CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern is very important for all students who will appear in the upcoming board examinations. Class 10 is a turning point in the lives of students because it decides their course of study for the next two years. That's why understanding the pattern of board exam 2025 class 10 helps in knowing how many marks each subject carries, how questions are divided, and how much time will be given to solve the paper.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025-26 along with a detailed syllabus for all subjects on its official website at cbseacademic.nic.in. Keep reading to learn more about the CBSE Class 10 Paper Pattern 2025-26.
Check Out: CBSE Class 10 Books
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme are the best ways to know the format of question papers you will see in the upcoming exam sessions. As per the CBSE exam pattern 2025 class 10, each subject has a total of 100 marks. Knowing the CBSE 10th total marks subject wise helps you improve board exam preparation in a smart way.
Moreover, the CBSE pattern 2025 class 10 is expected to remain the same as last year, but it is still important to check the latest details on the official website. For the ease of students’ understanding, we've provided the CBSE class 10 paper pattern 2025-26 for each subject along with the CBSE marking scheme 2025 class 10 here.
CBSE Class 10 Paper Pattern 2025-26
CBSE class 10 paper pattern 2025-26 can help you understand how the final board exam papers are set and how marks are given. For all main subjects, the theory paper will carry 80 marks. The remaining 20 marks will be given for internal assessment. The internal assessment includes periodic tests, notebook submission, and subject-related activities, which play an important role in your final score.
By knowing the CBSE Exam Pattern 2025 Class 10 in the beginning, you can plan your studies better and focus on both written exams and school assessments. Continue reading to check the CBSE 10th total marks subject wise along with the CBSE marking scheme 2025 class 10 for each subject in detail.
Check Out: CBSE Class 10 Question Banks
Pattern of Board Exam 2025 Class 10 For Mathematics
As per the pattern of board exam 2025 class 10 for Mathematics, the theory paper is going to be of 80 marks, and 20 marks will be for internal assessment. Questions based on important topics like Algebra, Trigonometry, and Geometry are expected to carry higher weightage of marks, so it is vital to give extra attention to them while studying.
As per the previous years ' analysis, check the Maths unit-wise weightage for the upcoming Class 10 board exam:
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Number Systems: 6 marks
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Algebra: 20 marks
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Coordinate Geometry: 6 marks
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Geometry: 15 marks
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Trigonometry: 12 marks
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Mensuration: 10 marks
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Statistics & Probability: 11 marks
Check out the detailed Pattern of Board Exam 2025 Class 10 for Mathematics as outlined below.
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for Maths |
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|
Section |
Question Numbers |
Question Type |
Marks per Question |
Total Questions |
Internal Choice |
|
A |
1 – 18 |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
1 |
18 |
None |
|
19 – 20 |
Assertion–Reason Questions |
1 |
2 |
None |
|
|
B |
21 – 25 |
Very Short Answer (VSA) Questions |
2 |
5 |
2 questions |
|
C |
26 – 31 |
Short Answer (SA) Questions |
3 |
6 |
2 questions |
|
D |
32 – 35 |
Long Answer (LA) Questions |
5 |
4 |
2 questions |
|
E |
36 – 38 |
Case Study-Based Questions |
4 |
3 |
All questions |
By knowing the CBSE class 10 paper pattern 2025-26 for Maths, students can focus on high-weightage units and understand the types of questions that are likely to appear in the board exam. To further improve your marks, it is also helpful to practice questions from CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Papers for Mathematics.
CBSE Class 10 Paper Pattern 2025-26 For Science
According to the CBSE class 10 paper pattern 2025-26 for Science, the theory paper will be of 80 marks, and 20 marks will be for internal assessment. The subject includes chapters from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Some of the important topics are Light and Electricity in Physics, Carbon and its Compounds in Chemistry, and Life Processes along with Control and Coordination in Biology. Check the CBSE Class 10 Science Unit-Wise Weightage 2025-26 here:
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Chemical Substances—Nature and Behaviour: 25 marks
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World of Living: 25 marks
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Natural Phenomena: 12 marks
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Effects of Current: 13 marks
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Natural Resources: 5 marks
Find the detailed CBSE Class 10 Paper Pattern 2025-26 for Science as given below:
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme For Science |
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|
Section |
Question Type |
Number of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
A |
MCQs (Simple/Complex) |
16 |
1 |
16 |
|
Assertion–Reasoning |
4 |
1 |
4 |
|
|
B |
Short Answer (SA) |
6 |
2 |
12 |
|
C |
Short Answer (SA) |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
D |
Long Answer (LA) |
3 |
5 |
15 |
|
E |
Source/Case/Passage-Based Questions |
3 |
4 |
12 |
Note: Around 33% of the questions in each section will have an internal choice.
By following the CBSE exam pattern 2025 class 10 for Science, students can prioritize units as per their weightage of marks during preparation. Also, practice answering different types of questions from CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers to score better.
CBSE Marking Scheme 2025 Class 10 with Exam Pattern For Social Science
As per the CBSE marking scheme 2025 class 10 for Social Science, the theory paper is of 80 marks, and 20 marks are for internal assessment. The subject is divided into four parts: History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
It is important to focus more on high-weightage Social Science topics and also prepare well for map-based questions, because they carry extra marks. Check the CBSE Class 10 Social Science Unit-Wise Weightage 2025-26 here:
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History (India and the Contemporary World – II): 18 marks + 2 marks for map pointing
-
Geography (Contemporary India – II): 17 marks + 3 marks for map pointing
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Political Science (Democratic Politics – II): 20 marks
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Economics (Understanding Economic Development): 20 marks
CBSE Marking Scheme 2025 Class 10 with Exam Pattern for Social Science is given below:
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme For Social Science |
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|
Section |
Question Numbers |
Type of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
Word Limit / Details |
|
A |
Q1 – Q20 |
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
1 |
20 |
NA |
|
B |
Q21 – Q24 |
Very Short Answer Questions |
2 |
8 |
Up to 40 words |
|
C |
Q25 – Q29 |
Short Answer Questions |
3 |
15 |
Up to 60 words |
|
D |
Q30 – Q33 |
Long Answer Questions |
5 |
20 |
Up to 120 words |
|
E |
Q34 – Q36 |
Case-Based Questions with Sub-questions |
4 |
12 |
Up to 100 words |
|
F |
Q37a & Q37b |
Map-Based Questions |
NA |
5 |
2 marks for History, 3 marks for Geography |
CBSE Pattern 2025 Class 10 For English
According to the CBSE Pattern 2025 Class 10 for English, the theory exam will be of 80 marks and the internal assessment will be of 20 marks. The questions in the exam from this subject aim to test students' reading, writing, grammar, and literature skills.
The Class 10 English subject has two books: First Flight (prose and poems) and Footprints Without Feet (supplementary), along with grammar topics and creative writing tasks such as letters and analytical paragraphs. Check the CBSE Class 10 English Marks Weightage 2025-26 given here:
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CBSE Class 10 English Marks Weightage 2025-26 |
|||
|
Section Name |
Competencies Tested |
Total Marks |
Weightage |
|
Reading Comprehension |
Conceptual understanding, decoding, analysis, inference, interpretation, vocabulary |
20 |
25% |
|
Writing Skills and Grammar |
Creative expression, reasoning, justification, illustration, proper style and tone, fluency, accurate grammar use |
20 |
25% |
|
Language through Literature |
Recall, reasoning, appreciation, application of literary conventions, extracting key ideas, identifying themes, and interpreting the author’s message |
40 |
50% |
Find the detailed CBSE Pattern 2025 Class 10 for English to plan your studies in a proper way:
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for English 2025-26 |
|||||
|
Section |
Topic |
Number of Questions |
Mark Per Question |
Marks (out of 80) |
Duration of Exam |
|
Section-A (Reading Comprehension Through Unseen Passage) |
Discursive Passage |
06 |
01 |
10 |
03 Hours |
|
02 |
02 |
||||
|
Case-based Factual Passage |
06 |
01 |
10 |
||
|
02 |
02 |
||||
|
Section-B (Grammar) |
Determinants, Tenses, Modals, Subject-Verb Concord, Reported Speech, Commands and Requests, Statements, Questions |
12 (Attempt only 10) |
01 |
10 |
|
|
Section-B (Creative Writing Skills) |
Writing a format letter based on a given situation |
2 (attempt only 1) |
05 |
10 |
|
|
Writing an analytical paragraph on a given Map/Chart /Graph/Cue |
2 (attempt only 1) |
05 |
|||
|
Section-C (Literature) |
Reference to the Context |
04 + 04 |
05 + 05 |
40 |
|
|
One extract out of two from Drama/Prose |
|||||
|
One extract out of two from poetry |
|||||
|
Short Answer Type Questions (First Flight) |
5 (attempt only 4) |
4*3 |
|||
|
Short Answer Type Questions (Footprints without Feet) |
3 (attempt only 2) |
2*3 |
|||
|
Very Long Answer Type Questions (First Flight) |
2 (attempt only 1) |
6*1 |
|||
|
Very Long Answer Type Questions (Footprints without Feet) |
2 (attempt only 1) |
6*1 |
|||
Check Out: CBSE Chapterwise Class 10 Topper Handwritten Notes For 2026 Exams
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme For Hindi
CBSE Class 10 Hindi curriculum helps students strengthen their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The course has two textbooks: क्षितिज भाग–2 and कृतिका भाग–2, along with grammar and writing skills such as essays, formal letters, and creative compositions. In the Hindi section, the theory exam carries 80 marks, and 20 marks are allotted for internal assessment. Find the section-wise weightage of Hindi here:
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CBSE Class 10 Hindi Marks Weightage 2025-26 |
|||
|
Section Name |
Competencies Tested |
Total Marks |
Weightage |
|
Reading Comprehension |
Conceptual understanding, decoding, analyzing, inferring, interpreting, vocabulary |
20 |
25% |
|
Writing Skills & Grammar |
Creative expression, reasoning, justification, proper style and tone, appropriate format, and grammar accuracy |
20 |
25% |
|
Language through Literature |
Recall, reasoning, appreciation, applying literary conventions, extracting key ideas, identifying themes, and interpreting the author’s message |
40 |
50% |
Check the detailed CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for Hindi here:
|
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme For Hindi |
||||||
|
Section |
Topic |
Subtopic |
No. of Questions |
Mark Per Question |
Marks (out of 80) |
Duration of Exam |
|
Part-A (MCQ Type Questions) |
Comprehension ability and expression skills on unread prose and poetry |
a. Unseen Passage (250 words) |
5 |
01 |
05 |
3 hours |
|
b. Unseen Poetry (120 words) |
5 |
01 |
05 |
|||
|
Grammar |
a. रचना के आधार पर वाक्य भेद |
5 (attempt only 4) |
01 |
04 |
||
|
b. वाच्य |
5 (attempt only 4) |
01 |
04 |
|||
|
c. पद परिचय |
5 (attempt only 4) |
01 |
04 |
|||
|
d. अलंकार |
5 (attempt only 4) |
01 |
04 |
|||
|
Literature |
a. Pros |
7 |
01 |
07 |
||
|
b. Poetry |
7 |
01 |
07 |
|||
|
Part-B (Subjective Type Questions) |
Pros |
Very Short-form Answers |
4 (attempt only 3) |
02 |
06 |
|
|
Poetry |
Very Short-form Answers |
4 (attempt only 3) |
02 |
06 |
||
|
Supplementary |
Short-form Answers |
3(attempt only 2) |
04 |
08 |
||
|
Writing |
Paragraph Writing (on any 1 of 3 topics} |
3(attempt only 1) |
06 |
06 |
||
|
Letter Writing (Any 1) |
2(attempt only 1) |
05 |
05 |
|||
|
Resume Writing or Email Writing |
2(attempt only 1) |
05 |
05 |
|||
|
Letter Writing /Advertisement Writing |
2(attempt only 1) |
04 |
04 |
|||
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme explained above are for the main subjects so that students can plan their studies more effectively. Along with regular studies, revise important topics daily to improve your marks in the final exams.
How to Prepare for Class 10 Board Exams?
In order to score well in the board exams, one needs a smart study plan, consistent practice, and the right set of study materials for class 10. Check out some effective tips on how to prepare for Class 10 board exams here:
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Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Start by going through the complete syllabus and CBSE Class 10 exam pattern and marking scheme for each subject. This will help you focus more on high-weightage topics and manage your time better.
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Make a Realistic Study Schedule: Make a timetable that has time for learning new topics, revising old ones, and practicing questions. Keep short breaks in between to freshen up and stay focused.
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Practice with CBSE Sample Papers: Solving CBSE Class 10th Sample Papers will help you get familiar with the type of questions and the marking scheme. It also improves your speed and accuracy.
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Solve Previous Year Papers: Solving questions from CBSE Class 10th Previous Year Papers is one of the best ways to understand frequently asked questions and important topics.
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Try Solving Different Types of Questions: Use CBSE Class 10th Question Banks to practice chapter-wise questions. This makes sure that you study deeply and cover all types of questions.
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Revise on a Daily Basis: Use CBSE Class 10th Revision Books every day to quickly go over important formulas, concepts, and questions. This daily habit will make your final revision easier, faster, and more effective.
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Clear Doubts Right Away: Never leave your questions for later. Ask doubts then and there to your teachers to find the right answers and strengthen your understanding of tough topics right away.
Read More: CBSE Class 10 Syllabus
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme FAQs
Q.1. What are the CBSE 10th total marks subject-wise?
Ans. Each main subject in CBSE Class 10 has 100 marks in total, out of which 80 marks are for the theory exam and 20 marks are for internal assessment.
Q.2. When will the Class 10 board exam be conducted?
Ans. The CBSE Class 10 Board Exams 2026 (Phase-I) are expected to be held from February 17, 2026, to March 6, 2026.
Q.3. What is the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025-26?
Ans. As per the pattern of board exam 2025 class 10, each subject will have 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for internal assessment. The paper pattern differs for each subject; that's why it is important to check the official website for subject-wise details.
Q.4. What types of questions are asked in the Class 10th board?
Ans. In the CBSE Class 10 board exam, questions can be objective, short answer, or descriptive. Internal choices are also given in different sections of the paper.
