CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026: As students gear up for the upcoming academic year, understanding the new CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for 2026 is crucial. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced changes to the exam structure and marking scheme, which will significantly impact how students prepare and perform in their Class 10 examinations.
Students preparing for CBSE Class 10 exams 2026 can check the exam pattern on this page. It explains the types of questions, difficulty level, exam duration, and other details. Going through the exam pattern will help students plan their preparation better. The CBSE Class 10 board exams 2026 will be held twice. Phase 1 is expected to be held between February 17 and March 6, 2026 (tentative), and Phase 2 between May 5 and 20, 2026 (tentative).
The CBSE Class 10 syllabus 2026 is available online at cbseacademic.nic.in. Students can go to the Syllabus tab and download it for all subjects.
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
Students can explore the table below to know the key highlights of the updated CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2026.
| Name of the Exam | CBSE Secondary Examination 2026 |
| The Conducting Body | Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) |
| Examination Mode | Offline |
| Frequency | Twice a year (The first attempt is compulsory, while the second attempt is optional.) |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Total duration for theory paper | 3 Hours |
CBSE Class 10th Maths Exam Pattern 2026: CBSE Marking Scheme of Maths
To score well in the CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 of mathematics, a clear understanding of the CBSE marking scheme is essential. The theory paper will carry a total of 80 marks, with an additional 20 marks allocated for internal assessment. The detailed unit-wise marking scheme is provided in the table below.
CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Exam Pattern and CBSE Marking Scheme 2026
| Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Marks |
| 1 Mark | 20 | 20 × 1= 20 |
| 2 Marks | 5 | 5 × 2= 10 |
| 3 Marks | 6 | 6× 3= 18 |
| 4 Marks | 3 | 3 × 4= 12 |
| 5 Marks | 4 | 5 × 4 = 20 |
| Total | 38 | 80 |
CBSE 10th Math Exam Pattern for Internal Assessment
| Internal Assessment | Marks | Total Marks |
| Pen Paper Test and Multiple Assessment (5+5) | 10 | 20 marks |
| Lab Practical (Lab activities to be done from the prescribed books) | 5 | |
| Portfolio | 5 |
CBSE Class 10 Date Sheet 2026
CBSE Class 10th Science Exam Pattern 2026: CBSE Marking Scheme of Science
In the CBSE Class 10th Science Exam 2026, the weightage is divided between an 80-mark theory paper and a 20-mark internal assessment. The unit-wise marking scheme and topics incorporated in the CBSE syllabus are also mentioned below:
CBSE Class 10th Science Exam Pattern and CBSE Marking Scheme 2026
| Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| 1 Mark Questions | 20 | 20×1=20 |
| 2 Mark Questions | 6 | 6×2=12 |
| 3 Mark Questions | 7 | 7×3=21 |
| 4 Marks Questions | 3 | 3×4=12 |
| 5 Mark Questions | 3 | 5×3=15 |
| Total | 39 | 80 |
CBSE Class 10 Science Internal Assessment Marks
- Periodic Assessment = 05 marks + 05 marks
- Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) = 05 marks
- Portfolio = 05 marks
CBSE Class 10th Social Science Exam Pattern 2026: CBSE Marking Scheme of Social Science
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science exam will include theory questions and map skills-based questions.
Go through the CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026 exam pattern below:
| Type of Questions | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
| 1 Mark Questions | 20 | 20×1=20 |
| 2 Mark Questions | 4 | 4×2 = 8 |
| 3 Mark Questions | 5 | 3×5 =15 |
| 5 Marks Questions | 5 | 5×5= 25 |
| 4 Mark Questions | 3 | 4×3 = 12 |
| Total | 37 | 80 |
CBSE Class 10 History Exam Pattern and CBSE Marking Scheme 2026
| Topics | Weightage |
| The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
Nationalism in India The Making of a Global World Sub topics1 to 1.3 The Age of Industrialization Print Culture and the Modern World |
18 + 2 Map |
CBSE Class 10 Political Science Exam Pattern and CBSE Marking Scheme 2026
| Topics | Weightage |
| · Power – sharing
· Federalism · Gender, Religion and Caste · Political Parties · Outcomes of Democracy |
20 |
CBSE Class 10 Geography Exam Pattern 2026 and CBSE Marking Scheme
| Topics | Weightage |
| · Resources and Development
· Forest and Wildlife Resources · Water Resources · Agriculture · Minerals and Energy Resources · Manufacturing Industries · Lifelines of National Economy (Only map pointing to be evaluated in the Board Examination) |
17 + 3 Map pointing |
CBSE Class 10 Economics Exam Pattern 2026 and Marking Scheme CBSE Class 10
| Topic | Weightage |
|
20 |
CBSE 10th Exam Pattern Social Science 2026 – Internal Assessment
| Type of Assessment | Description | Marks |
| Periodic Assessment | Pen Paper Test. | 5 |
| Multiple Assessment | Quiz, debate, role play, viva, group discussion, visual expression, interactive bulletin boards, gallery walks, exit cards, concept maps, peer assessment, Selfassessment etc. through Interdisciplinary project | 5 |
| Subject Enrichment Activity | Project Work on Consumer Rights OR Social Issues OR Sustainable Development | 5 |
| Portfolio | Classwork, Work done (activities/ assignments) reflections, narrations, journals, etc. Achievements of the student in the subject throughout the year Participation of the student in different activities like the Heritage India quiz | 5 |
CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for English (Language and Literature) and CBSE Marking Scheme
The English exam pattern for CBSE Class 10 is divided into three sections: A, B, and C, as outlined in the table below:
CBSE Class 10th English Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Topics | Weightage |
| 1 | Reading Skills | 20 |
| 2 | Writing Skills with Grammar | 20 |
| 3 | English Literature (Ques from textbooks) | 40 |
| Total | 80 | |
| Internal Assessment (Based on Assignments & Projects) | 20 | |
| Total Marks | 100 | |
CBSE Class 10 Grading System 2026
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) follows a 9-point grading system to assign grades to students. As per the new CBSE grading system, grades are awarded to students as per their marks in the CBSE 10th exam. The following is a nine-point scoring table:
| Grades | Particulars |
| A-1 | Top 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| A-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| B-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| B-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| C-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| C-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| D-1 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| D-2 | Next 1/8th of the passed candidates |
| E* | *Essential Repeat |
FAQs: CBSE Class 10th Exam Pattern 2026
Q1. What is the CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for 2026?
The CBSE 10th Exam Pattern for 2026 includes an 80-mark theory paper and a 20-mark internal assessment for each subject. This pattern aims to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills throughout the academic year.
Q2. What should students know about the marking scheme of CBSE Class 10 for 2026?
Students should be aware that the marking scheme for CBSE Class 10 in 2026 emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical application. The 80-mark theory exam tests subject knowledge, while the 20-mark internal assessment evaluates ongoing performance.
Q3. How can students utilize the CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 to improve their performance?
Students can utilize the CBSE 10th exam pattern 2026 by focusing on understanding the theory content, preparing for periodic tests, and completing assignments. Balancing study time (race against time phrase meaning) between theory and internal assessments will help improve overall performance.
