What is the new CBSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026?

CBSE has introduced major changes in the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern. From this year, the exam will be conducted in two phases. This reduces the exam stress and provides improvement opportunities within the same academic cycle. The Social Science and Science question papers will be divided into sections. Science: Physics, Chemistry, Biology Social Science: History, Geography, Political Science, Economics Students will answer section-wise, and evaluation will be done by subject- specific teachers.

What is revised CBSE Class 10 question paper 2026 format?

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)

What is CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern?

CBSE Class 10 English exam pattern is given below. Section Type of Questions Marks Reading (20 Marks) Discursive passage 10 Case-based factual passage with visual input 10 Writing & Grammar (20 Marks) Grammar questions 10 Formal Letter Writing 5 Analytical Paragraph Writing 5 Literature (40 Marks) Extract-based (Drama/Prose) 5 Extract-based (Poetry) 5 Short Answer Questions – First Flight 12 Short Answer Questions – Footprints Without Feet 6 Long Answer Questions – First Flight 6 Long Answer Questions – Footprints Without Feet 6 Total 80

What is the new CBSE exam pattern of class 10 Science for all subjects?

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

What should I do if I am unable to pass the CBSE 10th exam?

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.

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

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.

How do I calculate the CBSE class 10 marks?

The CBSE uses a grading system that reflects the marks achieved in every subject. This system usually features grades ranging from A1 to E, with A1 representing the highest grade. Each subject is assigned different marks, typically 100 for core subjects. For practical subjects, the marks may be distributed differently, such as 80 for theory and 20 for practical .3. Calculate Total Marks. Add the marks obtained in all subjects. Example: Subject 1: 85 Subject 2: 90 Subject 3: 75 Subject 4: 80 Subject 5: 95 Subject 6 (optional): 88 Total = 85 + 90 + 75 + 80 + 95 + 88 = 513 4. Convert to Percentage To calculate the percentage, divide the total marks by the maximum possible marks and multiply by 100. Example: Total Marks = 513 Maximum Marks = 600 (assuming six subjects with 100 each) Percentage = (513 / 600) * 100 = 85.5% 5. CGPA Calculation (if applicable) CBSE may also provide a CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) system. To calculate CGPA: Convert the grades of each subject to grade points. Average the grade points. Example: A1 = 10, A2 = 9, B1 = 8, B2 = 7, etc. Total Grade Points = (10 + 9 + 8 + 8 + 9) = 54 CGPA = Total Grade Points / Number of Subjects CGPA = 54 / 5 = 10.8

Are there any changes made in the CBSE 10th exam pattern for the academic year 2026?

Yes, the board has made certain changes in the CBSE exam pattern 2026. For CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026, 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. CBSE Class 10 Science and SST ques papers will also be divided into different sections and students need to answer them accordingly.

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

Yes, CBSE released the final CBSE 10th date sheet 2026 for Phase 1 board exams. The Phase 1 board exams were held between Feb 17 and March 11, 2026.

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

Updated on May 16, 2026 17:43 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Manager – Editorial

CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced some important changes in the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern for Science and Social Science subjects. Under the new CBSE 10th pattern, the Science question paper carries three sections- Biology (A), Chemistry (B) and Physics (C) , while the CBSE Exam Pattern Class 10 Social Science paper includes four sections covering History (A), Geography (B), Political Science (C) and Economics (D). CBSE has asked students to write each answer only in the space meant for that particular section. The Board also released the CBSE 10th marks distribution. As per this, 80 marks are allotted to the Theory paper and 20 marks for internal assessment in CBSE Class 10th 2026 exam. Read below for more details on CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026.

Table of contents

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Key Highlights/Overview
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject wise weightage
CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026: Exam sections and important topics
CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026
FAQs on CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Key Highlights/Overview

CBSE's new CBSE Class 10 exam pattern focuses more on competency-based learning and flexible assessment giving less weigtage to the traditional long answer questions.

Particulars	Details
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)
Connduct of exams in a year	Twice (Phase 1 & 2)
Grading System	9-point grading system

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026: Subject wise weightage

CBSE prescribes the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026. CBSE through exam pattern mentions the kind of questions asked in the exam, difficulty level, duration, and more. Students must go through the CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 carefully to strategize their preparation. The exam structure of CBSE Class 10 is given below.

Theory Paper Components (80 Marks)

Component	Weightage	Details
Competency-Based Questions	50%	These include case-based questions, source-based integrated questions, application-driven MCQs. This test understanding of real-life contexts rather than memory recall.
Objective-Type Questions	20%	Standard objective questions that is designed to assess conceptual clarity quickly and precisely
Short & Long Answer Questions	30%	Traditional short and long answer questions is now reduced in weightage

Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

Component	Marks
Periodic Tests	05
Practical Work	05
Assignments & Projects	05
Portfolio Assessments	05

Also Read:

CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2026: Exam sections and important topics

The subject-wise exam pattern and topics are given below.

CBSE 10th Maths Exam Pattern

There is no change in the CBSE Class 10 Maths exam pattern. It is same as previous years. The structure is given below.

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

Also Read: CBSE Class 10 Maths Sample Paper 2025-2026 PDF Download

CBSE Class 10 Maths Marking Scheme - Chapter-wise Weightage

Unit	Name	Marks
I	Number Systems	6
II	Algebra	20
III	Coordinate Geometry	6
IV	Geometry	15
V	Trigonometry	12
VI	Mensuration	10
VII	Statistics & Probability	11
	Total	80

CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2026

This year, the CBSE Clas 10 Science question paper has been divided into three subject-specific sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics with Biology carrying the hghjest weightage and equal marks are assigned to Chemistry and Physics sections. Students must be careful while answeing the questions. they must write the answers in the allotted sections.

CBSE Class 10 Science Exam 2026 - Question Types

Students can check the marks wise questions asked in the Science exam.

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

Also read: CBSE Class 10 Science Sample Paper 2025-2026 PDF Download

CBSE Class 10 Science Exam 2026 - Unit-Wise Weightage

Unit	Marks
I. Chemical Substances – Nature & Behaviour	25
II. World of Living	25
III. Natural Phenomena	12
IV. Effects of Current	13
V. Natural Resources	5
Total	80

CBSE 10th Social Science Exam Pattern 2026

For CBSE Class 10 board exams 2026, the board has revised the CBSE exam pattern 2026 Class 10 Social Science. The SST exam will now have four sections - Section A - History, Section B - Geography, Section C - Political Science, and Section D - Economics. Students must write the answers according to different sections or else their answers will not be marked. This makes the paper more structured and subject-focused.

CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2026

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

Also read: CBSE Class 10 Science Sample Paper 2025-2026 PDF Download

CBSE 10th Social Science 2026 Weightage

Unit	Marks
History (India & the Contemporary World – II)	18 + 2 (map)
Geography (Contemporary India – II)	17 + 3 (map)
Political Science (Democratic Politics – II)	20
Economics (Understanding Economic Development)	20
Total	80

CBSE 10th English Exam Pattern

The CBSE Class 10 English paper assess students across Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature sections. Students can check the structure of the question paper below for a better understanding..

Section	Type of Questions	Marks
Reading (20 Marks)	Discursive passage	10
	Case-based factual passage with visual input	10
Writing & Grammar (20 Marks)	Grammar questions	10
	Formal Letter Writing	5
	Analytical Paragraph Writing	5
Literature (40 Marks)	Extract-based (Drama/Prose)	5
	Extract-based (Poetry)	5
	Short Answer Questions – First Flight	12
	Short Answer Questions – Footprints Without Feet	6
	Long Answer Questions – First Flight	6
	Long Answer Questions – Footprints Without Feet	6
Total		80

CBSE 10th Marking Scheme 2026

CBSE released the CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026. Students can check the CBSE 10th marking scheme 2026 for all subjects below.

English Language & Literature	Hindi A	Hindi B
Science	Mathematics Standard	Mathematics Basic
Social Science	Computer Applications	Home Science
Arabic	Assamese	Bengali
Bhutia	Bodo	Carnatic Melodic Instrument
Carnatic music percussion	Carnatic music vocal	Computer Application
Elements of Bookkeeping and Accountancy	Elements of business	English communicative
French	German	Gujarati
Gurung	Hindustani melodic	Hindustani music percussion
Hindustani vocal	Japanese	Kannada
Kashmiri	Kokborok	Lepcha
Limboo	Malayalam	Manipuri
Marathi	Mizo	NCC
Nepali	Odia	Painting
Rai	Russian	Sanskrit
Sanskrit communicative	Sherpa	Sindhi
Spanish	Tamang	Tamil
Tangkhul	Telugu	Telugu Telangana
Tibetan	Urdu A	Urdu B

FAQs on CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026

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

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

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.

Q: Where can I find and download the CBSE 10th Maths sample paper 2026?

You can check and get the CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Sample Paper 2026 by clicking the link below. 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.

Q: How many CBSE 10th Mathematics question papers should I practice?

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.

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

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: Does CBSE deduct marks for lengthy answers?

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

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: What is CBSE 10th Home Science syllabus 2025?

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

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

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: What are the passing marks for CBSE 10th board exams?

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.