CBSE Class 10 Maths Sample Paper 2025-26

Imagine sitting at your study table, pencil ready, the clock ticking, and the first question of your mock paper looking like a small mountain. That was Riya two months before her board exams. She felt nervous, then she tried one exam sheet from start to finish. After one paper she felt better. After five, she could see where she lost time, which topics kept tripping her up, and how to change the way she wrote answers. That is the quiet power of a good sample paper.

In this post you will get a clear, easy plan to make the most of your cbse class 10 maths sample paper 2025-26. I will walk you through why the paper matters, how to use it in a week-by-week plan, common mistakes to avoid, and simple tips to boost speed and accuracy. This is written like a conversation with a study friend, not a list of rules. By the end you will have a practical routine to turn practice into confidence.

Why the cbse class 10 maths sample paper 2025-26 matters

A sample paper is more than just practice questions. It teaches you exam rhythm, shows how marks are distributed, and helps you practise the way the board expects answers. When you attempt a class 10 maths sample paper, you learn to read questions correctly, manage time, and present answers neatly. The cbse sample paper also reveals the style of problems that repeat across years. If you treat each sample paper like a mini-exam and review it honestly, your results will improve faster than from random practice.

How to use a class 10 maths sample paper

Here is a practical plan you can follow for four weeks. Adjust the timing to fit your school timetable.

Week 1 — Familiarisation

• Pick one full-length class 10 maths sample paper and solve it without any time pressure. Read every question carefully. Mark which topics you find easy, which take longer, and which ones you skip. This first pass is diagnostic.

• After finishing, check answers. For every mistake write one sentence explaining why it happened. Example: "I forgot the difference of squares formula" or "I made a sign error while integrating."

Week 2 — Targeted practice

• Make a list of the top three weak topics from Week 1. For each topic do focused practice: one short concept review and then three problems.

• Now take another full class 10 maths sample paper under exam time. Try to finish within the actual time limit. Use rough paper for calculations and a fresh sheet for final answers to mimic the real exam.

Week 3 — Strategy and speed

• Work on questions that take the most time. For example, if geometry problems slow you down, practice drawing diagrams and writing steps in fewer lines.

• Use past year mark schemes and one or two cbse sample paper answer keys to compare presentation style. Try to write each answer in a way that earns full marks even if you make a small mistake.

Week 4 — Mock exam routine

• Take two full sample papers this week under timed conditions, one at the start of the week and one near the end. Treat them like real exams: no phones, no notes, and a quiet room.

• After each mock, spend time reviewing and rewriting solutions for the problems you got wrong. That revision is where learning sticks.

Actionable tips for better practice

1. Read the paper once before you start
   Scan all questions for two minutes. Circle the ones you will solve first. Start with questions you are confident about. This builds momentum and ensures you secure easy marks.

2. Keep track of time by question
   If the paper has 40 marks in section A and 60 in section B, allocate time accordingly. Practice finishing section A in the time you set. Over time you will learn how long certain types of problems take.

3. Show method, not just answer
   CBSE awards marks for method. Even if you make a calculation mistake, clear steps can still earn partial credit. Write neat steps and label diagrams.

4. Learn one common trick each week
   For example, practice completing the square, using identities, or checking by substitution. Add these tricks to a small notebook you revise weekly.

5. Simulate exam pressure occasionally
   Practice papers under timed, silent conditions. It is the most reliable way to reduce exam anxiety.

6. Review with a friend or teacher
   Explain your solutions to someone else. Teaching a solution helps you spot gaps in logic and often reveals easier methods.

Common traps students fall into

Trap 1: Starting with the hardest question
If you get stuck on one long question, you waste time you could use for multiple smaller ones. Start with your strengths.

Trap 2: Skipping rough work
Clear rough work saves time during review and helps you track errors quickly.

Trap 3: Not following the marking pattern
Some questions have internal steps worth marks. If you write only the final answer, you miss those steps.

Trap 4: Practising without reflecting
Doing many paper after paper without reviewing mistakes turns practice into repetition. Make a short error log and revisit it.

How to review a cbse sample paper effectively

Use this three-step review method after every paper.

Step 1: Correct and mark
Mark each answer and write the correct answer on the side. Note the marks you could have scored realistically.

Step 2: Understand the error
For each wrong or partially correct question, write the cause: concept, careless error, time pressure, or misreading.

Step 3: Quick fix practice
Do two similar problems to fix the specific mistake. If the error was due to a formula you forgot, copy the formula a few times and practise one problem with it.

Small changes that make a big difference

• Keep a "5-minute checklist" for exam day: sharp pencils, eraser, ruler, wristwatch, and a small bottle of water. This reduces last-minute panic.

• Work on handwriting and presentation. If your steps are clear, examiners can award marks even for imperfect answers.

• Use the sample paper to test different strategies. For instance, some students solve long algebra questions first then geometry. Try both and see which reduces your mistakes.

A note on marks and motivation

Practice papers are a tool, not a judge. Your mock scores reflect where you need work, not your final ability. Focus on steady improvement. Celebrate small wins like shaving five minutes off your time or solving a topic you used to avoid. Those wins add up.

Quick checklist before you start any sample paper

• Read instructions carefully.

• Allocate time for each section.

• Keep a rough sheet handy.

• Start with confidence and end with a short review of answers you were unsure about.

Final story and takeaway

Remember Riya from the start? On exam day she felt calm because she had used a mix of focused practice, timed mocks, and careful review. She had worked through several cbse class 10 maths sample paper 2025-26 sheets, noted her errors, and turned them into small habits. The day after her exam she said the test felt familiar, not surprising. That is the real benefit of good sample paper practice.

Download a cbse class 10 maths sample paper 2025-26, set a timer, and try one full paper this weekend. Then use the review steps here and repeat. You will be surprised how much steadier and clearer your math work becomes. Good luck, and practice smart.