CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Pattern 2025-26: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the tentative exam schedule for Class 10 Board Exams 2026, which are set to begin from 17th February 2026. With the half-yearly exams almost over, this is the right time for students to shift their focus towards full-fledged preparation for the annual board exams. To prepare effectively and score well, students must stay updated with the latest question paper structure, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage.
The paper pattern for some of the major subjects, including Science and Social Science, has been revised to make the exams more structured and competency-based.
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for time management, prioritising key sections, and maximising scores in the upcoming board exams. This article provides a detailed subject-wise CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26, including the marking scheme, chapter/unit-wise weightage, and the latest changes introduced by the board for this academic year.
| CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 (Tentative Exam Schedule) | Best 5-Month Study Plan for CBSE Board Exam 2026 (Day-Wise Exam Preparation Plan) |
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26: Overview
CBSE has introduced major changes in the Class 10 Board Exam Pattern 2026, focusing more on competency-based learning and flexible assessment.
| Component | Details |
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% weightage (MCQs, case study-based, source-based) |
| Objective-Type Questions | 20% weightage (short, fact-based) |
| Short & Long Answer Questions | 30% weightage (descriptive/analytical) |
| Theory Exam | 80 marks |
| Internal Assessment | 20 marks (tests, assignments, projects, practicals) |
| Two Board Exams | Conducted in one academic year (from 2025-26) |
| Grading System | 9-point grading system introduced |
CBSE Class 10 Exam Structure 2025-26
The CBSE Class 10 exam paper is divided into three main components to balance objective, competency-based, and descriptive questions. Here’s the structure:
Theory Paper Components (80 Marks)
| Component | Weightage | Details |
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% | Includes MCQs, case study-based, and source-based questions |
| Objective-Type Questions | 20% | Short, fact-based, and direct-answer type questions (Usually in for of MCQs) |
| Short & Long Answer Questions | 30% | Requires detailed explanation, analysis, and interpretation |
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Apart from the written exam, students are also assessed on classroom performance and project-based work. The distribution is given below:
| Component | Marks | Description |
| Periodic Tests | 05 | Regular tests conducted by schools during the academic year |
| Practical Work | 05 | Hands-on lab work and experiments (for Science/Maths/other practical subjects) |
| Assignments & Projects | 05 | Subject-specific projects to test creativity and application skills |
| Portfolio Assessments | 05 | Overall student performance including class activities, participation, and submissions |
Check CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2025-2026 (All Subjects)
CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Exam Pattern 2025-26
The CBSE Class 10 Mathematics paper for the 2025–26 board exams will follow the same pattern as in previous years. There is no change in the structure, and the exam pattern remains uniform for both Basic and Standard Mathematics papers.
Maths Question Paper Structure
| Section | Question Type | Question Numbers | Marks per Question |
| A | MCQs + Assertion Reason | Q1–Q18, Q19–20 | 1 mark each |
| B | Very Short Answer | Q21–25 | 2 marks each |
| C | Short Answer | Q26–31 | 3 marks each |
| D | Long Answer | Q32–35 | 5 marks each |
| E | Case Study-Based | Q36–38 | 4 marks each (sub-parts 1,1,2) |
Internal choice is available in 2 questions each from Sections B, C & D, and all questions in Section E.
Chapter-Wise Weightage (Maths)
| 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 |
Check CBSE Class 10 Maths Sample Paper 2025-2026
CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2025-26 (Revised)
For the 2026 board exams, the CBSE Class 10 Science paper pattern is different than the 2024–25. The 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.
Key Features of the Question Paper
1. Total Questions: 39, all compulsory.
2. Division of Sections (with Question Numbers):
- Section A – Biology (Q.1 to Q.16)
- Section B – Chemistry (Q.17 to Q.29)
- Section C – Physics (Q.30 to Q.39)
3. Marks Distribution:
- Biology – 30 marks
- Chemistry – 25 marks
- Physics – 25 marks
- Total – 80 marks
4. Question Types:
- Very Short Answer (VSA) / MCQs: 1 mark each
- Short Answer (SA): 2–3 marks each (40–60 words)
- Long Answer (LA): 4–5 marks each (100–120 words)
- Assertion–Reason Questions: Included in all 3 sections (1 mark each)
- Case/Experiment/Diagram Based Questions: 3–4 marks each
5. Choice: No overall choice, but internal choice is given in some questions. Students must attempt only one option in such cases.
6. Special Provision for Visually Impaired Candidates: Alternative questions will be provided in place of diagram/figure-based ones.
With this structure, each branch of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) gets a balanced representation in the exam, ensuring conceptual, practical, and application-based testing.
Unit-Wise Weightage (Science)
| 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 |
Check CBSE Class 10 Science Sample Paper 2025-2026
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper Structure 2025-26 (Revised)
For the 2026 board exams, CBSE has revised the paper pattern of Class 10 Social Science. Now, each section is dedicated to one subject — Section A to History, Section B to Geography, Section C to Political Science, and Section D to Economics. This makes the paper more structured and subject-focused.
1. The question paper will consist of 38 questions, all compulsory.
2. The paper is divided into four sections:
- Section A – History
- Section B – Geography
- Section C – Political Science
- Section D – Economics
3. Each section will carry 20 marks.
4. Very Short Answer (VSA) questions: 2 marks each, answers in about 40 words.
5. Short Answer (SA) questions: 3 marks each, answers in about 60 words.
6. Long Answer (LA) questions: 5 marks each, answers in about 120 words.
7. Case-Based Questions (CBQ): Each carries 4 marks with three sub-questions; answers in about 100 words.
8. Map-Based Questions: Total 5 marks
- Q9 from History (2 marks)
- Q19 from Geography (3 marks)
9. Choice: No overall choice, but internal choice is provided in some questions. Students must attempt only one option.
10. Special provision for Visually Impaired candidates: Alternative questions (in place of visual/map-based ones) will be provided and must be attempted by them only.
Unit-Wise Weightage (Social Science)
| 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 |
Check CBSE Class 10 Social Science Sample Paper 2025-2026
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks Theory)
The CBSE Class 10 English paper for the 2025–26 board exams will be of 80 marks theory and will assess students across Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature sections. The structure remains the same as the previous years, ensuring balanced focus on comprehension, expression, and literary understanding.
Key Features of the Question Paper:
| 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 |
Check CBSE Class 10 English Language & Literature Sample Paper 2025-2026
CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks Theory)
The CBSE Class 10 English Communicative paper for 2025–26 will follow the same assessment scheme as 2024–25. The question paper is divided into four major sections: Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Literature. This structure ensures balanced testing of comprehension, expression, accuracy, and literary interpretation.
The exam consists of 12 questions across four sections – Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Literature.
Section-Wise Question Marks Distribution
| Section | Question Numbers | Details | Marks |
| A. Reading Skills | Q1–2 | Two passages (discursive & factual/case-based) with comprehension Qs | 22 |
| B. Writing Skills | Q3–6 | - Q3: Application (3 marks) | 22 |
| C. Grammar | Q7–9 | - Q7: Fill in the blanks (3 marks) | 10 |
| D. Literature | Q10–12 | - Q10: Extract-based (2 out of 3 extracts, 8 marks) | 26 |
| Total | Q1–12 |
| 80 |
Check CBSE Class 10 English Communicative Sample Paper 2025-2026
CBSE Class 10 Hindi (Corse A) Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks Theory)
The CBSE Class 10 Hindi A Question Paper 2025-26 will be of 80 marks and divided into four sections – A, B, C, and D. The total time allotted for the exam is 3 hours. All questions are compulsory, with internal choices in some. The exam duration will be for 3 Hours.
Question Paper Structure (Hindi A)
| Section | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A – अपठित बोध (Unseen Comprehension) | 1. गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 2. काव्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 | 14 |
| B – व्यावहारिक व्याकरण (Applied Grammar) | 3. वाक्य भेद (4 Qs) – 4 4. वाच्य परिवर्तन (4 Qs) – 4 5. पद परिचय (4 Qs) – 4 6. अलंकार पहचान (4 Qs) – 4 | 16 |
| C – पाठ्य पुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्य पुस्तक (Textbook & Supplementary Reader) | 7. गद्यांश आधारित MCQs – 5 8. गद्य पाठमाला से लघु उत्तरीय (3/4 Qs × 2 marks) – 6 9. काव्यांश आधारित MCQs – 5 10. काव्य पाठमाला से लघु उत्तरीय (3/4 Qs × 2 marks) – 6 11. पूरक पुस्तक से दीर्घ उत्तरीय (2/3 Qs × 4 marks) – 8 | 30 |
| D – रचनात्मक लेखन (Creative Writing) | 12. अनुच्छेद लेखन (120 शब्द) – 6 13. पत्र लेखन / औपचारिक पत्र – 5 14. स्ववृत्त / आवेदन / ई-मेल – 5 15. विज्ञापन / संदेश लेखन – 4 | 20 |
CBSE Class 10 Hindi (Corse B) Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks Theory)
The CBSE Class 10 Hindi B Question Paper 2025-26 will carry a total of 80 marks and will be divided into four sections – A, B, C, and D. Students will get 3 hours to attempt all 16 questions, with internal choices available in some parts.
Question Paper Structure (Hindi B)
| Section | Details | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| A – अपठित बोध (Unseen Comprehension) | 1. गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 2. गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 | 14 |
| B – व्यावहारिक व्याकरण (Applied Grammar) | 3. पदबंध (5 में से 4) – 4 4. वाक्य रूपांतरण (5 में से 4) – 4 5. समास (5 में से 4) – 4 6. मुहावरे (5 में से 4) – 4 | 16 |
| C – पाठ्य पुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्य पुस्तक (Textbook & Supplementary Reader) | 7. गद्यांश आधारित MCQs – 5 8. गद्य पाठमाला से लघु उत्तरीय (3/4 Qs × 2 marks) – 6 9. काव्यांश आधारित MCQs – 5 10. काव्य पाठमाला से लघु उत्तरीय (3/4 Qs × 2 marks) – 6 11. पूरक पुस्तक से दीर्घ उत्तरीय (2/3 Qs × 3 marks) – 6 | 28 |
| D – रचनात्मक लेखन (Creative Writing) | 12. अनुच्छेद लेखन (120 शब्द) – 5 13. पत्र लेखन (100 शब्द) – 5 14. सूचना लेखन (60 शब्द) – 4 15. विज्ञापन लेखन (40 शब्द) – 3 16. लघु कथा / ई-मेल लेखन – 5 | 22 |
Understanding the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26 is crucial for effective preparation and scoring well in the board exams. With clearly defined subject-wise structures, marking schemes, and chapter/unit weightages, students can plan their study strategies, focus on important sections, and can approach the 2026 board exams with confidence, ultimately enhancing their performance across all subjects.
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