Official source: CBSE publishes its question papers and marking schemes on the CBSE Academic website. We link to CBSE rather than copying papers, so you always get the genuine, current files. Last updated: 18 October 2026.
Previous year question papers class 10 students can trust come from CBSE, and they are the closest thing to a rehearsal for the board exam. CBSE previous year question papers class 10 show how questions are worded and where the marks sit. Used well, they show how questions are worded, where the marks sit and how long each answer should be. This page explains where to find the official papers and how to get the most out of them.
Where to find previous year question papers class 10 students need
- Open cbseacademic.nic.in and look for the question paper and sample paper sections for Class X.
- Choose the year and the subject, and download the question paper with its marking scheme.
- For the current session, the Class X sample question papers and marking schemes are at the official 2026-27 page.
Avoid sites that ask for payment or a login to download a CBSE paper. The official papers are free.
A seven-step method for using a past paper
- Choose a subject and a year, and keep the marking scheme closed.
- Sit the paper like the real exam: the full time, no notes, no phone.
- Write each answer to the length the marks suggest.
- Mark your paper using the official marking scheme, strictly.
- List every lost mark in an error log with the reason: knowledge, method, reading or time.
- Revise the chapters behind your three biggest error types.
- Return to the same paper a week later and re-attempt only the questions you lost marks on.
What to look for across several papers
- How the paper is built: question types, marks per question and the choices offered.
- Which chapters appear in more than one form, such as a short question one year and a case study another year.
- How the marking scheme rewards steps, especially in Maths and Science.
- The wording of questions, so unfamiliar phrasing does not slow you down on the day.
Pair this with the official sample papers and your subject guide: Maths, Science, Social Science, English and Hindi.
Frequently asked questions
Are past papers enough for preparation?
They are an excellent test, but not a teacher. Use them after you have studied a chapter, to find what you still do not know.
How many papers should I attempt?
A steady rhythm works better than a rush: one timed paper a week in the last two months is a sensible target.
Should I attempt papers from old years?
Yes, but check that the question paper design matches the current year. CBSE has stated there is no change in the design for 2026-27.
Whether you search for a 10th cbse previous year question paper or any 10th class cbse question paper, use the official CBSE file. Official papers come with a marking scheme, which is the nearest thing to class 10 question papers with solutions.
Independent resource, not affiliated with CBSE or NCERT.