CBSE Class 10 2026-27 Exam Pattern Overview

CBSE Class 10 2026-27: Subject-Wise Exam Pattern

1. Mathematics (Standard & Basic) – Exam Pattern

Mathematics Question Paper Breakdown:

• Section A: 20 MCQs (1 mark each) = 20 marks
• Section B: 5 Short Answer Type I (2 marks each) = 10 marks
• Section C: 6 Short Answer Type II (3 marks each) = 18 marks
• Section D: 4 Long Answer Type (5 marks each) = 20 marks
• Section E: 3 Case-Based Questions (4 marks each) = 12 marks
• Total Theory: 80 marks

2. Science – Exam Pattern

Science Question Paper Breakdown:

• Section A: 20 MCQs (1 mark each) = 20 marks
• Section B: 6 Very Short Answer (2 marks each) = 12 marks
• Section C: 7 Short Answer (3 marks each) = 21 marks
• Section D: 3 Long Answer (5 marks each) = 15 marks
• Section E: 3 Case-Based Questions (4 marks each) = 12 marks
• Total Theory: 80 marks

3. Social Science – Exam Pattern

4. English – Exam Pattern

CBSE Class 10 2026-27: Internal Assessment (20 Marks)

The 20 marks of internal assessment for each subject are distributed as follows:

CBSE Class 10 2026-27: Subject-Wise Marking Scheme Summary

CBSE Class 10 2026-27: Exam Pattern Highlights

• Competency-Based Questions: 50% of the paper contains MCQs, case-based, and assertion-reasoning questions.
• Constructed Response Questions: 20% short answer type (2-3 marks)
• Long Answer Questions: 30% descriptive type (5 marks)
• No Overall Choice: Internal choices are provided in some questions.
• Practical Exam: For Science, practical exam is conducted by the school for 20 marks.

CBSE Class 10 2026-27: Preparation Strategy Based on Exam Pattern

• For MCQs (20 marks): Focus on NCERT concepts, practice assertion-reasoning and case-based questions.
• For Short Answer Questions (30 marks): Write crisp, point-wise answers. Practice definitions, differentiate between concepts, and short explanations.
• For Long Answer Questions (30 marks): Practice writing detailed answers with diagrams (for Science), timelines (for History), and flowcharts.
• For Internal Assessment (20 marks): Actively participate in class activities, maintain a neat portfolio, and complete projects on time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern 2026-27

• Q: Is there any change in CBSE Class 10 exam pattern for 2026-27?
  A: CBSE follows the pattern introduced in 2023-24 with 50% competency-based questions. No major changes are expected for 2026-27. Always check the official CBSE website for the latest updates.
• Q: Is there negative marking in CBSE Class 10 board exams?
  A: No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in CBSE Class 10 board exams.
• Q: What is the difference between Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic?
  A: Mathematics Standard has a tougher level and is for students who want to take Maths in Class 11. Mathematics Basic is easier and for students not opting for Maths in higher classes.
• Q: How is the 20-mark internal assessment calculated?
  A: Internal assessment includes Periodic Tests (5 marks), Multiple Assessments (5 marks), Portfolio (5 marks), and Subject Enrichment Activities (5 marks).
• Q: Can I use a calculator in CBSE Class 10 board exams?
  A: No, calculators are not allowed in CBSE Class 10 board exams.

Important Notes and Disclaimers

• This page is updated for CBSE Class 10 – Academic Year 2026-27 | CBSE 2027 Board Examinations based on the official curriculum prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
• The exam pattern may be revised by CBSE. Students are advised to check the official CBSE website for the latest updates.
• For the latest updates, circulars, and sample papers, students must regularly visit the official CBSE website (https://www.cbse.gov.in).
• For specific queries related to subject combinations, textbooks, or examination dates, students should contact their school authorities.

This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas has verified the information from official sources (cbse.gov.in). However, students must refer to official notifications from CBSE and their respective schools for final confirmation.

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For Stage I, the release of the hall ticket is managed by the respective State/U.T. education boards. Some states provide the facility to download it online, while others distribute it offline through school principals. For Stage II, the admit card is issued exclusively by NCERT via their official national portal.

The NTSE hall ticket contains vital information, including the exam venue address, candidate’s roll number, and specific reporting times. It is mandatory for students to carry a valid photo ID alongside their admit card for verification at the exam center.

NTSE 2026 Stage I Admit Card: State-Wise Links

The following table provides the official websites for various states and the typical mode of admit card release. Students should visit these portals in October 2026 to check for updates.

NTSE 2026 Stage II Admit Card

Only those students who qualify for the Stage I screening will be eligible for the Stage II National Level examination. NCERT usually uploads the E-Admit Cards for Phase 2 on its official website, ncert.nic.in, four weeks before the exam.

Steps to download the Stage II Admit Card:

• Visit the NCERT official website (ncert.nic.in) and navigate to the ‘National Talent Search Examination’ section.
• Click on the link ‘Download E-Admit Card for NTS Stage-II Examination’.
• Enter your Stage I Roll Number and Date of Birth.
• Download the PDF and print at least two copies.

Details to Verify on Your Hall Ticket

Once you receive your admit card, ensure the following details are correct. If you find any discrepancies, contact your School Principal or the State Liaison Officer immediately:

• Candidate’s Full Name and Date of Birth
• Category (General/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/PH)
• Roll Number and Gender
• Complete address of the Exam Centre
• Candidate’s Photograph and Signature

NTSE 2026 Last-Minute Preparation Tips

As the exam day approaches, focus on efficiency rather than new topics:

• Revision of Short Notes: Focus on formulas in Mathematics and key dates in Social Science.
• Mock Tests: Solve at least 3-5 full-length MAT papers to improve speed.
• Health & Rest: Maintain a consistent sleep cycle; exhaustion can lead to silly mistakes in the Mental Ability Test.
• Item Checklist: Keep your admit card, Aadhar card, and black/blue ballpoint pens ready a day in advance.

Special Instructions for Indian Students Studying Abroad

Indian nationals studying Class 10 abroad are exempted from the Stage I exam. They can appear directly for Stage II under these conditions:

• They must have secured at least 60% aggregate marks in their Class IX annual examination.
• They must submit a request through their current Head of Institution along with an attested marksheet to NCERT, New Delhi, by December 31, 2025.
• If selected, the scholarship will only be paid if the student pursues further studies in India.

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Stages of the NTSE 2026 Selection Process

NTSE 2026 remains a prestigious gateway for high school students. The objective is to identify students with superior intelligence and scholastic skills. Successful candidates who navigate both stages are eligible for lifelong benefits, including a monthly scholarship to support their academic journey.

Selected scholars receive the following scholarship amounts:

• Class XI to XII: 1,250 Rupees per month.
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses: 2,000 Rupees per month.
• Ph.D. degree: Scholarship amount is provided as per UGC norms.

The final merit list is prepared strictly based on the combined performance in the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) during the Stage II examination. Stage I serves as a qualifying round, and its marks are not added to the final national merit score.

Stage I: State-Level Selection

The NTSE 2026 Stage I is the primary screening phase. This phase is administered by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) or the relevant state education department. Every state has a specific quota of candidates they can recommend for the National level.

Key details of the Stage I Examination:

• The exam consists of two mandatory papers: Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
• Each paper contains 100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• The duration for each paper is 120 minutes (2 hours).
• There is no negative marking in the Stage I examination.

Important Note: Any queries, complaints, or requests for re-evaluation regarding Stage I must be directed to the State Liaison Officer. NCERT does not entertain correspondence related to the state-level results.

Stage II: National-Level Selection

Only students who clear the state-level cutoff for Stage I are invited to appear for the NTSE 2026 Stage II. This stage is uniform across India and is conducted by NCERT.

Structure of the Stage II Exam:

• Paper I: Mental Ability Test (MAT) – 100 questions, 100 marks, 120 minutes.
• Paper II: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – 100 questions (covering Science, Social Science, and Math), 100 marks, 120 minutes.
• The medium of examination is available in 13 languages, including English and Hindi.
• Similar to Stage I, there is no negative marking in Stage II.

Qualifying marks for both Stage I and Stage II are 40% for General, OBC, and EWS categories, and 32% for SC, ST, and PWD categories in each paper independently.

Reservation of Scholarships

In the final selection of 2,000 scholars nationwide, the following reservation criteria are applied:

• 15% for Scheduled Caste (SC) candidates.
• 7.5% for Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates.
• 27% for Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer).
• 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
• 4% for candidates with Benchmark Disabilities (Physically Challenged).

Candidates can check their Stage II results and the final merit list on the official NCERT portal.

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