CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 and their official marking schemes are available through CBSE Academic for Classes 10 and 12. Download the paper and marking scheme for the same class, session and subject before beginning a timed attempt.
CBSE’s 21 September notification says the question-paper design and assessment pattern remain unchanged for the academic session. The sample papers are learning and assessment guides; they are not a subject-wise examination timetable.
CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27: official download routes
| Resource | Where to start | Check before using |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 SQP and MS | CBSE Academic Class X page | Subject and Basic/Standard variant where applicable |
| Class 12 SQP and MS | CBSE Academic Class XII page | Subject title, code and session |
| Skill subjects | The separate skill-subject link on the relevant page | Correct subject and current material |
Use the official Class 10 index or Class 12 index. Each lists Sample Question Paper and Marking Scheme links, commonly labelled SQP and MS.
Match the header before you start
For Class 10, the index distinguishes Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard, as well as different language subjects. A file with a familiar subject name can still be the wrong paper for the course you are taking.
For example, the official Mathematics Standard sample is labelled code 041, with 80 marks and three hours. Use the header and instructions of your own subject; those figures should not be copied as a universal rule for every CBSE paper.
Save a pair of files with names that show the session, class and subject. Keep the question paper and marking scheme together, while putting an older session in a separate folder so it is not opened accidentally during revision.
Attempt first, then use the marking scheme
Set up a realistic practice session using the time and instructions on the selected paper. Keep a note of interruptions or unfinished sections, since a score without those conditions can give a misleading picture of what needs work.
After the attempt, compare your answer with the corresponding marking scheme rather than checking only the final result. Separate a missing method, an arithmetic error, an incomplete explanation and a question you did not reach.
For an original illustration, consider solving x² − 5x + 6 = 0. Writing only the roots 2 and 3 shows the result, while writing (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0 also shows how you reached it; the actual marks for any examination answer must follow its applicable scheme.
Do not assign invented official marks to this illustration. Its purpose is to show why reviewing the reasoning can be more informative than simply matching an answer at the end of a solution.
Turn the attempt into a small revision plan
Choose the three most useful errors to work on before opening another full paper. For each, write the question reference, the cause you think explains it and one action that would address that cause.
A forgotten formula needs a different practice task from a misunderstood question. An unfinished answer may require a clearer response structure, while running out of time calls for checking where the time went.
Then attempt a fresh question testing the same idea without looking at the worked answer. Record whether you can explain the steps independently; remembering the appearance of a previous solution is not the same as being able to produce it.
Our worked revision process explains how to combine practice questions with spaced review. Use it to decide the next study session rather than collecting more PDFs without reviewing the first attempt.
Questions students should resolve before downloading
Is a sample paper a prediction of the final questions?
Treat it as the board’s example of paper design and assessment, not a promise that the final questions will be repeated. Use the current syllabus and teacher guidance alongside the sample rather than reducing preparation to one downloaded paper.
What if the marking-scheme link opens a different file?
Check the PDF header, filename and subject code before using it to assess your answer. If the pair does not match, return to the official index and ask your school to clarify the correct material instead of forcing a score from an unrelated scheme.
Keep the next practice session focused
Finish with one specific objective, such as explaining a method clearly or completing a selected section within its planned time. A short record of what changed between attempts is more useful than a folder full of unreviewed scores.
Official materials checked on 29 October 2026. The featured image is an AI-generated editorial illustration; it does not reproduce an official paper or leaked examination material.
