CBSE Sample Papers 2026-27 Are Out: How Parents Can Use Them
CBSE has released sample question papers and marking schemes for Class 10 and 12. A simple plan to use them well, including during a school break.
CBSE has released the Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and Marking Schemes for Classes 10 and 12 for the 2026-27 session, according to a CBSE notification dated September 21, 2026. The papers are on the board's academic website, cbseacademic.nic.in, for Class 10 and Class 12 separately. Here is how to use them without turning your home into an exam hall.
What the sample papers are for
Sample papers show the format of the question paper, the types of questions, and the marking pattern. The marking scheme tells you what a full-mark answer looks like, which is often more useful than the paper itself. CBSE has said there is no change in question paper design or assessment pattern for 2026-27, so these are a reliable guide to what the board exam will look like.
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A simple plan for the first attempt
- 1Print or download the paper for one subject from cbseacademic.nic.in. Use only the official files.
- 2Let your child attempt it under time, at a desk, without notes. Do not hover.
- 3Use the marking scheme to check it together, but let your child do the checking first.
- 4Write down three things: topics that cost marks, questions skipped, and questions where time ran out.
- 5Go back to the textbook for those topics only. Then attempt the next subject.
Practical tip
A first sample paper is a diagnosis, not a score to be judged. A low first score in October is useful information with months left to act on it.
If your child gets a school break
Holiday dates differ by state and school, so check your school's calendar for the festival break. If your child gets a break, a light plan works better than a heavy one: finish pending project and practical files, revise one or two weak chapters, and attempt one sample paper, then stop. Rest matters too. A child who returns tired does not gain from extra hours.
| Break day | Light plan |
|---|---|
| First day | Rest, finish pending project or file work |
| Middle days | One sample paper (timed) and review with the marking scheme |
| Last day | Revise the weak topics from the paper, then plan the week ahead |
Class 10 and Class 12 parents: other dates to keep in mind
Schools are also submitting the List of Candidates for the 2027 exams. The normal submission window ends on October 21 (October 17 if the school pays by challan), according to CBSE's circular. Check your child's details with the school before then.
Related reading
Our checklist for the CBSE 2027 registration and LOC, and what the board said about the Class 10 pass rule.
Sources: CBSE notification, Sample Question Papers for Classes X and XII 2026-27, dated 21.09.2026 (cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/Notifications/2026/132_Notification_2026.pdf); CBSE LOC circular dated 17.09.2026 (cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/LOC_2627_21092026.pdf). Also covered by Education Times (October 1, 2026). Dates can change, so confirm with your school and cbse.gov.in.
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