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. CBSE has recently released the subject-wise marks bifurcation of all subjects. 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
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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. 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.
| 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 as 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)
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.
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.
On Question asked by student community
HELLO,
I am attaching the link through which you can download and access the Bangalore Sahodaya Class 10th CBSE question paper of Mathematics ( Basic )
Here is the link :- https://school.careers360.com/download/ebooks/bangalore-sahodaya-class-10-mathematics-basic-question-paper-2025-26
It will help you to practice basic level numerical questions, strengthen fundamentals and prepare confidently for the board
HELLO,
Below i am attaching the direct link of Careers360 through which you can download the Bangalore Sahodaya Class 10th Mathematics Basic Question paper 2025 2026
Here is the link :- https://school.careers360.com/download/ebooks/bangalore-sahodaya-class-10-mathematics-basic-question-paper-2025-26
Hope this will help you!
Hello
You will be able to download the CBSE Class 10th Maths Sample Paper 2025-26 using the link which is given below.
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-10th-maths-sample-papers-2025-26
I hope this information helps you.
Thank you.
Hello,
Here you can access the last 5 years CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Question Papers from the mentioned link below:
https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-previous-year-question-papers-class-10
Hope it helps.
You can check the Class 11 English half yearly question paper and answer key for 2025 26 on the Careers360 website. These papers help students practice, understand the exam pattern, and check their answers for better preparation.
You can visit this Careers360 link to access the English question paper and
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