CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025–26: Changes, Marking Scheme & Subject-Wise Details
Ananya Gupta16 Dec, 2025
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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: The CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 has been updated by CBSE to make board exams more structured and competency-based. As per the CBSE board exam pattern 2025-26, class 10 students must clearly understand the revised question paper structure, marking scheme, and subject-wise weightage. Subjects like Science and Social Science now focus more on application and conceptual clarity. Knowing the exam pattern helps in better time management, prioritising important sections, and improving overall performance in the Class 10 board exams.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Competency-Based Assessment Highlights
The CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025–26 has been redesigned to promote conceptual understanding, analytical thinking, and flexible evaluation. The updated structure ensures a balanced mix of competency-based, objective, and descriptive questions for fair assessment.
| CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025: Competency-Based Assessment Highlights | |
| Exam Component | Details as per CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2025–26 |
| Competency-Based Questions | 50% weightage (MCQs, case study-based, source-based questions) |
| Objective-Type Questions | 20% weightage (short, fact-based questions) |
| Short & Long Answer Questions | 30% weightage (descriptive and analytical questions) |
| Theory Examination | 80 marks |
| Internal Assessment | 20 marks (tests, assignments, projects, practicals) |
| Two Board Exams | Conducted within one academic year |
| Grading System | 9-point grading system |
CBSE Class 10 Exam Structure 2025–26- Theory & Internal Exam
The CBSE Board exam pattern 2025-26 class 10 is designed to ensure a balanced evaluation of students through theory-based questions and internal assessments. The pattern focuses on competency, conceptual clarity, and consistent performance throughout the academic year.
| CBSE Class 10 Exam Structure 2025–26- Theory & Internal Exam | ||
|
Assessment Component |
Weightage / Marks |
Details |
|
Theory Examination |
||
|
Competency-Based Questions |
50% (of 80 marks) |
MCQs, case study-based, and source-based questions |
|
Objective-Type Questions |
20% (of 80 marks) |
Short, fact-based, direct-answer questions (mostly MCQs) |
|
Short & Long Answer Questions |
30% (of 80 marks) |
Descriptive and analytical answers requiring explanation |
|
Internal Assessment |
||
|
Periodic Tests |
5 marks |
Regular school-level tests during the academic year |
|
Practical / Lab Work |
5 marks |
Hands-on experiments and practical activities |
|
Assignments & Projects |
5 marks |
Subject-based projects testing application and creativity |
|
Portfolio Assessment |
5 marks |
Overall classroom performance and student participation |
CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Exam Pattern 2025–26
The CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Exam Pattern 2025–26 remains unchanged and is the same for both Basic and Standard Maths. The paper is designed to test conceptual clarity, application, and problem-solving skills.
Maths Question Paper Structure (80 Marks)
| Section | Question Type | Question Numbers | Marks per Question |
| A | MCQs & Assertion–Reason | Q1–Q18, Q19–20 | 1 mark |
| B | Very Short Answer | Q21–25 | 2 marks |
| C | Short Answer | Q26–31 | 3 marks |
| D | Long Answer | Q32–35 | 5 marks |
| E | Case Study-Based | Q36–38 | 4 marks (1+1+2) |
Internal choice is provided in 2 questions each from Sections B, C, and D, and in all questions of 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 |
CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2025–26 (Revised)
The CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2025–26 is divided into Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, with higher weightage for Biology and equal marks for Chemistry and Physics. The table below gives a clear, quick overview for easy understanding.
| Component | Details |
| Total Questions | 39 (All compulsory) |
| Section A | Biology – Q1 to Q16 |
| Section B | Chemistry – Q17 to Q29 |
| Section C | Physics – Q30 to Q39 |
| Marks Distribution | Biology: 30 marksChemistry: 25 marksPhysics: 25 marks |
| Total Marks | 80 |
| Question Types | MCQs / VSA (1 mark)Short Answer (2–3 marks, 40–60 words)Long Answer (4–5 marks, 100–120 words)Assertion–Reason questions (1 mark)Case/Experiment/Diagram-based questions (3–4 marks) |
| Choice Pattern | No overall choice; internal choice available in some questions |
| Special Provision | Alternative questions for visually impaired candidates in place of diagram-based questions |
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 |
CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2025–26 (Revised)
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science Question Paper Structure 2025–26 is now subject-wise and section-based, making the paper more organised and easier to attempt. Below are two clear tables for quick understanding.
|
Component |
Details |
|
Total Questions |
38 (All compulsory) |
|
Section A |
History |
|
Section B |
Geography |
|
Section C |
Political Science |
|
Section D |
Economics |
|
Marks per Section |
20 marks each |
|
Very Short Answer (VSA) |
2 marks (≈40 words) |
|
Short Answer (SA) |
3 marks (≈60 words) |
|
Long Answer (LA) |
5 marks (≈120 words) |
|
Case-Based Questions (CBQ) |
4 marks (3 sub-questions, ≈100 words) |
|
Map-Based Questions |
5 marks totalHistory: Q9 (2 marks)Geography: Q19 (3 marks) |
|
Choice Pattern |
No overall choice; internal choice in some questions |
|
Special Provision |
Alternative questions for visually impaired candidates (instead of map/visual questions) |
Unit-Wise Weightage – CBSE Class 10 Social Science
| Unit and Topic | Weightage (Marks) |
| Unit 1: India and Contemporary World II | 18+2 Map Work |
| Unit 2: Contemporary India II | 17+3 Map work |
| Unit 3: Democratic Politics II | 20 |
| Unit 4: Understanding Economic Development | 20 |
| Total Marks (Theory) | 80 |
| Total Marks (Internal Assessment) | 20 |
| Grand Total | 100 |
CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks Theory)
The CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025–26 consists of an 80-mark theory paper designed to test students’ overall language proficiency. The paper is divided into Reading, Writing & Grammar, and Literature sections, ensuring equal emphasis on comprehension skills, clear expression, grammatical accuracy, and understanding of prescribed texts.
| CBSE Class 10 English Exam Pattern 2025–26 | ||
|
Section |
Question Type / Details |
Marks |
|
English Language & Literature |
||
|
Reading |
Discursive passage |
10 |
|
Case-based factual passage with visual input |
10 |
|
|
Writing & Grammar |
Grammar questions |
10 |
|
Formal letter writing |
5 |
|
|
Analytical paragraph writing |
5 |
|
|
Literature |
Extract-based (Drama/Prose) |
5 |
|
Extract-based (Poetry) |
5 |
|
|
Short answer – First Flight |
12 |
|
|
Short answer – Footprints Without Feet |
6 |
|
|
Long answer – First Flight |
6 |
|
|
Long answer – Footprints Without Feet |
6 |
|
|
English Communicative |
||
|
Reading Skills |
Two passages (discursive & factual/case-based) |
22 |
|
Writing Skills |
Application (3), factual description (4) |
7 |
|
Letter to editor (choice-based) |
7 |
|
|
Article writing (choice-based) |
8 |
|
|
Grammar |
Fill in the blanks, omission, transformation |
10 |
|
Literature |
Extract-based questions |
8 |
|
Short answer questions |
10 |
|
|
Long answer question (choice-based) |
8 |
|
|
80 Marks |
||
CBSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2025–26
The CBSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2025–26 for both Hindi Course A and Hindi Course B follows a structured format with four sections (A to D). Both papers are of 80 marks, with internal choices in some questions,
CBSE Class 10 Hindi Course A Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks)
| Section | Area | Question Details | Marks |
| A | अपठित बोध (Unseen Comprehension) | गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7काव्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 | 14 |
| B | व्यावहारिक व्याकरण (Applied Grammar) | वाक्य भेद – 4वाच्य परिवर्तन – 4पद परिचय – 4अलंकार पहचान – 4 | 16 |
| C | पाठ्य पुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्य पुस्तक | गद्यांश MCQs – 5गद्य से लघु उत्तरीय – 6काव्यांश MCQs – 5काव्य से लघु उत्तरीय – 6पूरक पुस्तक से दीर्घ उत्तरीय – 8 | 30 |
| D | रचनात्मक लेखन (Creative Writing) | अनुच्छेद लेखन – 6पत्र लेखन / औपचारिक पत्र – 5स्ववृत्त / आवेदन / ई-मेल – 5विज्ञापन / संदेश लेखन – 4 | 20 |
| Total | 80 Marks |
CBSE Class 10 Hindi Course B Exam Pattern 2025–26 (80 Marks)
| Section | Area | Question Details | Marks |
| A | अपठित बोध (Unseen Comprehension) | दो गद्यांश आधारित प्रश्न (MCQs + लघु उत्तरीय) – 7 + 7 | 14 |
| B | व्यावहारिक व्याकरण (Applied Grammar) | पदबंध – 4वाक्य रूपांतरण – 4समास – 4मुहावरे – 4 | 16 |
| C | पाठ्य पुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्य पुस्तक | गद्यांश MCQs – 5गद्य से लघु उत्तरीय – 6काव्यांश MCQs – 5काव्य से लघु उत्तरीय – 6पूरक पुस्तक से दीर्घ उत्तरीय – 6 | 28 |
| D | रचनात्मक लेखन (Creative Writing) | अनुच्छेद लेखन – 5पत्र लेखन – 5सूचना लेखन – 4विज्ञापन लेखन – 3लघु कथा / ई-मेल – 5 | 22 |
| Total | 80 Marks |