Old board papers are the closest thing a Class 10 student has to the real exam. CBSE publishes the question papers of its board exams on its official website, and its academic unit separately publishes sample question papers with marking schemes for the current session. Used together, they show you the paper format, the type of questions that keep coming back, and how answers are marked.
This guide explains where to find genuine CBSE Class 10 previous year question papers, which years are available as of 3 November 2026, what to focus on in each core subject, and a practical method to get real value out of every paper you solve.
- Board: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Previous year papers: 2026 (main and second board exam) and 2025, on cbse.gov.in
- Sample papers 2026-27: Released with marking schemes on cbseacademic.nic.in
- Format: Subject-wise ZIP files containing PDF papers
- 2027 date sheet: Not released as of 3 November 2026
Where to Download CBSE Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers
The safest source is the Question Paper page on cbse.gov.in. It currently lists papers for 2026 and 2025. For 2026 you will find two sets for Class 10: the main board examination papers and the papers of the Second Board Examination for Class X. The 2025 section also has the compartment (supplementary) papers.
Each subject is given as a ZIP file. One subject file usually contains several sets of the same paper, because CBSE uses different sets in different regions. Download the ZIP, extract it, and open the PDFs.
- Open the CBSE website, cbse.gov.in, and go to the Question Paper section (link at the end of this article).
- Choose the year: 2026 or 2025.
- Pick the examination: main examination, or the Second Board Examination X / compartment list.
- Click the subject you need, such as Science or Mathematics Standard, to download the ZIP.
- Extract the file and save the PDFs subject-wise so you can come back to them.
Avoid random PDF sites that ask you to sign up or install an app. Many of them carry retyped papers with errors or old-syllabus questions.
Previous Year Papers vs Sample Question Papers
| Feature | Previous year question papers | Sample question papers (SQP) |
|---|---|---|
| Published by | CBSE (cbse.gov.in) | CBSE Academic Unit (cbseacademic.nic.in) |
| What it is | Actual papers used in a past board exam | Model paper for the coming exam |
| Answers | Papers only | Marking scheme released with each SQP |
| Best use | Timed practice, spotting repeated question types | Understanding the current pattern and marking |
For the 2027 exams, CBSE has published the Class 10 sample question papers and marking schemes for session 2026-27 in all major subjects, including Science, Mathematics (Standard and Basic), Social Science, English (Language and Literature and Communicative), Hindi A and Hindi B. Solve the SQP first to understand the current pattern, then use previous year papers for repeated practice.
Subject-Wise Focus for Class 10 Previous Year Papers
Mathematics (Standard and Basic)
CBSE offers two levels of Mathematics in Class 10. Practise the papers of the level you have registered for. The NCERT chapters you will see across papers include:
- Real Numbers, Polynomials, Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions
- Triangles, Coordinate Geometry, Circles
- Introduction to Trigonometry and Some Applications of Trigonometry
- Areas Related to Circles, Surface Areas and Volumes
- Statistics and Probability
Questions on trigonometry, quadratic equations and case-based problems on statistics and probability show up across years. Write each step, since the marking scheme gives step marks.
Science
The Science paper covers physics, chemistry and biology chapters from the NCERT textbook. Previous papers help most with diagram-based questions, chemical equations, ray diagrams and assertion-reason items. After each paper, check your answers against the marking scheme of the matching sample paper to see which keywords examiners look for.
Social Science
Social Science has four parts: History, Geography, Political Science and Economics. Map work carries marks, so practise the map questions from every paper you solve. Common NCERT chapters include The Rise of Nationalism in Europe and Nationalism in India in History, Resources and Development and Water Resources in Geography, Power Sharing and Federalism in Political Science, and Development and Money and Credit in Economics. Confirm the exact chapter list in the CBSE curriculum for 2026-27 before you start.
English
English papers test reading comprehension, writing skills, grammar and literature. Old papers help you practise unseen passages under time pressure and learn the formats for letters and analytical paragraphs. Keep to the word limits given in each question and follow the format shown in the marking scheme.
Hindi
Check whether you are in Hindi Course A or Course B, as the papers are different. Use the papers to practise grammar sections and the writing tasks, and to revise the prose and poetry chapters from your textbook.
How to Solve a Previous Year Paper the Right Way
- Finish the chapters first. A paper is a test of what you know, not a replacement for the textbook.
- Sit for the full paper in one go, with a timer set to the actual exam duration.
- Read the whole paper in the first few minutes and decide the order in which you will attempt sections.
- Do not leave the long-answer questions for the last few minutes.
- Check your answers with the official marking scheme, not with an unofficial answer key.
- Keep a mistakes notebook. Write down every error and the correct method, and revise it weekly.
- Repeat the subjects where your score is lowest.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Solving papers without completing the syllabus.
- Memorising answers without understanding the concept behind them.
- Skipping difficult chapters because they did not appear in one particular year.
- Practising papers but never checking the answers.
- Using papers from very old years without checking whether the syllabus or pattern has changed.
- Ignoring the marking scheme while reviewing mistakes.
- Leaving all revision to the last few days.
How Many Years of Papers Should You Practise?
Start with the 2026 main exam paper, then the 2026 second board exam paper, and then the 2025 papers. These are the closest to the current pattern. If you have more time, older papers are still useful for practice in Mathematics and Science, but check every question against the 2026-27 syllabus before you attempt it.
For the latest exam schedule, see our update on the CBSE 10th date sheet 2027. The rules for the second exam are explained in CBSE two board exams for Class 10, and passing criteria in CBSE passing marks 2027.
Where can I download CBSE Class 10 previous year question papers?
From the Question Paper section of cbse.gov.in. Papers for 2026 and 2025 are available subject-wise as ZIP files.
Are answers given with the previous year papers?
The question paper page has papers only. CBSE releases marking schemes with its sample question papers on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Are Mathematics Standard and Basic papers different?
Yes. CBSE sets separate papers for Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic. Practise the one you registered for.
Have the CBSE Class 10 sample papers for 2026-27 been released?
Yes. Sample question papers and marking schemes for 2026-27 are available on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Should I finish the syllabus before solving papers?
Yes. Solve full papers after completing the chapters, and use chapter-wise questions from old papers while you study.
Official Links: CBSE Class 10 Question Papers
| What it is | Official link |
|---|---|
| CBSE official website | www.cbse.gov.in |
| Previous year question papers (2026, 2025) | www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/question-paper.html |
| Class 10 sample papers and marking schemes 2026-27 | cbseacademic.nic.in/SQP_CLASSX_2026-27.html |
| CBSE curriculum 2026-27 | cbseacademic.nic.in/curriculum_2027.html |
