CBSE has just released the Sample Question Papers and marking schemes for the 2027 board exams — for both Class 10 and Class 12, subject by subject. If you’re sitting the boards this year, these are the single most useful documents you have: they show you the exact paper design, question types and marking you’ll face. Here’s what’s inside, what the pattern looks like, and how to actually use them.
What exactly was released
On the official academic portal cbseacademic.nic.in, CBSE has put up, for every subject:
- The Sample Question Paper (SQP) — a full model paper in the exact board format.
- The Marking Scheme (MS) — the official answer key and step-wise marks, so you see precisely how examiners award marks.
Good news for planning: the assessment scheme has not changed for 2026-27. The paper design and pattern are the same as the 2025-26 boards — so nothing you’ve prepared for is wasted.
The pattern that matters: half the paper is “competency-based”
This is the number every Class 10 student should internalise. The board paper is built in three blocks:
Class 10 board paper — how the marks are split
Based on the 2026-27 CBSE assessment scheme (theory component).
Half the paper now rewards thinking, not memorising. Competency-based questions put a concept in a new situation — a case study, a real-life scenario, an assertion-and-reason pair — and ask you to apply it. In an 80-mark Science or Maths paper, that’s about 40 marks you can’t crack by rote. The sample papers are the best place to see exactly what these look like. (Class 12 keeps its own established pattern, where competency-style questions are also a major share — around 40%.)
What a real paper looks like: Class 10 Maths (80 marks)
Section-wise structure of the Class 10 Maths sample paper
A concrete example of how the 80 theory marks are distributed.
That’s 80 theory marks; internal assessment adds 20, for 100 total. Section E — the case-based block — is exactly the competency-style questioning to practise hardest.
Class 10 in 2027: remember, there are two exams
A big change already in force: Class 10 now has two board attempts in a year. Use the sample papers for both:
How to actually use the sample papers
- Solve the full paper in one timed sitting — 3 hours, no notes. This is the only way to test real exam stamina and speed.
- Then mark yourself using the official marking scheme. Award marks exactly as it says — you’ll learn how examiners think and where easy marks are lost.
- List every mistake by type (silly error, concept gap, ran out of time). Your pattern of mistakes is your real syllabus now.
- Attack the competency section separately. Re-do every case-based and assertion-reason question until the format stops surprising you.
- Repeat with the next subject. One graded sample paper is worth ten passive re-reads of the textbook.
Direct download links (official CBSE)
Skip the hunting — here are the official Sample Question Paper PDFs for the main subjects. Each subject’s Marking Scheme sits on the same CBSE page (use the “all subjects” button). Every link opens on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Class 10 — Sample Papers 2026-27
Class 12 — Sample Papers 2026-27
Tip: download each subject’s Sample Paper and its Marking Scheme together — always grade yourself with the official key.
Boards start in February — start now
Download your subject’s sample paper today and solve one this week. Momentum beats cramming every single time.
Quick answers
When were the CBSE 2027 sample papers released?
On 21 September 2026, for both Class 10 and Class 12, along with subject-wise marking schemes, on cbseacademic.nic.in.
Has the exam pattern changed for 2026-27?
No. CBSE has kept the assessment scheme the same as 2025-26 — the paper design and marking pattern are unchanged, so your preparation stays valid.
What are competency-based questions?
Questions that apply a concept to a new situation — case studies, real-life scenarios, assertion-reason and source-based items. For Class 10 they make up 50% of the paper; you can’t clear them by rote.
Does Class 10 really have two board exams now?
Yes. Board Exam 1 is held in February 2027 (the main attempt everyone takes); Board Exam 2 in May 2027 is optional, to improve your score. Both follow the same pattern.
Where do I get the marking scheme?
It’s on the same page as each sample paper on cbseacademic.nic.in. Always download the SQP and its marking scheme together, and grade yourself with it.