by Tiwari Academy Team
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 5 to Class 12 are available here for free download in PDF format, updated for the 2026-27 academic session. Whether you’re a Class 6 student getting ready for your first periodic test or a Class 12 student preparing for the board exam, these sample papers are built around the current CBSE syllabus, blueprint and marking scheme, so your practice matches what you’ll actually face in the exam hall.
Every sample paper on this page follows the question pattern prescribed by the Central Board of Secondary Education – a mix of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), very short answer, short answer, long answer and case-based or competency-based questions – across subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, Hindi, Social Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Computer Science and Sanskrit, depending on your class and stream. Papers are available in both Hindi and English medium.
Quick Links: CBSE Sample Papers Class-wise
| Class | Stage | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Class 5 | Primary | Sample Papers for Class 5 |
| Class 6 | Upper Primary | Sample Papers for Class 6 |
| Class 7 | Upper Primary | Sample Papers for Class 7 |
| Class 8 | Middle Stage | Sample Papers for Class 8 |
| Class 9 | Secondary | Sample Papers for Class 9 |
| Class 10 | Secondary | Sample Papers for Class 10 |
| Class 11 | Senior Secondary | Sample Papers for Class 11 |
| Class 12 | Senior Secondary | Sample Papers for Class 12 |
Why CBSE Sample Papers Are Important for Exam Preparation
- Familiarity with the exam pattern – practicing CBSE sample papers shows students exactly how questions are framed section by section, so nothing feels unexpected on exam day.
- Understanding the marking scheme – each paper reflects how marks are split across MCQs, short-answer and long-answer questions, helping you learn where to invest your time.
- Better time management – attempting a full sample paper within the actual exam duration trains you to pace yourself across sections.
- Honest self-assessment – checking your answers against the marking scheme highlights exactly which chapters need more revision.
- Lower exam anxiety – repeated practice with realistic papers builds the confidence of having already “seen” a similar test.
- Alignment with the current syllabus – sample papers are revised every session to match syllabus changes, so you’re never practicing on outdated content.
CBSE Board Exam Pattern for 2026-27: What’s New for Class 10 and Class 12
One structural change matters a lot for how you should use sample papers this year: CBSE now holds the Class 10 board exam twice a year, a system introduced under the NEP 2020 reforms that continues into the 2026-27 session. Class 12, by contrast, remains a single annual board exam.
| Exam | Class | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| First Board Exam | Class 10 | Compulsory for all students; forms the primary result |
| Second Board Exam | Class 10 | Optional – for score improvement or compartment cases |
| Board Exam | Class 12 | Held once a year, as before |
CBSE considers the better of the two Class 10 attempts while preparing the final result and internal assessment (IA) for Class 10 is conducted only once during the session regardless of how many board attempts a student takes. This makes sample paper practice even more valuable for Class 10 – students can use the same papers to prepare for the compulsory first exam and then revisit them, subject by subject, if they choose to attempt the optional second exam.
Class-wise CBSE Sample Papers: What to Expect
Class 6, 7 and 8 – Foundational and Middle Stage
Classes 6, 7 and 8 don’t have CBSE board exams, but that doesn’t make sample papers any less useful. Most CBSE-affiliated schools design their periodic tests, half-yearly and annual exams around the CBSE pattern and the NCERT syllabus, including newer NCERT titles such as Ganita Prakash for Mathematics. Sample papers for these classes are structured with objective questions, short-answer questions and a few application-based questions, similar in style to what students will eventually see in Class 9 and 10.
Subjects covered: Mathematics, Science, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Social Science, Computer
Class 9 and Class 10 – Secondary Stage
Class 9 sample papers prepare students for the transition into board-level assessment, since Class 9 performance often shapes how ready a student is judged to be for Class 10. Class 10, as covered above, is now a two-attempt board exam year. Sample papers here are designed to match the exact CBSE blueprint, including the split between competency-based, short-answer and long-answer questions.
Subjects covered: Mathematics (Standard & Basic), Science, Social Science, English, Hindi (Course A & B), Sanskrit
Class 11 and Class 12 – Senior Secondary Stage
Class 11 is a transition year where students settle into a stream – Science, Commerce or Humanities – and sample papers help them adjust to the higher difficulty level and longer-format questions used at this stage. Class 12 is the second CBSE board exam year and since it’s held only once, thorough sample paper practice across every subject matters even more.
Subjects covered:
- Science stream: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science
- Commerce stream: Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics
- Humanities stream: History, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
Subjects Covered in CBSE Sample Papers, by Class Group
| Class Group | Core Subjects | Additional/Stream-based Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Class 6–8 | Maths, Science, English, Hindi, Social Science | Sanskrit, Computer |
| Class 9–10 | Maths, Science, Social Science, English, Hindi | Sanskrit, Computer Applications |
| Class 11–12 (Science) | Physics, Chemistry, English | Maths/Biology, Computer Science, Physical Education |
| Class 11–12 (Commerce) | Accountancy, Business Studies, English | Economics, Maths, Informatics Practices |
| Class 11–12 (Humanities) | History, Political Science, English | Geography, Psychology, Sociology, Economics |
CBSE Sample Papers vs Previous Year Papers vs NCERT Exemplar
Students often mix these three up. Here’s how they’re different and when to use each one:
| Resource | What It Is | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|
| CBSE Sample Papers | Model papers matching the current session’s blueprint and marking scheme | Full-length, timed practice before an exam |
| Previous Year Question Papers | Actual papers used in earlier CBSE board exams | Understanding real difficulty level and recurring question patterns |
| NCERT Exemplar | Extra, often tougher, practice questions published by NCERT | Building deeper conceptual clarity and problem-solving skill |
| NCERT Textbook Exercises | Core in-chapter and end-of-chapter questions | First-pass learning and understanding the basics |
The most effective strategy uses all four together: build concepts with the NCERT textbook, deepen understanding with NCERT Exemplar and once you feel ready, test yourself with sample papers and previous year papers under exam-like conditions.
How to Download and Use CBSE Sample Papers
- Select your class from the table above (Class 6 to Class 12).
- Choose your subject on the class-wise page – sample papers are organised subject by subject.
- Download the PDF – every sample paper is free to download and print.
- Set a timer matching the actual exam duration.
- Attempt the full paper without referring to the textbook, exactly as you would in the exam hall.
- Check your answers against the marking scheme provided with each paper.
- List your mistakes chapter-wise and revise those topics using your NCERT textbook or NCERT Solutions.
- Repeat with a fresh paper after revising, until your score stabilises at a comfortable level.
Tips to Score Better Using CBSE Sample Papers
- Start with open-book practice, then move to timed, closed-book attempts as the exam gets closer.
- Attempt at least 3–5 full sample papers per subject before a board exam, not just one.
- Don’t skip case-based and competency-based questions – CBSE has been increasing their weightage and they need different practice than direct-recall questions.
- If you’re a Class 10 student planning to attempt the optional second board exam, revisit your sample papers again, focusing only on the subjects you want to improve.
- Keep a separate notebook for formulas, diagrams and dates you repeatedly get wrong while solving sample papers.
- Solve at least one full previous year’s board paper per subject, in addition to sample papers, to get a feel for the real exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CBSE Sample Papers the same as the question papers used in the actual board exam?
No. CBSE sample papers are model papers released to show students the expected pattern, question types and marking scheme for the upcoming exam, but the actual board exam questions will be different. Previous year question papers, on the other hand, are the real papers used in earlier board exams. Using both together gives students a complete picture of format and difficulty before they sit for the real thing.
Are these CBSE Sample Papers free to download?
Yes, every sample paper listed on this page, across Class 6 to Class 12, is free to download in PDF format. You can select your class, choose your subject and download the paper along with its marking scheme without registration or payment, in both Hindi and English medium wherever available.
How many sample papers should I solve before my exam?
There’s no fixed number, but solving 3 to 5 full-length sample papers per subject, plus a couple of previous year board papers, is a reasonable target before a board exam. For non-board classes, 2 to 3 sample papers per subject before a periodic test or annual exam is usually enough to build confidence and identify weak topics.
Do Class 10 students need different sample papers for the February and May board exams?
Since CBSE now conducts the Class 10 board exam twice a year – a compulsory exam first, followed by an optional improvement exam – students appearing for the second attempt should revisit the same sample papers and previous year papers, focusing specifically on the subjects they want to improve rather than starting over with new material.
Are CBSE Sample Papers useful for Class 6 to Class 9, even though these classes don’t have board exams?
Yes. Even though Classes 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 don’t have CBSE board exams, most schools design their periodic tests, half-yearly and annual exams around the same CBSE pattern. Practicing with sample papers at this stage builds familiarity with question types like case-based questions, so students are already comfortable with the format by the time they reach Class 10.
Do CBSE Sample Papers come with solutions and a marking scheme?
Yes, sample papers on this page are provided along with marking schemes that show how marks are distributed across each question and step, the same way a CBSE examiner would evaluate the answer. This lets students self-check their attempts accurately rather than just comparing final answers.
CBSE Sample Papers remain one of the simplest, most effective ways to prepare for school and board exams, whether you’re revising for a Class 6 periodic test or getting ready for the Class 12 board exam. Pick your class from the table above, download the papers for your subjects and make timed practice a regular part of your study routine through the 2026-27 session.
