CBSE Class 10 Board Exam 2026 LIVE: Science 10th paper 'easy to moderate' in difficulty, physics tough

Several questions provided internal options, enabling students to attempt questions from their stronger units.

While manageable, students reported the paper felt lengthy due to a mix of MCQs, short answers, and long descriptive responses.

Physics included formula-based numericals and ray-diagram questions that demanded accuracy and step-wise presentation.

Most Chemistry questions were direct, testing chemical reactions, equations, and conceptual clarity from NCERT.

Initial reactions suggest the Science paper maintained a moderate difficulty level, closely aligned with NCERT concepts and expected board pattern.

The paper maintained proportional representation from all major units, avoiding overemphasis on any single chapter.

Students unable to clear one or two subjects will get another opportunity through compartment exams scheduled later in the year.

Apart from theory exams, internal assessment plays a crucial role in final results, especially in subjects like Science and Social Science.

CBSE follows a centralised evaluation system where answer sheets are coded to maintain anonymity and ensure fair marking across centres.

Though the difficulty level was balanced, the paper felt slightly long due to MCQs, Assertion-Reason questions, competency-based items, numericals, and diagram-based problems. Students with strong time management skills were able to complete the paper comfortably.

Biology featured familiar diagrams and reasoning questions from NCERT. Chemistry focused on standard reactions and core concepts, while Physics included numerical and ray-diagram problems requiring formula application but remained within the expected pattern.

As per expert Priyanka Sahu from Seth MR Jaipuria Schools, the Class 10 Science paper was moderate in difficulty and largely based on NCERT concepts. Most questions were direct and concept-driven, favouring students who revised the textbook thoroughly. The structure remained predictable with no major surprises.

The CBSE Class 10 Science paper was easy to moderate. It had a balanced mix of skill-based and direct questions, mostly based on CBSE 10th sample papers. Some MCQs and application-based questions were a bit tricky, but overall, students were able to complete the paper on time and were satisfied with its difficulty level.

Students who practised the CBSE Science sample paper Class 10 2026 with solutions said that the actual exam paper was easy.

According to the CBSE Class 10 Science paper analysis, the question paper had different sections, and Section C challenged students to think more deeply and use higher-order thinking skills.

The students were able to complete the CBSE Class 10 Science question paper within the given time and expressed satisfaction with the level of difficulty. Overall, all the questions of the CBSE Class 10 Science exam 2026 were easy to moderate, as per the media reports.

As per the CBSE Class 10 Science paper review, the MCQs and skill-based questions were of average difficulty and moderate trickery, providing a balanced assessment of student understanding.

According to Shikha Sharma, Head of Science Department, Silverline Prestige School, the CBSE Class 10 Science question paper was of average difficulty, with some questions being straightforward and easy to answer.

According to media reports, the CBSE Class 10 Science Exam 2026 was "easy to moderate" in difficulty, with students saying Physics was tough while Biology was easy.

The CBSE Science exam today, February 25, was conducted from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm for Class 10 students.

The CBSE Class 10 Science question paper 2026 will be released soon, allowing students to check the questions and evaluate their performance.

CBSE Science exam review will be shared soon by subject experts and teachers to help students understand the difficulty level and question types of the CBSE Class 10 Science question paper.

The CBSE Science exam 2026 weightage is divided into 80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for the internal assessment, which includes projects, practicals and periodical tests.

For CBSE Class 10 Science, the passing marks are 33%. This means that a student needs to score at least 33% in theory, 33% in practical/internal assessment separately and 33% in aggregate to pass the exam. In terms of marks:

• Theory (out of 80): minimum 26.4 marks
• Practical or Internal assessment (out of 20): minimum 6.6 marks

The CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper analysis and question paper PDF will be available soon for students to check and evaluate their answers.

The CBSE Class 10 Science question paper analysis 2026 will be shared soon, providing students with insights into the difficulty level and types of questions asked in the CBSE 10th exam.

The CBSE Class 10 Science board paper 2026 answer key will be released soon to help students estimate their scores.

The CBSE Class 10 Science board exam question paper will be released soon, as the exam concludes today at 1:30 pm.

CBSE conducted the Class 10 Science board exam 2026 today from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. Soon, subject experts, coaching centres, and YouTube channels will release unofficial CBSE Class 10 Science exam answer keys and question papers with solutions to help students check their expected scores. 

The CBSE Class 10 Science board exam 2026 will conclude in half an hour. The question paper and exam analysis will be shared here after the exam ends.

Students who appeared for the CBSE Class 10 Science board exam 2026 must score at least 33% to pass. Careers360 subject experts will soon provide the CBSE 10 Science question paper with the answer key 2026, helping students check their responses.

The CBSE Class 10 Science exam will end at 1:30 pm. After the exam, the CBSE Class 10 science paper analysis will be shared by students, teachers, and subject experts.

This year, nearly 25 lakh students are appearing for the Class 10 exams, including about 14 lakh boys and 10.9 lakh girls.

CBSE has announced several major changes for the 2025–26 board exams. The board has made APAAR ID linking mandatory for students, revised the exam registration fee, and again stated that students must have 75% attendance to appear for the Class 10 and 12 board exams.

Also read: CBSE unveils 8 major changes for Class 10, 12 board exams; what students need to know

According to the CBSE Class 10 exam date sheet 2026, the Security, Automotive, Agriculture, Food Production, Banking and Insurance, Healthcare, Apparel, Design Thinking, and Foundation Skills for Science papers will be held tomorrow from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Starting from the 2026 board exams, CBSE is introducing On-Screen Marking (OSM), a digital system where teachers evaluate scanned answer sheets online to make the process faster and more accurate.

The CBSE Class 10 Science Board Exam 2026 has begun. Students must answer 39 compulsory questions separated into three sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will start the Class 10 Science exam today at 10:30 am, and it will end at 1:30 pm.

Yes, students can wear a simple analogue wristwatch to check the time in the CBSE Class 10 board exam 2026. However, digital watches, smartwatches and any electronic, Bluetooth or cellular devices are strictly not allowed inside the examination hall.

In CBSE Class 10 board exams, students can use blue or royal blue ink pens, including ballpoint, gel or fountain pens. It is recommended to use pens that do not leak and are comfortable to write with for long periods. Black pens, coloured pens and white ones are not allowed.

The CBSE Class 10 annual exam will be for 80 marks, and 20 marks will be given for the internal assessment. Out of the 80 marks, 68 marks will be for theory, and 12 marks will be for practical-based questions.

To pass the CBSE Class 10 board exams, students need to score at least 33% marks in all five subjects, including theory and internal assessment or practical. Students need to score above 'E' in all subjects. For practical subjects, they need to pass both theory and practical separately.

Yes, CBSE Class 10 uses the "best of 5" rule to calculate the overall percentage. If a student has scored 6 or more subjects, the five subjects with the highest marks, including the compulsory language, will count towards the final percentage. This allows a subject with lower marks to be replaced by an optional subject with higher marks.

The CBSE Class 10 exam pattern for 2025–26 includes an 80-mark theory test of 3 hours duration and 20 marks for internal assessment conducted by schools. In 2026, the question paper consists of 50% skill-based questions (MCQs and case-based questions), 30% short and long answer questions and 20% objective questions. Students need to score at least 33% marks in each subject to pass.

To pass the CBSE Class 10 board exam, students must score at least 33% in theory, 33% in practical or internal assessment separately, and 33% overall. This means students need a minimum of 26.4 marks out of 80 in the theory exam to pass.

In CBSE Class 10, as per the 80/20 rule, 80 marks are for the board theory exam, and 20 marks are for internal assessment like projects, practicals and exams.

In CBSE Class 10 Science, the toughest chapter varies from student to student, but most students find these chapters the most difficult:

• Electricity (Physics)
• Magnetic Effects of Electric Current (Physics)
• Carbon and Its Compounds (Chemistry)
• Life Processes (Biology)

For the first time this year, the CBSE Class 10 Science answer booklet is divided into three sections: Section A for Biology, Section B for Chemistry, and Section C for Physics. 

This year, nearly 25 lakh students will take the Class 10 exams, including around 14 lakh boys and 10.9 lakh girls and for Class 12, approximately 10.2 lakh boys and 8.3 lakh girls are expected to appear.

As per the CBSE guidelines, students must strictly follow these rules on exam days:

• Arrive at the examination centre at least 45–60 minutes before the scheduled start time.

• Entry will be denied once the gates are closed.

• Students must remain seated until the exam ends and the final bell is announced.

• Exchanging stationery or discussing answers inside the exam hall is not permitted.

The following items are strictly banned inside the examination hall:

• Mobile phones and other electronic gadgets

• Smartwatches or digital devices

• Calculators, unless officially allowed

• Notes, papers, or any written material

Students must score at least 33% marks in every subject to pass, including theory, practical, and internal assessment components. They are also required to pass theory and practical exams separately wherever applicable.

Students appearing for the exams should bring the following:

• Admit card

• School identity card

• Blue or black ballpoint pens

• Pencils and eraser

• Transparent water bottle

The chapters included in the Physics sections are:

• Electricity
• Light-Reflection & Refraction
• Human Eye & Colourful World
• Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

The weightage of chemistry section is 25 marks. Electricity chapter carriers 10 marks, Light-Reflection & Refraction consits 8 marks, Human Eye & Colourful World chapter include 4 marks and Magnetic Effects  of Electric Current carries 3 marks.

The chapters included in the CBSE Class 10 Chemistry Board Exam 2026 is Mentals & Non-metals chapter, Acid, Bases & Salts and Carbon & its Compounds

The weightage of chemistry section is 25 marks. Mentals & Non-metals chapter carriers 12 marks, Acid, Bases & Salts chapter consits 7 marks and Carbon & its Compounds carries 6 marks.

The weightage of biology section is 30 marks. Only Life processes chapter include 10 marks and other four chapters: Control & Coordination, How Do Organisms Reproduce?, Our Environment, and Heredity & Evolution consists 5 marks each.

Biology section consits five chapters: Life processes, Control & Coordination, How Do Organisms Reproduce?, Our Environment, and Heredity & Evolution.

To register for the CBSE Class 10 Board phase 2 exam 2026, students must qualify in the mentioned below category. 

• Candidates who completed Phase 1 but want to enhance their scores in up to three subjects.
• Those who failed one or two subjects in Phase 1 might reapply to pass those specific exams.
• Those who qualified after replacing a failed primary subject with a vocational/skills subject.
• Athletes that competed in national/international sporting events that conflicted with Phase 1 dates may participate in Phase 2.

This year, CBSE will conduct the class 10 board exams twice a year. This initative aims to reduce student stress by giving a second chance to improve scores within the same year.