Image Source: The Daily Jagran
Key Highlights
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially published the Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and detailed Marking Schemes (MS) for Classes 10 and 12 for the 2025–26 academic session.
These resources are available for immediate download at cbseacademic.nic.in, providing all students, parents, and teachers with authentic exam blueprints for the 2026 Board Exams.
The release confirms there are no changes in the assessment or exam pattern from the previous academic year, ensuring continuity and minimizing uncertainty for the crucial exam season ahead.
SQPs and MS are now available in both English and Hindi for select subjects, supporting greater accessibility for students in different regions and school systems.
The CBSE emphasizes that these documents aren’t just for final exam practice; they are designed to be integrated into regular classroom teaching, encouraging conceptual clarity and the real-life application of knowledge.
CBSE Sample Papers: What’s New and Why They Matter
The 2026 sample papers and marking schemes span all core and elective subjects, including English, Hindi, Science, Mathematics (Basic and Standard), Social Science, Computer Applications, Home Science, Accountancy, Business Studies, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and many more.
For the first time, the SQPs include enhanced guidance for competency-based questions—multiple-choice, case-based, and source-based questions—directly in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasis on skills and application over rote learning.
Each sample paper is accompanied by a precise marking scheme detailing stepwise mark allocation, essential pointers about expected answer structure, and suggested content coverage for every question.
Hindi-medium sample papers for key subjects like Science and Mathematics help bridge resource gaps and empower a broader swathe of board aspirants.
Breakdown of the 2026 CBSE Assessment Pattern
The exam pattern remains unchanged from last year’s session, bringing comfort and consistency for students who have adapted to its demands.
For Class 10 and 12, sample papers incorporate 50% competency-based questions testing understanding, judgment, and application.
Around 20% of questions are MCQs; the remainder comprise short and long-answer constructs intended to assess depth of comprehension and analytical writing.
The theory exams remain three hours in duration, and passing criteria are set at a minimum 33% in both individual subjects and overall aggregate.
Internal assessments and project-based evaluations remain key components, accounting for up to 20 marks in several subjects.
How to Access and Use the CBSE 2026 Sample Papers
Students and educators should go to the CBSE Academic website (cbseacademic.nic.in).
From the homepage, click on the 2026 Sample Papers notice, choose the appropriate class (10 or 12), then select the required subject from the displayed list.
Both Sample Question Papers and their corresponding Marking Schemes are available in downloadable PDF format for direct practice and review.
Teachers are encouraged to model classroom lessons on these papers, while students can use them for self-assessment, identifying strong areas and topics needing reinforcement.
Practicing with these resources is particularly beneficial for those preparing for upcoming half-yearly, pre-board, and final exams.
Expert and Official Commentary
CBSE officials emphasize that the SQPs are not only preparatory tools but also templates to align classroom teaching with board requirements, ensuring that every student has a fair and predictable testing experience.
Leading educators have praised the detailed marking schemes, highlighting their clarity and practical value in classroom and at-home revision.
The stability in the exam pattern allows students clarity in planning their board year alongside competitive exam preparations.
Conclusion
The CBSE’s release of the 2026 Sample Question Papers and Marking Schemes is a major milestone for the current academic session, equipping millions of Indian students with the clarity and resources needed for confident board exam preparation. The initiative supports an equitable, application-based, and transparent assessment ecosystem, reinforcing CBSE’s commitment to quality education and exam integrity as students work toward their academic goals.
Sources: Times of India, Hindustan Times
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