 2026 Previous Year Question Papers: The Central Board of Secondary Education releases the sample papers for classes 10 and 12 board students every year. Students who are willing to download CBSE previous year question papers for class 10th and 12th must practice the sample papers in order to enhance their preparation and to boost their confidence. The class 10 and 12 CBSE previous year question papers will further help students to understand the exam pattern & the type of questions asked in the board examination.
The Central Board of Secondary Education announced the CBSE Date Sheet 2026 on its website. According to the announced dates, the CBSE Board class 10th exams 2026 will take place between February 17 and March 11, 2026 and CBSE Class 12th exams 2026 from February 17 to April 10, 2026, in pen and paper format.
In this article, we will discuss the ways to download the CBSE Class 10, 12 previous years question papers, the benefits of practising them and more.
- Is Practising Previous Year CBSE Question Papers Beneficial?
- How to download Previous Year CBSE Question Papers online?
- CBSE Exam 2026 Preparation Tips for 10th and 12th
Is Practising Previous Year CBSE Question Papers Beneficial?
The CBSE Board Exams 2026 Class 10, 12 will be conducted in February/ March. While completing the CBSE 10th Syllabus 2026/ CBSE 12th Syllabus 2026 is important, one of the vital parts of the CBSE Board Exam 2026 preparation journey is also to solve previous year CBSE question papers. Solving CBSE previous year question papers class 10 will help them to score good marks and also boost their confidence for the examination.
Practising CBSE previous year question papers plays a vital role in one's performance in CBSE Board Exams 2026. Solving question papers helps students understand topics with maximum weightage, marking scheme, types of questions, and year-on-year difficulty level of the CBSE question papers. The Board provides previous year question papers of all subjects online through its official website, i.e. cbse.gov.in. Download previous year CBSE question papers online through the official website.
Commonly asked questions
The new CBSE Class 10 question paper 2026 format is given below.
Competency-Based Questions | 50% weightage (MCQs, case study-based, source-based) |
Short & Long Answer Questions | 30% weightage (descriptive/analytical) |
Objective-Type Questions | 20% weightage (short, fact-based) |
Theory Exam | 80 marks |
Internal Assessment | 20 marks (practicals, tests, assignments, projects) |
It is recommended to solve 8 to 10 CBSE 10th exam per subject. This builds confidence of candidates. Practising the same also improves speed.
CBSE Class 10 exam consists of 5 main compulsory subjects-Language 1, Language 2, Mathematics, Science, and Social Science. Students take 6 to 7 subjects including optional or skill subjects. Each main subject includes an 80 mark theory paper and 20 mark internal assessment.
How to download Previous Year CBSE Question Papers online?
Students may check and download the previous year CBSE question papers following the instructions below:
- Go to the official website of the board, i.e., cbse.gov.in.
- On the homepage, navigate and click on the ‘board examination’ link
- Go to the ‘Previous years question papers’.
- The CBSE 10th question paper link/ CBSE 12th question paper link will be displayed
- Select the desired question papers from the links provided
- Select the subject of choice
- Download and practice the previous year's CBSE question papers
CBSE Exam 2026 Preparation Tips for 10th and 12th
Students should create a proper timetable for the CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams 2026 and follow it regularly. Before starting their preparation, it is important to understand the complete CBSE syllabus 2026 and focus on the topics that need to be covered. For the CBSE 12th exam, more than 90% of the questions are from NCERT books, so students must study NCERT thoroughly and clear all their doubts for better preparation. Further, students must solve CBSE previous year question papers to ensure they secure good marks in the board exam.

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