CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: Check Latest CBSE Class 10 Pattern & Marking Scheme

CBSE 10th 2026 ( CBSE 10th )

Jasleen Taneja
Updated on Sep 12, 2025 00:43 IST

By Jasleen Taneja

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026 on the official website. CBSE released the CBSE class 10 marking scheme 2026 along with the CBSE class 10 sample papers 2026 and syllabus at cbseacademic.nic.in

Students preparing for the CBSE 10th exams 2026 can check the CBSE class 10 exam pattern 2026 on this page below. The CBSE exam pattern mentions the types of questions asked in the exam, the difficulty level, duration, and more. Students must go through the CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 carefully to strategize their preparation. CBSE 10th board exams 2026 will be held twice this year. The Phase 1 of CBSE Class 10 exams 2026 will be held between February 17 and March 6, 2026 while the CBSE 10th exams 2026 Phase 2 will be conducted between May 5 and 20, 2026. 

The CBSE 10th syllabus 2026 is released online at cbseacademic.nic.in. Students can click the Syllabus tab and download the CBSE 10th syllabus 2026 for all subjects.

Table of content
  • Subject-wise CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026 Overview
  • Subject-wise CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026 PDFs
  • CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Science
  • CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Maths
  • CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Social Science
  • CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for English (Language and Literature)
  • CBSE Assessment Scheme 2026
  • FAQs on CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026
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CBSE 10th Logo

Subject-wise CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026 Overview

CBSE Class 10

Language 1 (Hindi – Course A or Course B or English Language and Literature or English Communicative)

Compulsory

Language 2 (Anyone from the Group of Languages)

Social science

Mathematics - Basic or Mathematics Standard

Science

Skill based Subject/ Elective Subject

Optional

Language 3

Health and Physical Education

Compulsory subjects having only school-based internal assessment

Work Experience

Art Education

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Can you please share CBSE 10th Social Science exam pattern 2025?
A: 

Given below is the exam structure of CBSE class 10 social science 2025. Students can refer to it to plan their preparation:

Section

No. of questions

Type of questions

Marks per question

Total weightage (marks)

A

20

MCQs

1

20

B

4

Very short answer type questions

2

8

C

5

Short answer type questions

3

15

D

4

Long answer type questions

5

20

E

3

Case based questions

4

12

F

1

Map based

5

5

Total

37

 

 

80

Q:   Where can I find and download the CBSE 10th Maths sample papers?
A: 

You can check and download the CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Sample Paper 2026 by clicking on the link provided. It is advised that you solve the sample paper in one sitting in the stipulated time for better practice. 

 To download the CBSE 10th sample papers 2026 for other subjects-  Click here.

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Subject-wise CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026 PDFs

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is CBSE 10th Home Science syllabus 2025?
A: 

The CBSE 10th Home Science syllabus 2025 PDF download is provided below. Students can check here the distribution of marks for different chapters-

1 Concept and scope of Home Science Education and recent trends - 03 marks
2 Human growth & Development – I 08 marks
3 Family and Values- 08 marks
4 Food, Nutrition and Health -15 marks
5 Fiber and Fabric -15 marks
6 Resource Management -14 marks
7 Measures of Safety and Management of Emergencies -07 marks

Practical exams will be conducted for 30 marks.

Click here to download the complete CBSE 10th Home Science Syllabus 2025

CBSE 10th Logo

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Science

Type of Questions

No. of Questions

Marks

1 Mark

20

20 × 1= 20

2 Marks

6

6 × 2= 12

3 Marks

7

7× 3= 21

4 Marks

3

3 × 4= 12

5 Marks

3

5 × 3 = 15

Total

39

80

Internal assessment

-

20

 

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What is the new CBSE exam pattern of class 10 Science for all subjects?
A: 

You can refer to the pattern listed below for CBSE 10th Science exam 2025:

CBSE Class 10 Science 2025: Topic-wise Weightage 

Unit and Topic

Weightage (marks)

Unit 1: Chemical Substances: Nature and Behaviour

25

Unit 2: World of Living

25

Unit 3: Natural Phenomena

12

Unit 4: Effects of Current

13

Unit 5: Natural Resources

5

TOTAL MARKS (THEORY)

80

TOTAL MARKS (INTERNAL ASSESSMENT)

20

GRAND TOTAL

100

CBSE 10th Logo

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Maths

Type of Questions

No. of Questions

Marks

1 Mark

20

20 × 1= 20

2 Marks

5

5 × 2= 10

3 Marks

6

6× 3= 18

4 Marks

3

3 × 4= 12

5 Marks

4

5 × 4 = 20

Total

38

80

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for Maths - Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment

Marks

Total Marks

Pen Paper Test and Multiple Assessment (5+5)

10

20 marks

Lab Practical (Lab activities to be done from the prescribed books)

5

Portfolio

5

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   How many CBSE 10th Mathematics question papers should I practice?
A: 

Students must ensure to solve atleast one previous year CBSE 10th Mathematics question paper every day to efficiently prepare for the CBSE 10th Mathematics board exam. The more, the better.

Make sure to practice the question papers during the last month of the preparation. 

CBSE 10th Logo

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for Social Science

Type of Questions

No. of Questions

Total Marks

1 Mark Questions

20

20

2 Mark Questions

4

8

3 Mark Questions

5

15

5 Marks Questions

5

25

4 Mark Questions

3

12

Total

37

80

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for Social Science- Internal Assessment

Internal Assessment

Marks

Total Marks

Periodic Assessment

10

20 marks

Subject Enrichment Activity

5

Portfolio

5

CBSE 10th Logo

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026 for English (Language and Literature)

Section

Topics

Weightage

1

Reading Skills

20

2

Writing Skills with Grammar

20

3

English Literature (Ques from textbooks)

40

Total

80

Internal Assessment (Based on Assignments & Projects)

20

Total

100

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   What are the passing marks for CBSE 10th board exams?
A: 

Students need to score at least 33 percent in all subjects and a minimum aggregate of 33 percent in CBSE 10th board exams 2025 in order to clear the examinations. 

The Board has released the CBSE 10th syllabus and marking scheme for all subjects. Students must ensure to complete their syllabus and know the exam pattern well. They must nalso download and solve the CBSE 10th sample papers and previous years' question papers to perform well in the exams. 

Once done with the syllabus and practice, students will be able to clear the 10th board examinations will good percentage.  

CBSE 10th Logo

CBSE Assessment Scheme 2026

The CBSE 10th Assessment Scheme 2026 reads that in the forthcoming sessions a greater number of Competency Based Questions or questions that assess the application of concepts in real-life/ unfamiliar situations will be part of the question paper.

Type of questions

Class 10

Objective Type Questions

40%

Competency-Based Questions

20%

Short/ Long Answer Type Questions

40%

Read More:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   What should I do if I am unable to pass the CBSE 10th exam?
A: 

CBSE conducts the CBSE 10th supplementary exam for those who are unable to clear the CBSE 10th exam. Students will have to appear for the Supplementary exam which will be conducted by the Board in June/July. The details will be announced by the Board after the declaration of the CBSE 10th result. The students will have to apply and pay the requisite fee to appear for the Supplementary exams. 

Q:   Does CBSE announce the toppers list for CBSE Class 10?
A: 

No, to prevent unhealthy competition, the board does not announce the toppers list. Shiksha.com, however, interviews some students who score over 90 percent to know about their preparation strategy and other tips they wanted to share with other students.

CBSE 10th Logo

FAQs on CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026

Students can check the FAQs on CBSE 10th  exam pattern 2026 below:

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
Q:   Are there any changes made in the CBSE 10th exam pattern for the academic year 2025?
A: 

Yes, the board has made certain changes in the CBSE exam pattern 2025. For CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2025, question papers will include 40% MCQs (multiple choice questions). 20% will be competency-based questions and the remaining 40% will be subjective or short/long answer type questions.

Q:   Is CBSE Class 10th Board exam checking strict?
A: 

For Class 10th, it is considered to be strict. However, it is said that the checking done by evaluators is lenient in comparison to the checking done by them in Class 9 in their schools.

So, if u have covered the entire CBSE 10th syllabus and your preparation is on point, then you must not worry about the strict checking. Also, you can click on the link below to check the CBSE 10th important preparation points.

Q:   When will CBSE conduct the CBSE 10th practical exams?
A: 

CBSE conducted the CBSE practical exams 2025 between January 1 and Feb 14, 2025. There is no external examiner allotted to conduct  practical exams for Class 10. 

For winter-bound schools, CBSE practical exams 2025 were held between Nov 5 and Dec 5, 2024.

Q:   Does CBSE cut marks for exceeding the word limit?
A: 

No, CBSE does not deduct marks for exceeding the word limit in the board exams. However, marks may be deducted for spelling mistakes and other errors in language papers. 

Q:   My name is misspelt on the CBSE 10th result card. How should I get it corrected?
A: 

In case students find to be incorrect in the CBSE 10th result, they should immediately contact their school or the CBSE regional office for correction or rectification. They will then issue a new CBSE 10th marksheet with correct details.

The CBSE 10th marksheet is an important document and must be preserved for life.

Q:   Is the CBSE 10th result released online 100% correct?
A: 

Students need not worry about the accuracy of the CBSE 10th result released online. CBSE Class 10 result is released after undergoing various checking processes thus, there are very low chances for the CBSE 10th result released online to be incorrect. Students are advised to collect the marklist from the school after the CBSE 10th result is announced. 

Q:   Will the questions be of similar nature as in sample question papers in the CBSE 10th board exams?
A: 

Yes, questions are of the same pattern as given in the sample papers. Students must also solve and practice the practice questions and previous years question papers as released by the board.

Q:   Will CBSE release separate CBSE 10th date sheet 2026 for both the board exams?
A: 

Yes, CBSE will release the CBSE 10th date sheet 2026 separately for both the board exams. The Term 1 board exams will likley be held in Feb-March and the second one in May-June 2026.

Q:   Will I get enough time to finish my CBSE 10th board exam Mathematics question paper?
A: 

It is actually different for everyone since everyone has their own speed. It also depends on the paper- if its lengthy or not. There is a Cool-off time of 15 minutes in addition to the writing time. Use the 'Cool-off time' to get familiar with questions and to plan your answers. Read questions carefully before answering. Read the instructions carefully and you can analyze your entire question paper no matter which subject is it, and mentally set time for each sections. Since there are mcqs too, you can solve them in the 15 mins cool off time and thus save you a lot of time.

Q:   Where can I download the CBSE 10th Science sample paper?
A: 

Students can click on CBSE 10th Science sample paper 2026 to download and practice the Science sample questions. Alternatively, they can click on CBSE 10th sample question papers 2026 to download the papers for all other subjects. 

Students are advised to download and practice CBSE Class 10 sample papers 2026 for all subjects for better preparation of the exams. 

Q:   Where will I get CBSE 10th original certificate from?
A: 

Students have to collect their CBSE 10th original certificate from their schools. They will be notified by the schools after the release of the results. Usually students receive the CBSE 10th mark list within 2 weeks after the announcement of results.

Q:   Where can I download CBSE 10th English sample paper?
A: 

You can click on CBSE Class 10 English sample paper 2026 to download and practice the sample questions. If you wish to download the CBSE 10th sample papers 2026 for all subjects, click on the link provided.

Students are advised to download and practice the CBSE question papers and sample papers 2025 for better preparation of the examination. These will help them know the pattern, the duration and marking scheme. They can also get to know the type of questions that will be asked in the exam.  

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CBSE 10th Exam

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 4 weeks ago

Marksheet and Adhaar details must be matched. So you have to approach to 10th passing school with relevant documents. The school will submit the application to CBSE regional office for correction.

98459214
pradeep kumar

Scholar-Level 18

Answered a month ago

Which Diploma course is best after 10th is based on the personal career goals of students. Students who have an interest in Science can apply for Engineering diploma. commerce students can pursue Diploma in taxation, financial accounting etc.Arts students can opt for Diploma in hospitality, fina art

...Read more

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

The Madhya Pradesh Board Class 10 English exam pattern for 2025 includes four main sections: Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Textbook. The exam is conducted for 3 hours with a total of 100 marks. The Reading section involves three unseen passages totaling 15 marks, while the Writing section covers es

...Read more

P

PRINCE MISHRA

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Students are advised to keep their 10th and 12th standard examination mark sheet ready before filling out the WBJEE application form. By having these documents ready, the students will be able to correctly fill out the required information in the application form.

N

Nishtha Jain

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Yes, students can join Mercant Navy after 10th. There are many courses available for students after 10th. A few popular Merchant Navy courses after 10th are GP Rating, Deck Rating, Engine Rating, NCV, and Saloon Rating. 

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 8

Answered a month ago

After 10th you need to complete your 10+2. However, if you are adamant about exploring a career in journalism, it is advised to take the humanities stream in 10+2 instead of Maths or Biology. Once your 10+2 is completed appear for any mass communication entrance exam of your choice and crack a seat

...Read more

N

Nupur Jain

Beginner-Level 5

Answered a month ago

Yes you can do but not as a full-timer. After 10th you will only be eligible for part-time or vocational courses like in Photography,  Editing, etc. because to get a degree in journalism you need to have a minimum qualification of 10+2 and only then you will be allowed to enter the college or media

...Read more

Y

Yatendra Singh

Beginner-Level 5

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, there are several job options after 10th pass for girls such as Data Entry Operator, Call Center Executive, Beauty Therapist, and Retail/Sales jobs. Many of these roles offers quick earning opportunities.

P

Porishmita Paul

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 2 months ago

Hi, listed below are the popular Hotel Management colleges in Mumbai after class 10:

College NameTuition Fee
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj UniversityINR 1 lakh
Ice College of Hotel Management and Catering TechnologyINR 45,000 - INR 2 lakh
Indian Institute of Hospitality and ManagementINR 1 lakh
B.P. Marine Academy, BelapurINR 1.6 lakh
Rustomjee Academy for Global Careers, DahisarINR 1.5 lakh

Hope this helps!

A

Aneena Abraham

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

For HBSE (Haryana Board) 12th/10th Syllabus: Visit the official website: bseh.org.in and select the 'Syllabus' section for class 10 or 12 to download subject-wise PDFs.

 

For CBSE Syllabus: Visit cbseacademic.nic.in or cbse.gov.in for the latest subject-wise syllabus PDF downloads

P

PRINCE MISHRA

Contributor-Level 7

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