The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) determines the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern 2026. The CBSE 10th subject-wise exam pattern and marking scheme are put up by the board through its official website, cbseacademic.nic.in. As per the latest CBSE exam pattern 10th Class 2026, the theory papers for all the main subjects will carry 80 marks, while 20 marks will be reserved for the internal assessment. The students are advised to understand the CBSE 10th exam pattern and marking scheme to prepare well for the CBSE 10th exams 2026.
Download CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2025-26
This Story also Contains
Students should also be aware that the internal assessment includes periodic tests, notebook submission, and subject-specific activities, which are crucial for scoring well. A clear understanding of the CBSE 10th 2026 exam pattern will help students manage their study time effectively.
Students can refer to the table given below to get the major highlights of the new CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Name of the Exam | CBSE Secondary Examination 2026 |
| The Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Examination Mode | Offline |
| Frequency | Once a year |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Total duration for the theory paper | 3 Hours |
| Subject | CBSE theory marks | CBSE 10th practical marks/Internal Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Hindi Course- A | 80 | 20 |
| Hindi Course-B | 80 | 20 |
| Science | 80 | 20 |
| Social Science | 80 | 20 |
| English (Communicative) | 80 | 20 |
| Mathematics Basic | 80 | 20 |
As per the CBSE 10th exam pattern of the Mathematics subject, the theory exam will consist of 80 marks in total, and the internal assessment will be 20 marks. The unit-wise marking scheme is listed below in the table:
| Unit No. | Unit Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
I | Number Systems | 06 |
II | Algebra | 20 |
III | Coordinate Geometry | 06 |
IV | Geometry | 15 |
V | Trigonometry | 12 |
VI | Mensuration | 10 |
VII | Statistics and Probability | 11 |
Total | 80 |
| 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 |
The CBSE Class 10 Science exam pattern 2026 is listed in the table below. The unit-wise marking scheme and topics incorporated in the syllabus are also mentioned below.
| Units | Unit Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| I | Chemical Substances-Nature and Behaviour: Chemical reactions, Acids, bases and salts, Metals and nonmetals, Carbon compounds | 25 |
| II | World of Living: Life processes, Control and coordination in animals and plants, Reproduction, Heredity and Evolution | 25 |
| III | Natural Phenomena: Reflection of light by curved surfaces, Refraction of light by spherical lens, Functioning of a lens in the human eye, Refraction of light through a prism, etc. | 12 |
| IV | Effects of Current: Electric current, potential difference and electric current, Ohm’s law, Magnetic effects of current, Alternating current, Domestic electric circuits | 13 |
| V | Natural Resources: Our Environment | 05 |
| Total | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment | 20 | |
| Grand Total | 100 |
Periodic Assessment = 05 marks + 05 marks
Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) = 05 marks
Portfolio = 05 marks
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam will include theory questions and map skills-based questions. Go through the CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026 exam pattern below:
| Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|
| 18 + 2 Map pointing |
| Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|
| 20 |
| Topics | Weightage |
|---|---|
| 17 + 3 Map pointing |
| Topic | Weightage |
|---|---|
| 20 |
| Type of Assessment | Description | Marks |
|---|---|---|
Periodic Assessment | Pen and Paper Test. | 5 |
Multiple Assessment | Quiz, debate, role play, viva, group discussion, visual expression, interactive bulletin boards, gallery walks, exit cards, concept maps, peer assessment, Self-assessment, etc., through an Interdisciplinary project | 5 |
Subject Enrichment Activity | Project Work on Consumer Rights, OR Social Issues OR Sustainable Development | 5 |
Portfolio | Classwork, Work done (activities/ assignments), reflections, narrations, journals, etc. Achievements of the student in the subject throughout the year, Participation of the student in different activities like Heritage India quiz | 5 |
The English exam is divided into three sections: A, B, and C. The CBSE Class 10 English exam pattern is mentioned in the table below:
| 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 | |
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) follows a 9-point grading system to assign grades to students. As per the new CBSE grading system, grades are awarded to students based on their marks in the CBSE 10th exam. The following is a nine-point scoring table:
| Grades | Particulars |
|---|---|
A-1 | Top 1/8th of the passed candidates |
A-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
B-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
B-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
C-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
C-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
D-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
D-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
E* | *Essential Repeat |
Also, Check: CBSE Results 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The theory papers will carry 80 marks, and the internal evaluation will be of 20 marks.
Yes, NCERT books are enough for the preparation of CBSE 10th board exams.
The complete CBSE 10th exam pattern and syllabus have been put up by the board on the official website, cbseacademic.nic.in.
If a student fails in any one of the three compulsory subjects- Science, Mathematics, or Social Science, but passes in the Skill subject (offered as the sixth optional subject), the failed core subject will be replaced by the Skill subject. The final result of the Class X board examination will then be computed based on this replacement.
On Question asked by student community
Hello Student,
you can click on the article link. We have mentioned in detail on how to locate the centre.
Link - CBSE Board Exam Centre List 2026: Class 10, 12 Center Locator/Finder
Hope this helps!
Hello student,
You can find the Science Question Paper PDF in the link below
Link - CBSE Class 10 Science Question Paper 2026 PDF (25 Feb) with Solutions (Available)
Hope this helps!
I do not think it is going to be massive problem since the invigilator usually rechecks these minute errors before making final submission. In some cases, this mistake might be overlooked by the invigilator and can end up getting wrong marks, or result withheld kind of a situation. Do not
The CBSE Board Exam Class 10 English Question Paper can be downloaded in PDF format here .
Students can download the CBSE 10th Maths question paper from below.
Download CBSE Class 10 Maths Question Paper Here
The CBSE 10th maths exam follows the 80 (Theory) + 20 (Internal) format.
Question 1 (8 Marks):
(A) 4 MCQs (1 mark each).
(B) 4 Very Short Answer questions (1 mark
As per latest syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters
As per latest syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters
As per latest 2024 syllabus. Study 40% syllabus and score upto 100% marks in JEE
As per latest syllabus. Maths formulas, equations, & theorems of class 11 & 12th chapters