Official sample papers by subject#
CBSE's notification of 21 September 2026 released sample question papers (SQPs) and marking schemes for Classes 10 and 12 for the 2026-27 session. CBSE describes the SQPs as a broad template and a guide for uniform, proper coverage of the curriculum. They show the format and the kind of questions to expect; they are not a forecast of the actual questions.
Class 10 subjects
The Class 10 page has SQPs and marking schemes for the main subjects (Science, Mathematics Standard, Mathematics Basic, Social Science, English Language and Literature, English Communicative, Hindi A and B) and for many other languages and elective subjects; skill subjects are linked separately on the site. If a link for your subject does not open, check again later or ask your school.
Class 12 subjects
The Class 12 page covers Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and English Core, along with the other subjects offered in Class 12.
Paper formats at a glance (from the 2026-27 SQPs)
⇆ Swipe sideways to see the whole table
| Paper | Questions | Marks | Time | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 10 Science | 39 | 80 | 3 hours | Section A Biology, Section B Chemistry, Section C Physics |
| Class 10 Maths Standard | 38 | 80 | 3 hours | Sections A to E; Section E has three 4-mark case study-based questions |
| Class 10 Social Science | 38 | 80 | 3 hours | History, Geography, Political Science, Economics: 20 marks each |
| Class 10 English Language and Literature | 11 | 80 | 3 hours | Reading 20, Writing and Grammar 20, Literature 40 |
| Class 12 Physics | 33 | 70 | 3 hours | Sections A to E; no calculators |
How to download the CBSE sample paper#
- Open cbseacademic.nic.in, the academic website of CBSE.
- Find the link for the 2026-27 sample question papers for Class X or Class XII (the direct pages are linked in the box above).
- Click SQP for the question paper and MS for the marking scheme of your subject.
- Save both PDFs. Print the SQP if you want to practise on paper like the real exam.
We do not host or copy CBSE papers here. Always use the official files, because they are the only version guaranteed to match the 2026-27 pattern.
How the marking scheme works#
The marking scheme is the answer key that shows what earns each mark. It is the most useful file for self-checking.
- Value points. Long answers are broken into points, each worth a part of the marks. Missing one point loses only that part.
- Step marking. In numericals, marks are given separately for the formula, substitution, working and the final answer with the correct unit, often in half marks.
- Diagrams. Marks are split between the drawing and the labels. An unlabelled diagram usually loses marks.
- Alternatives. Where a question has an internal choice ("OR"), the scheme gives answers for both options. Some answers note that any two or three correct points are acceptable.
- Word limits. In Class 10 Social Science, the SQP sets limits of 40, 60 and 120 words for 2-, 3- and 5-mark answers. Practise writing within them.
When you check your own paper, mark strictly with the scheme. Then list why you lost each mark: concept gap, missing step, missing unit, unlabelled diagram, or running out of time.
What changed this year#
CBSE's 21 September 2026 notification states that there is no change in the question paper design and assessment pattern for the 2026-27 session, and that the passing criteria remain the same as in 2025-26.
For Class 10, 2026-27 is the second year of the two board examinations scheme. The first exam, held in February–March under the scheme, is mandatory for all students (CBSE had not published the 2027 date sheet as of 7 October 2026). The second exam is optional and lets students improve in up to three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Languages. The sample paper format applies to the board exam papers. Our CBSE Class 10 preparation guide explains how to plan around this.
For Class 10 Science, CBSE's 2026-27 curriculum lists Periodic Classification of Elements, Evolution, and the motor, electromagnetic induction and generator topics for school-level formative assessment only; they will not be assessed in the year-end board exam. See our Class 10 Science notes for the full chapter list.
Practice schedule#
| When | What to do with the sample paper |
|---|---|
| Now to November | Read the SQP of each subject once without solving. Note the sections, question types and marks. Keep studying chapters. |
| December | Solve one section at a time, untimed, after finishing the related chapters. Check with the marking scheme. |
| January | Solve the full SQP of each subject, timed for 3 hours. Mark it strictly and build an error log. |
| Pre-boards | Treat your school's pre-board as a full rehearsal. Compare the mistakes with your SQP error log. |
| Last 3 weeks before each exam | Re-solve the SQP and other practice papers under time, focusing on the sections where you lost marks. |
Students can also practise the paper together: solving one section each, then checking with the marking scheme as a group, makes the scheme easier to understand.
Pre-board papers#
Pre-board exams are set and conducted by schools, not by CBSE. Each school, or group of schools, prepares its own pre-board papers, usually following the CBSE sample paper format. So:
- There is no single official "CBSE pre board paper class 10"; papers differ from school to school.
- A pre-board is not a CBSE board examination. Ask your school how it uses pre-board marks, for example within internal assessment.
- Use the pre-board to test your timing, presentation and exam-day routine.
Be careful with files shared as "leaked" or "official pre-board" papers on social media. Download official CBSE papers only from CBSE's own websites, such as cbseacademic.nic.in and cbse.gov.in.
Tips by class#
CBSE sample paper class 10
- Practise competency-based questions (case-based, source-based and assertion–reason), which make up about half the questions according to CBSE. Our guide to competency based questions for Class 10 has solved examples.
- In Science, practise the three sections in the same order as the paper, since it is split into Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
CBSE class 12 sample paper
- For Physics, check which topics need full derivations and which are formula-only this year. Our list of derivations of physics class 12 separates them.
- In Physics, calculators are not allowed, so practise arithmetic with powers of ten and approximations.
All CBSE posts are on the CBSE category page. To practise with friends, set up a study room and solve a sample paper section together.