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CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027: Subject-Wise Marks, Weightage & Marking Scheme

• Updated on 19 Oct, 2026 by Umme Kulsum

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The CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 follows the syllabus, assessment structure and question-paper design prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the 2026–27 academic session. According to the official CBSE Class 10 Sample Question Papers (SQPs), there is no change in the question-paper design and assessment pattern for this session. For major academic subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science and English Language & Literature, the assessment generally comprises 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for internal assessment, making 100 marks per subject.

 

The CBSE Class 10 paper pattern 2027 varies by subject. Students may encounter multiple-choice questions (MCQs), assertion-reasoning questions, short-answer and long-answer questions, case-based questions, source-based questions, numerical problems and map-based questions, wherever applicable. The official sample papers also demonstrate how questions assess understanding, application, analysis and interpretation rather than recall alone.

  • CBSE Class 10 Theory examination carries 80 marks for major academic subjects. Generally, 3 hours are allotted for major subjects.
  • Internal assessment carries 20 marks, which includes Periodic Test, Multiple Assessments, Portfolio, and Subject Enrichment Activity.
  • The Mathematics theory paper carries 80 marks. Algebra has the highest weightage of 20 marks.
  • Science has 80 theory marks, where 25 marks are allotted to Chemical Substances and World of Living each.
  • Social Science carries 20 marks each distributed among History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
  • CBSE Class 10 English and Hindi have 80-mark theory papers, including Reading, Writing, Grammar and Literature components.
  • Questions include MCQs, very short answers, short answers, long answers, and case or source-based questions. Competency-based, application-based, and case-based questions form an important part of the paper.
  • Hindi Course-A has अपठित बोध, व्यावहारिक व्याकरण, पाठ्यपुस्तक/पूरक पाठ्यपुस्तक and रचनात्मक लेखन sections.

CBSE has released the subject-wise Class 10 Sample Question Papers for Science, English Language & Literature, Hindi A/B, Mathematics Basic/Standard, and Social Science, and Marking Schemes for 2026-27.

 

Table of Contents
  1. CBSE New Rules for Class 10 2027
  2. CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 for Theory and Internal Assessment
  3. CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2027
  4. CBSE Class 10 Maths Exam Pattern 2027
  5. CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2027
  6. CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Exam Pattern 2027
  7. CBSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2027

 

CBSE New Rules for Class 10 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 indicates that CBSE will conduct two Board Examinations for Class 10 in the same academic year. The first board examination is the main examination and is compulsory for eligible students, while the second examination provides an opportunity for eligible students to improve marks or clear a compartment subject according to CBSE rules. The first/main examination is compulsory, while eligible students can appear in the second examination for improvement or other permitted categories. BothCBSE Class 10 exams 2027 are conducted on the full syllabus prescribed for the academic year, and the scheme of studies and scheme of examinations remain the same.

CBSE Class 10 Rule

Details for 2027

Number of Board Exams

Two Board Examinations

First/ Main Examination

Compulsory for students

Second Examination

Available to eligible students under CBSE rules

Syllabus

Full-year syllabus

Scheme of Examination

Same for both examinations

Internal Assessment

Year-long assessment; it is not improved through the second examination

Improvement

Permitted in subjects/categories specified by CBSE

Class XI Admission

Students can use the main-examination performance for admission if they do not wish to appear in the second examination

Result

Main and second examination results follow the CBSE schedule and rules

CheckCBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2027

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 for Theory and Internal Assessment

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 provides a 100-mark assessment structure for the major academic subjects, with 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for internal assessment. The 80-mark theory paper is conducted by CBSE, while the internal assessment is completed at the school level according to subject-specific assessment components.

Subject

Theory Marks

Internal Assessment

Total Marks

Mathematics Basic

80

20

100

Mathematics Standard

80

20

100

Science

80

20

100

Social Science

80

20

100

English Language & Literature

80

20

100

Hindi Course-A

80

20

100

Hindi Course-B

80

20

100

 

CBSE Class 10 Question Types 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 uses different combinations of question types across subjects rather than applying one identical paper structure to every subject. Students can therefore expect objective questions, assertion-reasoning questions, competency-based questions, case/source-based questions, short-answer questions, and long-answer questions depending on the subject. For example, the official Mathematics SQP contains 18 MCQs and two assertion-reasoning questions in Section A, followed by 2-mark, 3-mark, 5-mark, and case-study questions. The Social Science SQP specifically identifies MCQs, VSA, SA, LA, and case-based questions, while also including map-based questions.

Question type

Typical format

Skills tested

Objective questions

MCQs, assertion-reasoning, fill-in-the-blanks or matching

Recall, understanding and quick application

Very short-answer questions

One-word, one-line or brief responses

Definitions, facts and basic concepts

Short-answer questions

Two- or three-mark answers

Explanation, reasoning and application

Long-answer questions

Four- or five-mark answers

Analysis, evaluation and structured presentation

Case-based questions

Passage, data, situation or source followed by questions

Interpretation and application

Source-based questions

Extract, map, chart, image or documentary source

Reading, inference and evidence-based answers

Numerical questions

Formula-based or application problems

Calculation and problem-solving

Map-based questions

Identification, locating or labelling

Geographical and historical map skills

CheckCBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2027

 

CBSE Class 10 Total Marks: Is It 500 or 600?

The CBSE Class 10 total marks depend on the number of subjects a student takes and the maximum marks assigned to each subject. If a student takes five subjects carrying 100 marks each, the total is 500 marks. If the student takes six subjects carrying 100 marks each, the total across those six subjects is 600 marks.

 

For the major academic subjects covered in this article, each subject generally carries 80 theory marks and 20 internal-assessment marks. Therefore, students should calculate their aggregate using the subjects applicable to their registration rather than assuming that every student has the same total.

Calculation

Total marks

5 subjects × 100 marks

500

6 subjects × 100 marks

600

One major academic subject: theory + internal assessment

80 + 20 = 100

The total used to calculate a student's percentage should match the subjects and assessment scheme applicable to that student. Additional subjects and subject-specific assessment structures can affect the calculation.

 

CBSE Class 10 Science Exam Pattern 2027

The CBSE Class 10 Science theory paper carries 80 marks and has a duration of three hours. The official 2026–27 sample question paper contains 39 questions divided into three sections: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The Science SQP includes 1-mark objective and assertion-reasoning questions, followed by 2-mark, 3-mark, 4-mark, and 5-mark questions. Several questions provide internal choices.

 

According to the official sample paper, the competency distribution is 50% for knowledge and understanding, 30% for application of knowledge and concepts, and 20% for analysis, evaluation and creation. Students should use the prescribed curriculum for unit-wise weightage and the sample paper for the paper's structure. The SQP is divided into Biology, Chemistry and Physics rather than into conventional chapter-wise sections. Section A – Biology carries 30 marks, Section B – Chemistry carries 25 marks, and Section C – Physics carries 25 marks.

Science Unit

Marks

Chemical Substances—Nature and Behaviour

25

World of Living

25

Natural Phenomena

12

Effects of Current

13

Natural Resources

5

Total theory

80

Internal assessment

20

Total

100

 

CBSE Class 10 Maths Exam Pattern 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Maths includes separate Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard papers. The theory paper carries 80 marks and is conducted over 3 hours. CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Maths unit-wise weightage assigns the highest marks to Algebra, followed by Geometry, Statistics and Probability, Trigonometry, and Mensuration.

Mathematics Unit

Marks

Number Systems

6

Algebra

20

Coordinate Geometry

6

Geometry

15

Trigonometry

12

Mensuration

10

Statistics and Probability

11

Total theory

80

Internal assessment

20

Total

100

The official 2026-27 SQPs show the same five-section structure and marks distribution for Mathematics Basic and Standard.

 

CBSE Class 10 Maths Basic and Standard Pattern 2027

CBSE offers Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard as separate Class 10 examination options. Both have their own official 2026–27 sample question paper and marking scheme. Students should check the paper applicable to their registered subject instead of preparing from a single sample paper.

 

The two options assess the prescribed mathematical concepts but differ in the level and nature of questions. To prepare effectively, students should practise the relevant sample paper, review the official marking scheme and check the current Mathematics curriculum for unit-wise weightage and internal-assessment requirements.

Competency level

Mathematics Standard

Mathematics Basic

Remembering and understanding

43 marks, approximately 54%

60 marks, approximately 75%

Applying

19 marks, approximately 24%

12 marks, approximately 15%

Analysing, evaluating and creating

18 marks, approximately 22%

8 marks, approximately 10%

Total

80 marks

80 marks

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 for Maths Internal Assessment

CBSE Class 10 Maths internal assessment carries 20 marks. The official Mathematics curriculum divides these marks between pen-paper and multiple assessment, portfolio, and laboratory practical work.

Internal assessment component

Marks

Pen-paper test and multiple assessment

10

Portfolio

5

Mathematics laboratory practical work

5

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 Social Science Exam Pattern 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Social Science carries 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment. The 80-mark theory paper is divided equally among History, Political Science, Geography, and Economics, with each section contributing 20 marks, including map work, where applicable. The official SQP contains 38 questions and includes MCQs, very short-answer questions, short-answer questions, long-answer questions, and case-based questions. The paper also contains 5 marks of map-based questions, with 2 marks from History and 3 marks from Geography.

Social Science component

Theory marks

History

20, including map pointing

Geography

20, including map pointing

Political Science

20

Economics

20

Total theory

80

Internal assessment

20

Total

100

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Social Science internal assessment carries 20 marks and includes periodic assessment, multiple assessment, subject-enrichment project work and portfolio.

Internal assessment component

Marks

Periodic assessment

5

Multiple assessment

5

Subject-enrichment activity/project

5

Portfolio

5

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 History

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 History carries 20 marks in the Social Science paper. The History section therefore tests factual recall as well as chronology, interpretation, source analysis and map skills. The board syllabus includes The Rise of Nationalism in Europe, Nationalism in India, selected portions of The Making of a Global World and Print Culture and the Modern World. The official SQP includes four one-mark questions, a 2-mark question, a 3-mark question, a 5-mark question, a 4-mark source-based question and a 2-mark map question.

Question Component

Marks

Objective Questions

4

Very Short Answer

2

Short Answer

3

Long Answer

5

Source-Based/ Case-Based

4

Map Skill-Based

2

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Geography

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Geography carries 20 marks and combines objective questions, a 2-mark answer, a 5-mark long-answer question, a 4-mark case-based question, and a 3-mark map-based question. The written exam tests understanding of resources, agriculture, water, minerals, manufacturing and the national economy.

Question Component

Marks

Objective Questions

6

Very Short Answer

2

Long Answer

5

Case-Based Question

4

Map Skill-Based Question

3

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Political Science

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Political Science carries 20 marks, including objective questions, 2-mark answers, a 3-mark analytical question, a 5-mark long-answer question, and a 4-mark case-based question. The syllabus covers Power Sharing, Federalism, Gender, Religion and Caste, Political Parties, and Outcomes of Democracy.

Question Component

Marks

Objective Questions

4

Very Short Answer

4

Short Answer

3

Long Answer

5

Case-Based Question

4

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Economics

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Economics carries 20 marks and begins with six one-mark objective questions. It then moves to three 3-mark questions and one 5-mark case/data-based question. The prescribed areas include Development, Sectors of the Indian Economy, Money and Credit, and specified portions of Globalization and the Indian Economy.

Question Component

Marks

Objective Questions

6

Short Answer Questions

9

Long/ Data-Based Question

5

Total

20

 

CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature Exam Pattern 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 English Language and Literature carries 80 marks in the theory paper and is divided into three sections: Reading Skills, Grammar and Creative Writing Skills, and Literature Textbook. The written examination generally tests reading comprehension, grammar and creative writing, along with literature from the prescribed textbooks. The official 2026-27 SQP contains 11 questions, with all questions compulsory.

English Language and Literature Section

Marks

Reading skills

20

Writing skills and grammar

20

Language through literature

40

Total theory

80

Internal assessment

20

Total

100

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 indicates that the literature section particularly includes extract-based questions, 40–50-word short-answer questions, 100–120-word long-answer questions, and questions requiring comparison, analysis, evaluation and interpretation of literary texts. CBSE Class 10 question types include unseen passages, analytical or inferential questions, grammar questions, formal writing tasks, extract-based literature questions, and short or long answers from the prescribed books.

Question area

Skills tested

Reading comprehension

Inference, interpretation, vocabulary and analysis

Grammar

Accuracy and application of language rules

Formal writing

Organization, format, expression and content

Literature extracts

Interpretation and textual understanding

Short answers

Theme, character, event and evidence-based response

Long answers

Analysis, evaluation and coherent presentation

 

CBSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2027

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Hindi carries 80 marks in the theory examination and is divided into four sections in Hindi Course-A: अपठित बोध, व्यावहारिक व्याकरण, पाठ्यपुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्यपुस्तक, and रचनात्मक लेखन. The CBSE Academic portal has published separate Hindi A and Hindi B Sample Question Papers and Marking Schemes for the 2026–27 examination. The official 2026-27 Hindi Course-A SQP contains 15 questions, with all questions compulsory.

Section

Area

Marks

खंड-क

अपठित बोध

14

खंड-ख

व्यावहारिक व्याकरण

16

खंड-ग

पाठ्यपुस्तक एवं पूरक पाठ्यपुस्तक

30

खंड-घ

रचनात्मक लेखन

20

Total

Theory

80

CBSE Class 10 Hindi Exam Pattern 2027 includes unseen passage comprehension, grammar-based questions, literature-based questions, and writing tasks. The Hindi Course-A SQP has two questions under अपठित बोध, four questions under व्यावहारिक व्याकरण, five questions under the textbook and supplementary textbook section, and four questions under creative writing. The creative writing section includes formats such as:

  • अनुच्छेद लेखन
  • पत्र लेखन
  • स्ववृत्त/ई-मेल writing
  • विज्ञापन or similar short-format writing tasks

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Hindi A and Hindi B should be studied separately because students receive different literature sections and prescribed textbooks. The broad assessment areas remain reading, writing, grammar, and literature.

Hindi assessment area

What students should prepare

अपठित बोध

Unseen prose and poetry passages

व्यावहारिक व्याकरण

Prescribed grammar topics

रचनात्मक लेखन

Formal and creative writing formats

साहित्य

Prose, poetry, themes, characters and explanations

Internal assessment

School-based tests, activities, portfolio or subject-specific tasks

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Hindi for Internal Assessment

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 Hindi internal assessment carries 20 marks.

Component

Marks

Internal assessment

20

Theory paper

80

Total

100

 

CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2027

The CBSE Class 10 marking scheme explains how marks are awarded for answers in the board examination. It helps students understand the expected answer points, steps in numerical solutions, and the marks assigned to individual questions. The marking scheme should be read alongside the corresponding subject's sample question paper.

 

CBSE has published the 2026–27 Class X sample question papers and marking schemes for major subjects, including Science, Mathematics Basic, Mathematics Standard, Social Science, English Language & Literature, Hindi A and Hindi B. Students should download the paper and marking scheme for the subject and course they are studying. To use the marking scheme effectively:

  1. Attempt the sample paper under the prescribed time limit.
  2. Compare each response with the official marking scheme.
  3. Identify missing concepts, calculation steps or explanation points.
  4. Review the marks assigned to each question and improve answer presentation.
  5. Practise the questions again without referring to the answers.

A sample paper is a practice resource, not a prediction of the exact questions in the board examination.

 

CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2027 FAQs

What is the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern for 2027?

Major subjects generally have an 80-mark theory paper and 20 marks of internal assessment. Question types vary by subject and include MCQs, short answers and case-based questions.

Is CBSE Class 10 out of 500 or 600 marks?

Five subjects carrying 100 marks each total 500 marks. Six subjects carrying 100 marks each total 600 marks, depending on the subjects taken.

Has the CBSE Class 10 paper pattern changed for 2027?

CBSE's 2026–27 sample papers state that the question-paper design and assessment pattern remain unchanged for the academic session.

What is the CBSE Class 10 subject-wise weightage for 2027?

Major subjects generally carry 80 theory marks and 20 internal-assessment marks. Unit-wise weightage differs by subject; Mathematics allocates 20 marks to Algebra.

What is the marks distribution for History in CBSE Class 10?

History carries 20 marks within the 80-mark Social Science theory paper. It assesses historical concepts, source interpretation and prescribed map skills.

What grade is 87% in CBSE Class 10?

An 87% aggregate does not guarantee a specific CBSE grade. Class 10 grades are awarded subject-wise based on the applicable relative grading process.

Is 22 out of 70 passing marks in CBSE Class 10?

No, 22/70 is below 33%. However, passing depends on the applicable subject rules and the combined theory and internal-assessment marks, where applicable.

Is CBSE Class 10 easy in 2027?

Difficulty varies by student. The 2026–27 pattern includes application-based and analytical questions, so practising sample papers and understanding concepts can help.

What is the difference between weightage and marking scheme?

Weightage specifies marks allotted to a unit or competency, while the marking scheme explains how marks are awarded for individual answers.

What is the CBSE Class 10 internal assessment worth?

Internal assessment generally carries 20 marks in major academic subjects. Its components vary by subject and may include periodic tests, portfolios and practical or enrichment activities.

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