Class 10 Science Exam Marks Distribution 2026–27
The Class 10 Science assessment consists of an 80-mark written examination and a 20-mark internal assessment, making a total of 100 marks.
| Assessment Type | Marks |
|---|---|
| Written Examination | 80 |
| Internal Assessment | 20 |
| Total | 100 |
Internal Assessment (20 Marks)
Internal Assessment is distributed across the academic year through the following four components:
| Assessment Component | Marks | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Periodic Assessment | 5 | Periodic tests |
| Multiple Assessments | 5 | Quizzes, oral tests and concept maps |
| Portfolio | 5 | Classwork, student achievements and reflections |
| Subject Enrichment Activities | 5 | Practical laboratory work and project files |
| Total | 20 | Throughout the academic year |
Class 10 Science Written Examination
The Class 10 Science examination carries 80 marks and is designed to assess students through a combination of objective, conceptual, application-based, and descriptive questions. The examination duration is 3 hours, and the paper contains 39 questions.
The question paper is divided into three subject-wise sections:
- Section A: Biology – 30 Marks
- Section B: Chemistry – 25 Marks
- Section C: Physics – 25 Marks
Class 10 Science Exam Pattern at a Glance
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Class | 10 |
| Subject | Science |
| Maximum Marks | 80 |
| Time Allowed | 3 Hours |
| Total Questions | 39 |
| Biology | 30 Marks |
| Chemistry | 25 Marks |
| Physics | 25 Marks |
| Question Types | MCQs, Assertion–Reason, Short Answer, Long Answer, Case-Based |
| Internal Choices | Available in selected questions |
| Figure-Based Questions | Included |
Section A: Biology
Maximum Marks: 30
The Biology section covers questions ranging from 1-mark objective questions to 5-mark descriptive questions. It includes conceptual, diagram-based, application-based, and case-based questions.
Biology Question Pattern
| Question No. | Question Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q2 | MCQ + Figure | 1 |
| Q3 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q4 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q5 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q6 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q7 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q8 | Assertion–Reason | 1 |
| Q9 | Assertion–Reason | 1 |
| Q10 | Short Answer | 2 |
| Q11 | Short Answer with Internal Choice | 2 |
| Q12 | Question + Figure | 2 |
| Q13 | 3-Part Question + Figure | 3 |
| Q14 | 3-Part Question | 3 |
| Q15 | Case/Concept-Based Question with Internal Choice | 4 |
| Q16 | Long Answer with Internal Choice | 5 |
| Total | 30 |
The Biology section runs from Q1 to Q16. It includes Assertion–Reason questions, short answers, diagrams, case-based questions, and long-answer questions.
Section B: Chemistry
Maximum Marks: 25
The Chemistry section begins with objective questions and gradually moves towards questions requiring chemical reasoning, equations, application, and detailed explanations.
Chemistry Question Pattern
| Question No. | Question Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Q17 | MCQ / Chemical Reaction Based | 1 |
| Q18 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q19 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q20 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q21 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q22 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q23 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q24 | Assertion–Reason | 1 |
| Q25 | Short Answer | 1 |
| Q26 | Short Answer / Equation Based | 1 |
| Q27 | 3-Mark Question with Internal Choice | 3 |
| Q28 | Case/Passage-Based Question | 4 |
| Q29 | Long Answer with Internal Choice | 5 |
| Total | 25 |
The Chemistry section covers Q17 to Q29 and includes chemical equations, reasoning-based questions, case/passage-based questions, and internal choices.
Section C: Physics
Maximum Marks: 25
The Physics section focuses on conceptual understanding, numerical problems, diagrams, application-based questions, and longer descriptive questions.
Physics Question Pattern
| Question No. | Question Type | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Q30 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q31 | MCQ | 1 |
| Q32 | Assertion–Reason | 1 |
| Q33 | Figure/Ray Diagram Based | 2 |
| Q34 | Numerical / Short Answer with Internal Choice | 2 |
| Q35 | Application-Based Question | 3 |
| Q36 | Conceptual / Experimental Question with Internal Choice | 3 |
| Q37 | Conceptual / Figure-Based Question with Internal Choice | 3 |
| Q38 | Case-Based Question | 4 |
| Q39 | Long Answer with Internal Choice | 5 |
| Total | 25 |
The Physics section extends from Q30 to Q39 and includes numerical, diagram-based, conceptual, case-based, and long-answer questions.
Overall Class 10 Science Marks Distribution
| Section | Subject | Question Numbers | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section A | Biology | Q1–Q16 | 30 |
| Section B | Chemistry | Q17–Q29 | 25 |
| Section C | Physics | Q30–Q39 | 25 |
| Total | Science | 39 Questions | 80 Marks |
Types of Questions in Class 10 Science
1. Multiple Choice Questions
MCQs carry 1 mark and test students’ understanding of important concepts, facts, diagrams, reactions, and applications.
Students should read every option carefully before selecting the correct answer.
2. Assertion–Reason Questions
Assertion–Reason questions contain two statements:
Assertion (A)
Reason (R)
Students need to determine the truth of both statements and whether the Reason correctly explains the Assertion.
3. Short-Answer Questions
Short-answer questions require students to provide concise explanations, differences, reasons, definitions, calculations, or applications of scientific concepts.
4. Figure-Based Questions
Science diagrams play an important role in the examination.
Questions may require students to:
- Identify parts of a diagram
- Interpret a given figure
- Draw a scientific diagram
- Complete or analyse a diagram
- Use a diagram to explain a concept
5. Case-Based Questions
Case-based questions present a scientific situation, passage, experiment, or real-life context followed by sub-questions.
These questions test whether students can apply scientific concepts rather than simply recall information.
6. Long-Answer Questions
Long-answer questions carry higher marks and may contain several sub-parts. Students may need to explain concepts, solve numerical problems, analyse situations, write equations, or provide scientific reasoning.
Internal Choice in the Question Paper
The question paper provides internal choices in selected questions. There is no overall choice, so students should prepare the complete syllabus instead of depending on a particular question or chapter.
How to Prepare for Class 10 Science
Biology Preparation
- Important concepts
- Biological processes
- Diagrams and labelling
- Definitions
- Differences
- Case-based questions
- Application-based questions
- Long-answer questions
Chemistry Preparation
- Chemical reactions
- Chemical equations
- Balancing equations
- Properties of substances
- Reason-based questions
- Chemical applications
- Case-based questions
Physics Preparation
- Numerical problems
- Important formulas
- Ray diagrams
- Magnetic-field diagrams
- Conceptual questions
- Application-based questions
- Experiments
- Case-based questions
Tips for Scoring Better in Science
Understand concepts instead of memorising everything. A strong understanding of concepts makes it easier to solve objective, application-based, and descriptive questions.
Practise diagrams regularly. Correct labelling and clear diagrams can make figure-based questions much easier.
Solve numerical problems step by step. Write the formula, substitute the values, and include the correct unit.
Practise Assertion–Reason questions. These require careful reading and conceptual clarity.
Attempt case-based questions carefully. Read the complete passage before answering the sub-questions.
Practise questions with internal choices. This helps you become comfortable with different question formats.
Conclusion
The Class 10 Science Exam Paper Pattern 2026–27 consists of an 80-mark, 3-hour examination with 39 questions. The paper is divided into Biology (30 marks), Chemistry (25 marks), and Physics (25 marks).
The examination includes MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions, short-answer questions, figure-based questions, case-based questions, numerical problems, and long-answer questions.
Understanding the exam pattern before beginning final revision can help students organise their preparation, practise different question formats, and manage their examination time more effectively.
