Class 10 Maths First Term Exam 2026: Preparation Guide, Syllabus & Study Plan

Class 10 Maths First Term Exam 2026 Preparation Guide
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Class 10 Maths First Term Exam is near. Get chapter list, weightage, 30-day study plan, common mistakes & FAQs to score high in September 2026.

The first terminal exam for Class 10 is one of the most important checkpoints before the CBSE board year begins. Conducted by schools every September, it usually covers the first half of the syllabus and sets the tone for how confidently you approach the rest of the year. This guide breaks down exactly which Class 10 Maths chapters are usually tested in the first term, how many marks each carries, a day-by-day 30-day study plan and the mistakes most students make – so you walk into the exam hall prepared, not panicked.

What Exactly Is the “First Term Exam” for Class 10?

It’s important to get one thing clear before you start preparing: the First Term Exam (also called the First Terminal, Half-Yearly Exam or Periodic Test 1 depending on your school) is not the same as a CBSE board exam. CBSE itself does not run a “Term 1 / Term 2” board split anymore – that system was used only till 2022. The main CBSE Class 10 board exam is held once a year (Febโ€“March), with a second attempt option for improvement.

What schools call the “First Term Exam” is an internal periodic assessment, decided and conducted by your own school, usually in September. It:

  • Tests roughly the first 40โ€“50% of the annual syllabus (varies by school)
  • Contributes to your internal report card and in many schools, to Internal Assessment marks
  • Follows the same competency-based, step-marking pattern used in the actual CBSE board paper
  • Is the best rehearsal you’ll get before the real board exam

Because the pattern mirrors the board exam, how you prepare for this test is a direct preview of your board exam strategy.

Chapters Usually Covered in the First Term (September)

Most CBSE schools split the 14 NCERT chapters roughly in half across the two terms. While your own school’s syllabus circular is the final word, the table below reflects the most common first-term coverage pattern followed across CBSE schools.

ChaptersTypical TermApprox. Marks Weightage
1. Real NumbersFirst Term6
2. PolynomialsFirst TermPart of 20 (shared with Ch 3โ€“5)
3. Pair of Linear Equations in Two VariablesFirst TermPart of 20
4. Quadratic EquationsFirst TermPart of 20
5. Arithmetic ProgressionsFirst TermPart of 20
6. TrianglesFirst TermPart of 15 (shared with Ch 10)
7. Coordinate GeometryOften First TermPart of 12 (shared with Ch 9)
Important: Confirm this against your own school’s syllabus notice – some schools include Chapter 9 or 10 in the first term, others push everything after Chapter 7 to the second term. Don’t assume; check your school diary or the notice sent by your Maths teacher.

Chapter-Wise Preparation Priorities

Not all first-term chapters need equal time. Here’s how to divide your effort based on difficulty and scoring potential.

High-Priority, High-Scoring Chapters

  1. Quadratic Equations: Master factorisation and the quadratic formula. Discriminant-based “nature of roots” questions are almost guaranteed.
  2. Arithmetic Progressions: The nth term and sum-of-n-terms formulas are used repeatedly; practice word problems, not just direct formula plug-ins.
  3. Pair of Linear Equations: Focus on the elimination and substitution methods; graphical method questions are common in the first term specifically.
  4. Real Numbers: Euclid’s Division Lemma and the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic (HCF/LCM by prime factorisation) are short but scoring topics.

Moderate-Effort Chapters

  1. Polynomials: Relationship between zeros and coefficients; keep formulas for sum and product of zeros ready.
  2. Coordinate Geometry: Distance formula and section formula; diagrams help you avoid silly errors.




Chapters That Need Extra Practice

  1. Triangles: Theorem proofs (especially the Basic Proportionality Theorem) need to be written in the exact stepwise format for full marks.
  2. Introduction to Trigonometry: Trigonometric identities and standard angle values (30ยฐ, 45ยฐ, 60ยฐ) must be memorised cold; even one wrong value cascades into a wrong final answer.

30-Day First Term Study Plan

Here’s a simple, repeatable weekly structure you can follow for four weeks leading up to the exam.

WeekFocusDaily Goal
Week 1Real Numbers + Polynomials1 exercise per day + revise theory in notebook
Week 2Linear Equations + Quadratic Equations2 solved examples + 5 practice problems daily
Week 3Arithmetic Progressions + Coordinate GeometryMix old + new topics; 1 mixed worksheet daily
Week 4Triangles + Trigonometry + Full Revision1 mock test every 2 days, formula revision daily

Daily micro-routine (adapt to your own school hours):

  1. 20 minutes: Revise formulas/theorems from the previous day (write them, don’t just read)
  2. 45โ€“60 minutes: Solve NCERT exercise questions for the day’s chapter
  3. 15 minutes: Attempt 3โ€“5 mixed/previous-year style questions
  4. 10 minutes: Note down mistakes in an “error log” notebook

The error log is the single most effective habit for first-term prep – most marks are lost not from not knowing a concept, but from repeating the same silly calculation or sign mistake across multiple tests.




Common Mistakes Students Make in the First Term Maths Exam

  • Skipping the “state the theorem” line before writing a proof – many schools award 1 separate mark just for the correct statement.
  • Not showing steps in quadratic and linear equation problems – even a correct final answer can lose marks under CBSE’s step-marking scheme.
  • Confusing formulas between AP’s nth term (a + (nโ€“1)d) and sum formula (n/2[2a + (nโ€“1)d]) – write both on a flashcard and revise until instant recall.
  • Ignoring units and labelling in coordinate geometry and mensuration-linked answers.
  • Ignoring negative signs in quadratic formula calculations – a very common, entirely avoidable error.
  • Leaving trigonometric ratio questions for the end – since these need memorised values, doing them first (while your memory is freshest) reduces panic-driven mistakes.

Sample Question Pattern You Can Expect

Most schools model their first term paper on the CBSE board format, just scaled to a smaller syllabus portion.

SectionQuestion TypeTypical Marks Each
AMCQs / Very Short Answer1
BShort Answer (2 steps)2
CShort Answer (3โ€“4 steps)3
DLong Answer (multi-step, proofs, word problems)5
ECase-Based / Source-Based Questions4 (with sub-parts)

Practising at least one full-length paper in this format under timed conditions before the actual exam will do more for your score than solving isolated questions.

Quick Revision Checklist Before the Exam

Use this the night before and the morning of the exam:

  • All formulas for AP (nth term, sum of n terms) written and revised
  • Standard trigonometric ratio values (0ยฐ, 30ยฐ, 45ยฐ, 60ยฐ, 90ยฐ) memorised
  • Quadratic formula and discriminant conditions revised
  • Distance and section formula (coordinate geometry) revised
  • At least one full mock paper attempted in exam-time conditions
  • Error log reviewed one final time
  • Stationery, admit card/roll number, geometry box ready the night before




Frequently Asked Questions

Is the First Term Exam the same as the CBSE board exam?

No. The First Term Exam is a school-conducted internal assessment, usually in September. The CBSE board exam is separate and held once a year (with an improvement attempt option), typically starting in February.

How many chapters are usually asked in the Class 10 Maths first term?

Most schools cover Chapters 1 to 7 (Real Numbers through Coordinate Geometry) and some extend into Chapter 8 or 9. Always confirm with your school’s official syllabus notice, since this varies.

Do first term marks count in the final board result?

Not directly for the CBSE theory exam, but they often form part of your school’s Internal Assessment component and give an early, honest picture of your board-exam readiness.

What is the best way to revise formulas quickly before the exam?

Create a single-page formula sheet per chapter, covering AP, quadratic equations, coordinate geometry and trigonometric ratios. Revise this sheet daily in the final week instead of re-reading the entire textbook.

Which topics should I prioritise if I have limited time before the exam?

Focus on Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions and Linear Equations first – these carry the most combined weightage and appear in nearly every paper pattern.

The First Term Exam isn’t just another school test – it’s a low-stakes rehearsal for the real board exam pattern you’ll face later in the year. Use it to build the habits (step-wise writing, formula recall, timed practice) that will matter far more in February. Combine this preparation plan with chapter-wise NCERT exercise solutions to clear doubts as they come up, and you’ll walk into the exam room with far more confidence than a last-minute crammer.