Explore marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 including Maths, Science, SST and English
The CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 will be held from February 15 to March 18, 2026. As the exam dates come closer, it’s completely normal to feel a little pressure. One simple way to feel more confident is by understanding the paper pattern clearly.
The paper pattern tells you what the exam will actually look like. It shows how many questions you’ll get, what types of questions to expect, how marks are divided, and which topics carry more weight. When you know this beforehand, the exam doesn’t feel surprising or overwhelming.
Instead of studying everything randomly, you can prepare with a clear plan. You’ll know where to spend more time, how to structure your answers, and how to manage time during the exam. A clear understanding of the paper pattern helps you stay calm, study smarter, and walk into the exam hall feeling prepared and confident.
CBSE 10th Exam Pattern 2025-26: Key Highlights
Understanding the CBSE marking scheme 2025 Class 10 becomes easier when you first know the exam pattern. The 2025-26 board exam follows a single annual examination format with a structured evaluation system designed to test conceptual clarity, application skills, and analytical ability.
1. Exam Structure and Paper Format
The CBSE Class 10 question paper is divided into multiple sections. It includes:
Objective-type questions (MCQs and assertion-reason)
Short answer questions
Long answer questions
Case-based or competency-based questions
This balanced format ensures students are tested on knowledge, understanding, and real-life application rather than rote learning.
2. Marking Scheme and Topic-Wise Weightage
The marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 assigns clear weightage to each unit and chapter. This helps students prioritize high-scoring areas.
For example:
Mathematics focuses heavily on Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.
Science gives significant weightage to Chemical Substances, Life Processes, Light, and Electricity.
Social Science distributes marks across History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
Understanding chapter-wise weightage allows students to plan preparation strategically.
3. Internal Assessment Structure
Each subject carries:
80 marks for theory examination
20 marks for internal assessment
Internal assessment includes periodic tests, notebook submissions, project work, and subject enrichment activities. These marks contribute significantly to the final result.
Question Typology Distribution (2025-26)
This updated distribution highlights the increasing focus on competency-based learning in the CBSE Class 10 marking scheme.
Marking Scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26: Mathematics
The marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Maths is designed to assess conceptual clarity, step-wise problem solving, and application-based understanding. The Mathematics theory paper carries 80 marks, while 20 marks are allotted for internal assessment, making a total of 100 marks.
The paper is divided into five sections to ensure balanced evaluation across objective and descriptive formats.
Chapter-wise Weightage for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26: Mathematics
Marking Scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Science Examination
The CBSE Class 10 Science paper carries 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment, making a total of 100 marks.
The exam evaluates conceptual understanding, practical application, diagram-based clarity, and analytical skills.
Key Points for Science Marking Scheme 2025-26
Theory exam carries 80 marks
Internal assessment carries 20 marks
Duration is 3 hours
Questions include objective, assertion-reason, short and long answers
Case-study questions test real-life application
Diagrams must be neat and properly labelled
Units are compulsory in numerical answers
Chapter-wise Marks Weightage for CBSE Class 10 Science 2025-26
High-Weightage Areas in Science
Students should prioritise:
Carbon and its Compounds
Chemical Reactions and Equations
Life Processes
Control and Coordination
Electricity
Light - Reflection and Refraction
These chapters carry major weightage under the marking scheme of Science Class 10.
CBSE Marking Scheme for Class 10 English 2025-26
The English paper is conducted for 80 marks (theory) and 20 marks (internal assessment).
The question paper is divided into three major parts:
Reading
Writing & Grammar
Literature
CBSE Class 10 English Chapter-wise Marks Distribution
Important Points for CBSE Class 10 English Marking Scheme 2025-26
Reading section tests comprehension and interpretation
Writing section requires proper format and word limit adherence
Literature answers must include textual references
Creativity and clarity are rewarded in long answers
Time management is crucial across sections
Marking Scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Social Science (SST)
The CBSE Class 10 Social Science examination is conducted for 80 marks (theory) and 20 marks (internal assessment), making a total of 100 marks.
The paper evaluates factual knowledge, conceptual clarity, analytical skills, and map-based understanding across History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics.
Key Points for SST Marking Scheme 2025-26
Theory paper carries 80 marks
Internal assessment carries 20 marks
Duration is 3 hours
Includes objective, short, long, case-study, and map-based questions
Map questions test Geography and History location skills
Long answers require structured, point-wise writing
Case-study questions test application and analytical thinking
Chapter-wise Marks Weightage for CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2025-26
High-Scoring Strategy for Social Science
Students should:
Focus on important themes in History such as Nationalism in India and Globalisation
Practise map work regularly
Prepare 4–5 key points for 5-mark questions
Use headings and sub-points in long answers
Revise definitions for 1-mark MCQs
Proper understanding of the marking scheme of SST Class 10 2025-26 helps students allocate time wisely and focus equally on all four units.
Marking Scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Hindi (Course A & Course B)
CBSE offers two Hindi language options in Class 10:
Hindi Course A: Focused more on literature (Prose & Poetry)
Hindi Course B: Focused on language skills and communication
The theory paper is conducted for 80 marks, and Internal Assessment carries 20 marks, making a total of 100 marks.
CBSE Class 10 Hindi (Course A) Marking Scheme 2025-26
Hindi Course A: Question Pattern Overview
Reading section tests comprehension and interpretation
Grammar includes MCQ-based questions
Literature includes extract-based and short answer questions
Creative writing includes paragraph writing, letter writing, or other structured formats
Internal choices are provided in most sections
Chapter-wise Focus Areas: Hindi Course A
CBSE Class 10 Hindi (Course B) Marking Scheme 2025-26
Hindi Course B focuses more on functional Hindi and communication skills.
Hindi Course B: Question Pattern Highlights
Emphasis on grammar and usage
Literature questions test understanding of prescribed texts
Writing section evaluates formal and informal writing
Internal choices available in multiple questions
CBSE Class 10 Hindi Syllabus 2025-26: Question Distribution
Important Points to Remember for Hindi Marking Scheme 2025-26
Theory paper carries 80 marks
Internal assessment carries 20 marks
Duration is 3 hours
Includes objective, short, and descriptive questions
Literature answers must be written in clear points
Grammar requires accuracy and practice
Understanding the marking scheme for class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Hindi helps students balance preparation between reading, grammar, literature, and writing skills.
Marking Scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26: Computer Applications
Computer Applications in Class 10 is divided into Theory (50 marks) and Practical (50 marks), making a total of 100 marks. The theory paper duration is 2 hours.
Chapter-wise Weightage: Computer Applications 2025-26
Key Points for Computer Applications
Equal weightage for theory and practical
HTML carries highest weightage
Networking concepts are important for short-answer questions
Practical file and lab performance directly impact final score
Conclusion
Understanding the CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2025–26 helps you prepare in a smarter and more organised way for the board exam. When you know how marks are distributed, which chapters carry more weightage, and how different types of questions are evaluated, you can focus your efforts in the right direction.
It also helps you improve answer presentation, manage time better, and make the most of internal assessment marks. Instead of studying without a plan, you can prepare with clarity and confidence, giving yourself a stronger chance of scoring high in the Class 10 board exam.
FAQs on CBSE Class 10 Marking Scheme 2025-26 Subject-Wise & Chapter-Wise Weightage
1. Has CBSE changed the Class 10 marking scheme for 2025-26?
Yes. The CBSE Class 10 marking scheme 2025-26 continues to emphasise competency-based questions, which now carry 40% weightage. The paper includes objective, short-answer, long-answer, and case-based questions, along with 20 marks for internal assessment.
2. How many marks are allotted for theory and internal assessment in Class 10 CBSE 2025-26?
Most Class 10 subjects follow an 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal assessment pattern. Subjects like Computer Applications may have a 50 theory and 50 practical structure.
3. What type of questions are asked under the CBSE Class 10 marking scheme 2025-26?
The marking scheme includes MCQs, assertion-reason questions, short-answer questions, long-answer questions, and case-study-based questions. Around 40% of the paper is competency-based.
4. Which chapters carry the highest weightage in Class 10 Maths 2025-26?
Under the marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Maths, Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry carry the highest weightage. These units should be prioritised during revision.
5. How is the Science Class 10 marking scheme structured for 2025-26?
The marking scheme of Science Class 10 includes 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal assessment. Units like Chemical Substances and World of Living carry higher weightage compared to Natural Resources.
6. What is the latest English marking scheme Class 10 2025-26?
The English marking scheme Class 10 2025-26 divides the paper into Reading (20 marks), Writing & Grammar (30 marks), and Literature (30 marks). Internal assessment carries 20 marks separately.
7. Does Social Science have equal weightage for all sections in Class 10?
Yes. As per the SST marking scheme Class 10 2025-26, History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics generally carry equal marks distribution in theory.
8. How does the chapter-wise marking scheme help in Class 10 preparation?
The marking scheme for Class 10 chapter wise shows which topics carry more marks. This helps students allocate time efficiently and focus on high-scoring chapters first.
9. Are case-study questions compulsory in CBSE Class 10 2025-26?
Yes. Case-study or competency-based questions are included in most subjects and form a significant portion of the marking scheme Class 10.
10. Is following the CBSE Class 10 marking scheme enough to score 90+?
Understanding the marking scheme of CBSE Class 10 helps in strategic preparation. However, consistent practice, solving sample papers, and revising high-weightage chapters are equally important to score above 90%.
11. What is the English marking scheme Class 10 2025-26?
The English marking scheme Class 10 2025-26 includes Reading (20 marks), Writing and Grammar (30 marks), and Literature (30 marks), totaling 80 marks for theory. Internal assessment carries 20 marks. The paper evaluates comprehension, writing skills, grammar accuracy, and literary understanding.
12. What is the marking scheme of Science Class 10?
The marking scheme of Science Class 10 consists of 80 marks theory and 20 marks internal assessment. The paper includes MCQs, assertion-reason, short answers, long answers, and case-study questions. Units like Chemical Substances and World of Living carry major weightage.
13. What is the SST marking scheme Class 10 2025-26?
The SST marking scheme Class 10 2025-26 includes 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment. The paper covers History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics with balanced weightage. It includes MCQs, short answers, long answers, case-based, and map-based questions.
14. What is the marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Maths?
The marking scheme for Class 10 CBSE 2025-26 Maths includes MCQs, assertion-based questions, very short answer, short answer, long answer, and case-study questions. Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry carry higher marks. The theory paper is for 80 marks with 20 marks internal assessment.
