Sample paper

CBSE calls it a sample question paper, or SQP. It puts one out for each subject every year, free, with its marking scheme. CBSE's curriculum says they are released "to support transparency and effective preparation".

What does a sample paper tell you?

It shows the shape of the board paper: the sections, the kinds of question and the marks for each. The 2026-27 Maths Standard sample paper has 38 questions in five sections, A to E. It carries 80 marks and runs for 3 hours. A note on each page says there is no change in the paper design for 2026-27.

It shows the pattern, not your exam's questions. Treat it as a full practice paper, sat in 3 hours.

Why the marking scheme matters more

The marking scheme shows where each mark sits. Question 24 of the Maths sample is worth 2 marks. The scheme gives half a mark for the radius and 1 mark for the formula with the numbers in. The answer earns the last half mark. Check a practice answer against that split, not only the final answer. What a CBSE marking scheme contains shows how to read one.

You can download the Class 10 sample papers and marking schemes for 2026-27 from CBSE's academic website. ICSE's version is the specimen paper.

About the author

Mohit Sardana

Chief Architect

An engineer (B.Tech, Computer Science) with over 20 years of preparing students for entrance exams, including as Dean at FIITJEE and Vice-President at Aakash. He is the chief architect of the TRUpreBoards evaluation engine.

Mohit Sardana on LinkedIn