5 Years or 10 Years PYQs - Which One is Good for CBSE Class 10?

Every year, lakhs of students gear up for their CBSE Class 10 board exams. Preparing for the CBSE Class 10 exam is very anxious as it is the first major exam in a student's life.  One of the right ways to build confidence is by solving previous year question papers for class 10. Many students and parents wonder: Should I go with 5 years or 10 years of previous year question papers? This question keeps coming up because both options have their benefits. options. We’ll help you choose the right set—5 years or 10 years—so you can boost your exam score and feel ready on exam day.

Before we jump into the comparison, let's understand why CBSE Class 10 PYQ books are so important. Previous year papers show you exactly what to expect in your exams. They help you see which topics come up often and how questions are asked. When you practice with real exam papers, you learn the exam pattern. You also get better at managing time during the actual test. Most importantly, you build confidence because you know what's coming.

CBSE Class 10 PYQ of 10 Years 

The CBSE Class 10 PYQs - Past 10 Years Solved Papers gives you papers from 2016 to 2025. It includes 20 papers covering both the Delhi and the Outside Delhi regions for all major subjects.

Why 10 Years Works Better Sometimes

• More Practice: With the previous 10-year question paper class 10 collections, you get double the practice. More questions mean better preparation and higher confidence.

• Trend Analysis: The book shows 6 years of trend analysis. You can see which topics appear most often over a longer time. This helps you plan your study time better.

• Regional Coverage: You get papers from both Delhi and Outside Delhi. This gives you a wider view of how questions can be asked.

• Detailed Solutions: Every answer comes with step-by-step marking schemes. You learn not just what to write, but how examiners give marks.

• Competency-Based Learning: The book tags questions based on skills you need. This modern approach helps you understand what abilities the exam tests.

• NCERT References: Every answer connects to NCERT textbook concepts, helping you build a strong foundation.

Check Out: PW CBSE Class 10 Books

Who Should Choose 10 Years?

• Students who love practicing lots of questions

• Those who started preparation early

• Students aiming for very high scores

• Anyone who wants to see long-term patterns

 Previous 5-year Question Paper for Class 10

The CBSE Class 10 Last 5 Years' (2020-2024) Chapterwise Solved Papers gives you recent papers organized by chapters. This book covers Science, Mathematics, English, and Social Science from 2020 to 2024.

Why 5 Years Works Well

• Recent Patterns: The CBSE Class 10 previous year question paper from the last 5 years shows the newest exam trends. CBSE sometimes changes how they ask questions, and this book catches those changes.

• Less Overwhelming: Five years of papers feel manageable. You won't feel stressed looking at a huge pile of papers. This helps you stay motivated throughout your preparation.

• Chapter-wise Organization: Questions are sorted by chapters, making it easy to study one topic at a time. When you finish a chapter from your textbook, you can immediately practice related questions.

• Term-wise Coverage: The book includes both Term-I and Term-II papers, which matches how CBSE conducted exams in recent years.

Who Should Choose 5 Years?

• Students who get overwhelmed easily

• Those who started preparation late

• Students who want to focus on recent exam patterns

• Anyone who prefers studying chapter by chapter

 5 Years vs 10 Years CBSE Class 10 PYQ

When to Use Both?

If you have enough time, combining both books can be powerful:

1. Start with 10-year PYQs to understand long-term trends and practice extensively.

2. Switch to 5-year PYQs 2-3 months before exams to adapt to recent patterns.

There’s no “better” option—it depends on your goals:

• 10-year PYQs = Deep preparation (ideal for high achievers).

• 5-year PYQs = Smart preparation (perfect for efficient learners).

Remember, solving any PYQs is better than solving none. Start early, practice regularly, and use these books as your secret weapons. As Thomas Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Put in the effort, and success will follow!

The Right of Both Worlds Strategy

Here's a secret that you don't have to choose just one! Many successful students use both books in a smart way.

1. Phase 1 (6+ months before exam): Start with the 10-year book. Use it to understand long-term trends and get lots of practice.

2. Phase 2 (Last 3 months): Switch to the 5-year book. Focus on recent patterns and do final revision with chapter-wise practice.

Also Check, CBSE Class 10th Question Banks

Preparation Strategy for CBSE Class 10 Using PYQs

1. Set Clear Goals

Decide whether to start with a previous 10 year question paper class 10 set or a previous 5 year question paper class 10 set based on your timeline.
Example goal: “Finish 10 papers in 10 weeks” or “Complete 5 papers in 5 weeks.”

2. Create a Weekly Schedule

Monday–Friday:

• Spend 1 hour daily revising theory from the NCERT.

• Practice one section (e.g., Science or Math) from a CBSE Class 10 PYQ set for 30 minutes.

Saturday:

• Solve one full CBSE Class 10 previous year question paper under timed conditions (3 hours).

Sunday:

• Review the paper, check answers against the marking scheme, and note down mistakes.

3. Mix 5-Year & 10-Year Papers

In the first half of your plan, focus on the previous 10 year question paper class 10 set to spot long-term patterns. In the second half (last 4–6 weeks), switch to the previous 5 year question paper class 10 book for fresh, recent trends. This blend ensures you cover both old and new question styles.

4. Use Chapter-Wise Trend Analysis

For the previous year's question papers, class 10 from 2016–2025, markthe  chapters that appear most. Allocate extra study time to high-frequency chapters like “Algebra” or “History” topics that repeat every year.

5. Time Yourself Strictly

When you solve any CBSE Class 10 previous year question paper, use a timer. Finish Section A (20 marks) in 40 minutes, Section B (30 marks) in 60 minutes, and so on. Practice pacing so you don’t spend too much time on tough questions.

6. Review & Revise Immediately

After each paper, check your answers with stepwise marking notes. For every wrong answer, write down the concept and revisit it in your NCERT book. Keep a “mistake log” where you list questions from previous year question papers, class 10, that you got wrong, then practice similar ones.

7. Focus on Weak Areas

Use shorter practice sessions (15–20 minutes) to target weak topics found in CBSE Class 10 PYQ sets. For example, if you struggle with “Grammar” questions from English PYQs, spend extra time on grammar exercises each day.

This approach gives you complete preparation without feeling overwhelmed.

Both books are designed to help you succeed. The key is picking one that fits your needs and using it consistently. With regular practice using quality previous year question papers, you'll be ready to ace your CBSE Class 10 exams with confidence.

Your success doesn't depend on having the "perfect" book. It depends on how well you use whatever good resource you choose. So pick your preference, start practicing, and get ready to achieve the scores you deserve!

Read More: NCERT Books Class 10 All Subjects for 2025 Exam

CBSE Class 10 PYQ FAQs

1. Which is better, 5 years or 10 years CBSE Class 10 PYQ books?

Both are good for different needs. Choose 5 years if you want recent patterns and manageable study material. Pick 10 years if you have more time and want maximum practice. The CBSE Class 10 PYQ choice depends on your preparation time and study style.

2. How many months before exams should I start using previous year question papers?

Start practicing with CBSE Class 10 previous year question paper at least 4-5 months before exams. This gives you enough time to identify weak areas and improve. If you choose 10-year books, start 6 months early for best results.

3. Do I need both Delhi and Outside Delhi papers?

Having both Delhi and Outside Delhi papers gives you more variety in questions. The 10-year book includes both sets, which helps you see different ways the same topics can be tested. This makes your preparation stronger.

4. When should I start solving full-length previous year papers?

Start solving complete papers 2-3 months before exams. Before that, focus on chapter-wise questions. This approach helps you build confidence gradually and improves your time management skills for the actual exam.