CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27: Class 10 & 12 Subject Wise

Every year, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) releases official Sample Question Papers (SQPs) to give board students a clear preview of the upcoming exam. These papers show the exact question format, difficulty level, and marking scheme that will appear in the actual Class 10 and Class 12 board exams.

This article covers everything you need to know about the CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27, including the expected release date, subject-wise download process, exam pattern, and how to use these papers effectively for board exam preparation.

What Are CBSE Sample Papers?

A Sample Question Paper (SQP) is an official model paper designed by CBSE for each subject. Along with the question paper, CBSE also releases a marking scheme, which shows examiners' expected answers and how marks are awarded, including step-wise marking for subjects like Maths and Science.

Sample papers are different from previous years' question papers because they reflect any changes made to the exam pattern for the current academic session, such as a shift in the number of competency-based questions or internal choices.

When Will CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 Be Released?

As of September 2026, CBSE has not yet uploaded the official 2026-27 sample papers on its academic portal. Based on CBSE's usual practice and recent reports, here is what students can expect:

Detail	Information
Expected release window	Mid-September to October 2026
Official portal	cbseacademic.nic.in
Applicable classes	Class 10 and Class 12
Session	2026-27 (for 2027 board exams)
Format	Free PDF (question paper + marking scheme)

Until the new papers are uploaded, students can continue practising with the CBSE 2025-26 sample papers and previous years' archives, which are still available on the official site and follow a similar pattern.

Important Update: Class 10 Two-Exam System Continues in 2026-27

CBSE introduced a two-phase board exam system for Class 10 starting with the 2025-26 session, and this structure continues for 2026-27. Here's what it means for students:

• Phase 1 (Main Exam): Conducted in February–March, covering the full syllabus.
• Phase 2 (Improvement Exam): An optional exam held in May, open only to students who appeared in Phase 1.
• Students can attempt Phase 2 in up to three subjects to improve their score.
• CBSE considers the better of the two scores (Phase 1 or Phase 2) for the final marksheet.
• Class 12 continues to have a single annual board exam, as before.

Because of this change, CBSE has also introduced two sets of sample papers for Class 10 in some subjects, so students should check for both sets once released.

How to Download CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 (Step-by-Step)

1. Visit the official CBSE Academic website: cbseacademic.nic.in
2. Click on the "Curriculum" or "Sample Question Papers" section on the homepage.
3. Select Class X or Class XII based on your requirement.
4. Choose the subject you want (Maths, Science, English, Social Science, Accountancy, etc.).
5. Click on the PDF link to download the sample question paper and its marking scheme separately.
6. Save both files for offline practice.

Alternatively, the CBSE main website, cbse.gov.in, also has a link to the Sample Paper section under the "Examination" tab.

CBSE Class 10 Sample Papers 2026-27: Subject-Wise List

Subject	Total Marks	Practical/Internal Assessment
Mathematics (Standard/Basic)	80	20
Science	80	20
Social Science	80	20
English (Language & Literature)	80	20
Hindi (Course A/B)	80	20
Computer Applications	50	50

CBSE Class 12 Sample Papers 2026-27: Subject-Wise List

Subject	Theory Marks	Practical Marks
Physics	70	30
Chemistry	70	30
Biology	70	30
Mathematics	80	20 (internal)
Accountancy	80	20 (project)
Business Studies	80	20 (project)
Economics	80	20 (project)
English Core	80	20 (internal)

Marks distribution may see minor changes once the official 2026-27 syllabus and SQPs are released, so always cross-check with the latest CBSE circular.

CBSE Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2026-27

Based on recent CBSE trends, here are the key pattern features students should expect in the 2026-27 sample papers:

• Increased competency-based questions, including case studies, source-based questions, and application-based problems.
• MCQs and objective-type questions typically form 20–30% of the total marks in most subjects.
• Internal choices are provided in most sections, so students don't need to attempt every single question.
• Step-wise marking in Maths and Science means partial marks are awarded for correct method or steps, even if the final answer is wrong.
• A reduced focus on direct recall-based questions, with more emphasis on real-life application of concepts.

Typical Section-Wise Breakup (Example: Class 10 Science, 80 Marks)

Section	Question Type	Marks Each
A	MCQs	1
B	Short Answer	2
C	Short Answer	3
D	Long Answer	5
E	Case-Based/Source-Based	4

(Exact section breakup may vary slightly by subject and will be confirmed once the official 2026-27 SQP is released.)

Preparation Tips Using Sample Papers

• Attempt sample papers under exam-like conditions — set a timer and avoid distractions to build stamina for the actual exam.
• Compare your answers with the official marking scheme to understand how examiners award marks, especially for long-answer questions.
• Focus on case-based and competency questions, since these carry a growing share of marks each year.
• Don't skip MCQs during practice — small conceptual errors here are common and easy to fix with repetition.
• Maintain a mistake log after every sample paper attempt, and revisit those topics before the next practice session.
• Solve at least 2–3 years of past sample papers, not just the newest one, to notice recurring question patterns.
• Balance sample papers with NCERT textbook revision — sample papers test application, but the base concepts still come from NCERT.

Common Student Questions

Is the CBSE sample paper the same as the actual board exam paper?

No. The sample paper only shows the expected pattern, question types, and marking scheme. The actual board exam paper will have different questions but a similar structure.

Can Class 9 and 11 students also use these sample papers?

CBSE officially releases sample papers only for Class 10 and Class 12, since these are board exam years. However, many schools use similar formats for internal exams in Classes 9 and 11.

Should I solve sample papers before finishing the full syllabus?

It's better to attempt sample papers chapter-wise or unit-wise as you complete topics, and then attempt a full paper once your syllabus is mostly complete.

Are the marking schemes different for Phase 1 and Phase 2 (Class 10)?

The exam pattern and marking scheme generally remain the same for both phases, since Phase 2 is meant to give students another attempt at the same standard, not a different or easier exam.