Quick Summary: To prepare well for CBSE Class 10 board exams 2025–26, students should make a practical study timetable, focus on key topics first, and regularly revise what they’ve studied. It’s also important to understand the exam pattern and solve previous year papers and sample papers. Along with this, managing stress and following a healthy daily routine play a big role in exam success. This blog discusses effective preparation tips for CBSE Class 10, subject-wise preparation tips, useful materials, and commonly asked FAQs to help student solve their doubts related to CBSE Class 10 preparation.
CBSE 10th Preparation Tips 2025-26: CBSE Class 10 board exams need smart and subject-wise preparation. As the CBSE Class 10 exams are generally conducted in February and March, students should prepare accordingly. Feeling nervous about board exams is a very natural thing; however, with the correct approach, preparation method, and mindset building, the fear and stress can be controlled. For the exam, as with so many things, how you write your answers is just (just in case definition) as important as what you say. A paper presentation is not only for the neat look of your answer, but also to draw the examiners’ attention to your answer in a psychological way. However, make an effort to arrange and write your paper neatly and clearly for the checker.
Take ample time (race against time phrase meaning) to revise the CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2026 well before you start studying. Now that you understand the syllabus, you can score well in your exams by following these Class 10 preparation tips. In this article, we have compiled some CBSE tips for Class 10 board exams that will help you to know how to study well in your 10th class and how to prepare smartly for the upcoming 10th board exam 2026. These are psychological performance tips for stress reduction and performance improvement.
Read More:
- CBSE 10th Board Answer Key & Video Solutions
- CBSE Class 10th Board Exam: Chapter-wise Weightage, Syllabus, Marking Scheme
CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern For 2026
Before going to the Preparation tips, students need to know the new changes in the CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern in 2026. As per the latest draft released by CBSE, there would be two board exams in a year, and the assessment will be competency-based and not based on memorising the content. This new model is more conducive to student performance. If a candidate is unhappy with their first result, they can reappear in the second board exam and score higher.
Below are the main highlights of the new CBSE Class 10 exam pattern:
- Two Board Exams: The students will now be held to board exams twice each year.
- Start of Exam: The exams will start on the Tuesday after 15th February every year.
- Competency-Based Evaluation: This will certainly act as a stepping stone from rote learning to concept understanding.
- Internal Assessment: 20 out of 100 marks will be reserved for internal assessment in all the core subjects.
- Minimum Passing Marks: Students should obtain a minimum of 33% marks in the theory and Internal marks for each of the subjects in order to pass the subject.
- 9-Point Grading: Marks are converted to grades based on a 9-point grading system.
- Paper Duration: Duration of the theory paper will be 3 hours, and each subject will be of 100 marks (80 marks for theory + 20 marks for internal).
Knowing these alterations will aid students in equipping themselves better for the Class 10 Board Exam 2026.
CBSE 10th Board Exam 2026 Twice: Key Updates
| Important Point | Details |
| Marking System | The higher score from either the first or second board exam will be shown on the final marksheet. |
| Merit Certificates | Students who clear all subjects in the second exam will receive a merit certificate. |
| Additional Subjects | After passing Class X, students will not be allowed to add any extra or additional subjects. |
| Passing Criteria | To get a pass status, students must clear a minimum of five subjects. |
| Improvement Option | If a student fails in one to five subjects, they will be considered under the Improvement Category. |
| Exams for Phase 1 & 2 | Both exams will be held on fixed dates. No special exams will be arranged in any case. |
| Feedback Mechanism | The final policy will be prepared after taking suggestions and feedback from all stakeholders. |
| Practical Assessment | All students will appear for only one practical exam, which will be common for everyone. |
Check out: CBSE Class 10 & 12 Syllabus 2025-26: Major Changes & Key Highlights
CBSE Class 10th Preparation Tips 2025
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Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern Well
Before beginning with your preparations, you must know the CBSE Class 10 exam pattern and syllabus. Exam pattern helps to get a fair idea about the total number and types of questions, time duration, scheme of marking, and sections in the paper. So it is necessary to read the full syllabus of CBSE class 10th.
The full marks for each subject in CBSE Class 10 exams are 100, consisting of the following pattern:
- Board Exam: 80 Marks (Minimum 33 % needed in 80 marks to pass for each subject)
- Internal Assessment: 20 Marks, comprising:
- Periodic Tests – 10 marks (average of the Best 2 out of 3 tests is counted)
- Notebook Submission – 5 marks
- Enrichment Activities for the Subject – 5 marks
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Create a Study Timetable
Scoring good marks is possible with a good plan. Students should follow a daily study schedule for better preparation for the CBSE board exams. The routine keeps you in practice and helps boost confidence. Be certain to spend more time working on the subject that is challenging to you, so that you can improve it as well.
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Practice with Sample Papers and Previous Year Questions
For better preparation for the Class 10 CBSE board exam, solve CBSE Class 10 previous year question papers. This is one of the most intelligent methods for you to see how prepared you are, and it also helps to boost your confidence. It will also allow you to better manage your time during the real exam. Together with that practice, CBSE sample papers for class 10, which are provided by CBSE itself, are according to the latest class 10 exam pattern. Practicing these papers on a regular basis will help you highlight your mistakes and improve your overall performance.
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Take Small Breaks While Studying
It’s difficult to maintain concentration if you’ve been studying for long hours without a break. So it is a good idea to get short breaks in between. Minding yourself by taking a short walk around the block or 10–15 minutes of exercise during these breaks will help to keep you fresh and alert. These little breaks will help you keep healthy and mentally fit to tackle tough subjects like science (and others).
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Try Group Study for Class 10 Board Exams
Learning with a friend can make the learning experience more fun and less difficult. In one group study, you can talk through confusing subjects, which can help you grasp them more quickly. In addition, talking and listening during study sessions will make it all the easier to remember. Even the dullest of subjects can become interesting, and you might find yourself studying for hours on end without needing a nap.
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Avoid Using Slang in Exams
Just remember that in English, how we speak and how we write are not the same. Avoid using slang words or SMS- style in your answer sheet, as this will be considered a spelling mistake. This type of language can cause you to lose marks; therefore, ensure that you use the correct form and formal English while writing.
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Get Enough Rest and Sleep
If you feel anxious or stressed, it can have a bad effect on your exam preparation. Make sure you are resting sufficiently to stay calm and alert. Getting a good night’s sleep right before the exam helps keep your brain fresh and improves your performance.
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Write to the Point Answers
Many students seem to miss the fact that solving the answers properly in the exam is the most vital thing. Never exceed the word limit, and please don’t add any extra information. Writing too much or going on a tangent and off topic can mean that you lose marks if your answer is incorrect. Manage the 15-minute reading time wisely before you start writing and plan the answers. Answer writing practice regularly is the remedy that will bring your technique on track.
Download: CBSE Sample Papers Class 10 with Solutions for 2025-26 Exam
Subject-Wise Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10th 2025-26
To effectively prepare for CBSE Class 10th board exams, it’s crucial to understand the syllabus, create a realistic study plan, and utilize effective study techniques for each subject. Listed below are the Subject-wise Preparation Tips for students because each subject has its own requirement and having knowledge about it will ease the student’s preparation.
CBSE 10th Science Preparation Tip for 2025-26
The CBSE Class 10 Science Syllabus covers three major subjects, which are Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. These subjects require a good grasp of concepts and a great deal of practice. Practice and solve as many questions as possible, and you’ll have a strong hold on it. Here’s what you should do to maximize your efficiency in each section:
Physics Preparation Tips
- Aspirants should lay greater emphasis on numerical questions and keep practicing and revisiting all the important concepts regularly.
- Remember to skim over vital formulas and theorems, as questions are asked straightforwardly based on these.
- Chapters like Motion, Force, Work, etc., are very important, and it’s not advisable to take (take with a grain of salt idiom synonym) them for granted and skip to other chapters.
Chemistry Preparation Tips
- Learn and understand how to memorize nomenclature and major chemical reactions (especially those that show conversion from one compound to another).
- Note down the important terminologies and their functions as short notes, and go through them repeatedly to remember them well.
Biology Preparation Tips
- There are lots of biology-specific terms to learn and remember, so revision is important.
- Remember the function and importance of the important terms, because the questions in this part tend to test your memory and understanding as well.
In this way, splitting your preparation subject-wise, you can easily handle the Class 10 Science syllabus and obtain high marks in the exam.
Best reference books for CBSE 10th Science are:
- Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur: These books are great for learning the syllabus as they have simple language, clear concepts, and useful diagrams.
- Chand’s Science Books: They are famous for the detailed explanations and numerous solved examples that help in making your basics for the concepts strong.
- Arihant’s All in One – Science: A Superb guide with Practice Questions, sample papers, and solutions in accordance with the latest CBSE pattern.
CBSE 10th Maths Preparation 2025-26
Mathematics is a scoring subject, but it needs a good understanding. The more you practice, the better you will be able to recognise the kinds of questions being asked in the CBSE Class 10 board exam. Also, referring to the best reference books for Class 10 Mathematics will help you in your overall exam preparation.
Here are some quick tips to learn for the CBSE 10 Maths Exam:
- Jump into the NCERTs: go through all the examples and questions given in the NCERTs deeply.
- Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you’ll get at solving problems.
- Practice Past Year Question Papers: Practicing previous year question papers and sample papers is the best way to know the exam pattern.
- Create a Formula Notebook: Remember to keep a notebook for formulas, theorems, and important points for last-minute review, easy.
- Categorize Main Topics: Give priority to the topics like Geometry, Algebra, and Mensuration, as all these topics have maximum weightage.
- Time Management: Distribute your study time on the basis of chapter weightage.
- Understand the Syllabus: Understand the Class 10th Maths syllabus and then, organize your study timetable.
Best Reference Books for CBSE 10th Mathematics:
- R. D. Sharma: It is an excellent book for in-depth learning for Class 10 Mathematics.
- R. S. Aggarwal: This book is very good for enhancing your problem-solving skills.
- Arihant’s All-in-One Mathematics: It has the entire syllabus along with practice questions and explanations of solutions.
Check Out: Easy and Effective Study Time Table for CBSE Class 10th
Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 Social Science (2025-26)
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science syllabus comprises four main subjects, namely, History, Civics, Geography, and Economics, with each carrying the same weightage of 20 marks.
Here are some simple suggestions that can help:
- Rather than memorize long paragraphs, try to learn long answers by heart as elements or pointers. This makes it much simpler to write while in the exam.
- Create tables of important dates and rulers’ names. If you’re frequently going over these tables, then you will easily remember things.
- Practice the map work by marking out the places that you have been asked about earlier. This allows you to establish some confidence in map-based questions.
- Relate abstract ideas to real-world examples if you can. Associating subjects with normal events could make the subject matter easier and more interesting.
- When responding, it’s best to begin with short questions and then move on to longer ones for overall time management.
These tricks will help you to make CBSE Class 10 Social Science preparation easy and score more.
Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 10 English (2025-26)
- To be well prepared for the exam, focusing on Reading Skills and Writing Skills with Grammar is imperative, as these sections are high scoring (50 marks). Practice these areas often.
- Solving unseen passages on a regular basis is beneficial as they can be scored, and it doesn’t consume much time.
- You can also improve English by these methods – Read Science fiction, novels, newspapers, it will improve your vocabulary and also increase your comprehension.
- Remember also to write speeches, letters, and applications to familiarise yourself with their format and to stick to the word count.
- Get good grammar books and learn all the rules well, and learn to solve a lot of questions to clear both the English Term 2 and 1 syllabus.
- The section on literature deserves some special attention because it tests both content knowledge and critical analysis.
CBSE Class 10 Preparation Tips for Hindi
- The Hindi syllabus for class 10 is divided into grammar and literature, so there are two parts for which the preparation should be done..
- You can repeatedly write essays, letters, and descriptive questions to familiarise yourself with the correct format.
- Be sure to memorize the meaning of poems and the kinds of questions that are frequently asked about them.
- Practice Grammar daily and get all your doubts cleared about the grammatical rules.
- Solving previous years’ question papers and verifying your answers with solutions is always a good way to know where you stand.
FAQs on CBSE 10th Preparation Tips 2025-26
Q1: How can I score full marks in the CBSE 10th board exam?
If you want to score 100% marks in CBSE Class 10, then a clear concept of the topics, regular practice, and good time management are a few important tips.
Q2: What’s the best way to score above 80% in the CBSE 10th annual exams?
Get 80% or above by keeping a well-planned timetable, concentrating on NCERT books, solving sample papers, and revising on a regular basis with short notes. It’s also important to pay attention to important topics, and take a break during the exam to not getting stressed.
Q: Can I reappear for the CBSE 10th exam in 2026 after passing in 2025?
Yes, you may appear for the examination in the year 2026 in order to improve your marks in one or more subjects during the second term examination conducted in May, as an opportunity to improve.
Q: How can I control stress and build confidence during exams?
Continue to address stress with gentle exercise such as walking and yoga. Dine on brain-friendly fare, including fruits, nuts, and whole grains. And sleep 7 to 8 good hours to better focus and have energy.
Q: Are the CBSE 10th board exam questions similar to the sample papers?
Yes, the questions of the board exams are based on the pattern and level of difficulty followed in the sample papers, but they will not be the exact same questions.
Q: How many past question papers should I practice for CBSE 10th Maths?
The best preparation for the exam is solving at least 10-12 previous years’ Maths papers.
Q: What is the passing mark for CBSE 10th exams in 2025?
You should score a minimum of 33% marks in each subject, which comprises theory and practical, to pass the CBSE Class 10 exams.
Q: What is the best method to prepare for the CBSE Class 10 board exam?
The best way to score good marks in the CBSE 10th board examination is to develop a clear understanding of the concepts, to begin with. Read NCERT textbooks thoroughly. Make small notes for revision and write in clear. Solve sample papers and question papers from previous years to acquaint yourself with the exam pattern and the type of questions.
Q: How can I prepare effectively for the CBSE Class 10 board exam?
For proper preparation, one should have complete knowledge of the syllabus, have a good study plan, study while you do not feel sleepy, practice on a regular basis, and maintain a good daily routine to focus better and stay healthy.
Q: What are the subject-wise preparation tips for CBSE Class 10?
- Mathematics: Learn the basic concepts, solve the set of variety of questions, and solve previous year papers to increase your speed and accuracy.
- Science: Concentrate on concepts, practice diagrams, and regularly solve previous years’ papers.
- Social Science: Revise NCERT books properly, make short notes, and solve previous year board papers.
- Languages: Read novels, newspapers, practice writing letters and essays, and work on grammar and vocabulary a lot.
Q: Is passing the CBSE Class 10 board exam really that difficult?
Not at all! One can easily pass the CBSE 10th board exams. Through the constant effort, the smart study methods, and the right amount of revision, the amount of effort the students have to put in to pass the exam is not that high.
Q: What are some useful tips to prepare for CBSE 10th exams at the last moment?
To prepare at the last moment for Class 10 CBSE exams, revise all the important topics, solve CBSE sample papers, and practice time management during the exam.
Q: Is it possible to prepare for CBSE Class 10 exams in just 10 days?
Yes, you can prepare for CBSE 10th exams in 10 days; you just need to follow the study plan and stay disciplined throughout this period. It’s hard, but doable with a plan and hard work.
Q: If I begin studying now, can I complete the CBSE Class 10 exam 2026 preparation?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to prepare for your CBSE 10th board exam 2026 now, and it is also a wise decision considering the fact that the board exam is going to be conducted twice in the year. If you study and plan regularly, you will be able to complete the syllabus easily.
Q: How can I get good marks in CBSE Class 10?
To perform well in the CBSE 10th examinations, have a thorough knowledge of all concepts. Focus on NCERT books, revise regularly, prepare short notes, and practice mock tests as well as sample papers. And have a balanced schedule, and control stress well.
Q: Why should I practice CBSE Class 10 sample papers for 2026?
Solving previous years’ question papers of CBSE class 10 is a good way to revise. These papers are updated according to the latest syllabus and follow the dynamics of the exam, providing you with an insight into the marking scheme and the types of questions appearing in the exams. They also make you faster and more accurate.
