In short: The CBSE Class 10 Science SQP for 2026-27, released September 21, 2026, follows the same 38-question, 5-section, 80-mark format. But within those 38 questions, you face Biology, Chemistry, and Physics all in one paper. This post breaks down the section-wise pattern, identifies the 20 most expected questions by chapter, highlights which diagrams and numericals are almost guaranteed to appear, and gives you a strategy to handle all three subjects in 3 hours.
Official SQP 2026-27 — Paper Structure
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Total Marks | 80 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Total Questions | 38 (all compulsory) |
| Sections | 5 (A through E) |
| Internal Choices | Available in some questions |
| Subject Areas Within Paper | Biology (A), Chemistry (B), Physics (C) |
| Released On | September 21, 2026 |
| Available At | CBSE Academic website (cbseacademic.nic.in) |
Important: Unlike Maths, where you have one subject to focus on, Science requires you to switch between three very different subjects within the same paper. Your preparation and time management must account for this.
Section-Wise Breakdown
Section A — MCQs and Assertion-Reason (20 marks)
| Question Type | Number | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCQs | 18 | 1 | 18 |
| Assertion-Reason | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Section A Total | 20 | — | 20 |
Biology MCQs: Expect 6-7 questions covering life processes, heredity, and ecosystem. Diagram-based MCQs (identify the part, function of X) are common.
Chemistry MCQs: Expect 5-6 questions on chemical reactions, acids-bases-salts, and periodic classification. Balancing equations and identifying reaction types are favourites.
Physics MCQs: Expect 5-6 questions on electricity (circuit diagrams, Ohm's law), light (mirror/lens), and magnetic effects. Calculation-based MCQs on resistance and focal length appear frequently.
Assertion-Reason pattern: One A-R question usually comes from Biology (e.g., "Assertion: Arteries have thick walls. Reason: Arteries carry blood away from the heart.") and one from Physics/Chemistry.
Section B — Very Short Answers (10 marks)
| Question Type | Number | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Short Answer | 5 | 2 | 10 |
| Section B Total | 5 | — | 10 |
Typical questions: Define a term, give two differences, state a law, draw a simple diagram, or write a balanced chemical equation.
Section C — Short Answers (18 marks)
| Question Type | Number | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Answer | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| Section C Total | 6 | — | 18 |
Typical questions: Explain a process (digestion, refraction), solve a numerical (resistance in series/parallel, lens formula), draw and label a diagram (human heart, formation of rainbow), or compare two concepts.
Section D — Long Answers (20 marks)
| Question Type | Number | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Answer | 4 | 5 | 20 |
| Section D Total | 4 | — | 20 |
Typical questions: Describe a complete process with diagram (nutrition in humans, refraction through glass prism), solve a multi-step numerical (combination of resistors, magnification), or explain a phenomenon with examples (corrosion, acid-base reactions).
Section E — Case-Based Questions (12 marks)
| Question Type | Number | Marks Each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case-Based / Source-Based | 3 | 4 | 12 |
| Section E Total | 3 | — | 12 |
Case study themes: One case each from Biology (health/disease, ecology), Chemistry (everyday chemical reactions, industrial process), and Physics (electrical appliances, optical instruments).
Subject-Wise Marks Distribution Within the Paper
| Subject Area | Approximate Marks | Percentage | Key Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 26-28 | ~34% | Life Processes, Heredity, Our Environment |
| Chemistry | 24-26 | ~31% | Chemical Reactions, Acids-Bases-Salts, Carbon Compounds |
| Physics | 26-28 | ~34% | Electricity, Light, Magnetic Effects |
| Total | 80 | 100% | — |
Chapter-Wise Expected Marks
Biology Chapters
| Chapter | Expected Marks | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Life Processes | 8-10 | 🔴 Highest |
| Control and Coordination | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| How Do Organisms Reproduce | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| Heredity and Evolution | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| Our Environment | 3-4 | 🟡 Medium |
| Management of Natural Resources | 2-3 | 🟢 Medium |
Chemistry Chapters
| Chapter | Expected Marks | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Reactions and Equations | 5-6 | 🔴 Highest |
| Acids, Bases, and Salts | 5-6 | 🔴 Highest |
| Metals and Non-metals | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| Carbon and Its Compounds | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| Periodic Classification of Elements | 3-4 | 🟡 Medium |
Physics Chapters
| Chapter | Expected Marks | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 8-10 | 🔴 Highest |
| Light — Reflection and Refraction | 6-8 | 🔴 Highest |
| Magnetic Effects of Electric Current | 4-5 | 🟡 High |
| Sources of Energy | 2-3 | 🟢 Medium |
| Human Eye and the Colourful World | 3-4 | 🟡 High |
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20 Most Expected Questions for 2027
Biology (Questions 1-7)
| # | Expected Question | Chapter | Marks | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Draw the diagram of human heart and label all four chambers, major blood vessels. Explain the flow of blood through the heart. | Life Processes | 5 | D |
| 2 | Describe the process of digestion in humans — from mouth to small intestine. Name the enzymes involved at each stage. | Life Processes | 5 | D |
| 3 | Explain the structure and function of nephron with a labelled diagram. How is urine formed? | Life Processes | 3-5 | C/D |
| 4 | What is the difference between autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition? Give two examples of each. | Life Processes | 2-3 | B/C |
| 5 | Explain Mendel's experiment on pea plants. What is the phenotypic and genotypic ratio of a monohybrid cross? | Heredity | 3-5 | C/D |
| 6 | What is a reflex arc? Draw a labelled diagram showing the path of a reflex action. | Control and Coordination | 3 | C |
| 7 | Explain the role of hormones in the human body. Name the glands that produce insulin, adrenaline, and thyroxine. | Control and Coordination | 2-3 | B/C |
Chemistry (Questions 8-13)
| # | Expected Question | Chapter | Marks | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Balance the following chemical equations and identify the type of reaction (combination, decomposition, displacement, double displacement, redox). | Chemical Reactions | 2-3 | B/C |
| 9 | What happens when an acid reacts with a metal carbonate? Write the equation and describe the test for the gas evolved. | Acids, Bases, Salts | 3 | C |
| 10 | Explain the pH scale. What is the pH of acids, bases, and neutral solutions? How does pH affect everyday life (digestion, tooth decay, soil)? | Acids, Bases, Salts | 3-5 | C/D |
| 11 | What are homologous series in carbon compounds? Write the general formula for alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes with first three members. | Carbon Compounds | 3 | C |
| 12 | Describe the extraction of metals from their ores — roasting, calcination, and electrolytic refining with examples. | Metals and Non-metals | 5 | D |
| 13 | State the Modern Periodic Law. Explain how atomic size, metallic character, and electronegativity vary across a period and down a group. | Periodic Classification | 3 | C |
Physics (Questions 14-20)
| # | Expected Question | Chapter | Marks | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Three resistors of 2Ω, 3Ω, and 6Ω are connected in parallel. Find the equivalent resistance. If a 12V battery is connected, find the current through each resistor. | Electricity | 5 | D |
| 15 | State Ohm's law. Draw a circuit diagram to verify Ohm's law. Plot the V-I graph and explain its significance. | Electricity | 3-5 | C/D |
| 16 | Derive the expression for equivalent resistance when resistors are connected in series. A 4Ω and 6Ω resistor in series are connected to a 20V battery — find current and voltage across each. | Electricity | 5 | D |
| 17 | An object is placed 30 cm from a concave mirror of focal length 15 cm. Find the position, nature, and size of the image using the mirror formula. | Light | 3 | C |
| 18 | Draw a ray diagram to show the formation of image when an object is placed between F and 2F of a convex lens. State the nature, position, and size of the image. | Light | 3 | C |
| 19 | Explain why a prism splits white light into its component colours. Draw a labelled diagram of dispersion of light through a prism. | Human Eye | 3 | C |
| 20 | Describe the working of an electric motor with a labelled diagram. What is the role of the split ring commutator? | Magnetic Effects | 3-5 | C/D |
Must-Know Diagrams
Diagrams carry significant marks in the Science paper. These are the diagrams most likely to appear:
| Diagram | Chapter | Marks Usually Awarded | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human heart (labelled) | Life Processes | 2-3 | Almost every year |
| Human digestive system | Life Processes | 2-3 | Very frequent |
| Nephron structure | Life Processes | 2 | Frequent |
| Reflex arc | Control and Coordination | 2 | Frequent |
| Human brain (labelled) | Control and Coordination | 2 | Occasional |
| Lens ray diagrams (convex, concave) | Light | 1-2 | Almost every year |
| Mirror ray diagrams | Light | 1-2 | Very frequent |
| Dispersion through prism | Human Eye | 1-2 | Frequent |
| Electric circuit (series/parallel) | Electricity | 1-2 | Very frequent |
| Electric motor | Magnetic Effects | 2 | Frequent |
| Mendel's cross diagram | Heredity | 1-2 | Frequent |
Diagram scoring tip: Always use a pencil for diagrams, label all parts clearly with straight leader lines, and give the diagram a title. A neatly drawn diagram with correct labels scores full marks; a messy or unlabelled diagram loses 1-2 marks even if the drawing is correct.
Expected Numericals
| Numerical Type | Chapter | Formula Needed | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equivalent resistance (series + parallel) | Electricity | R_series = R1+R2+R3; 1/R_parallel = 1/R1+1/R2+1/R3 | 3-5 |
| Power and energy calculation | Electricity | P = VI, P = I²R, E = Pt | 2-3 |
| Mirror formula | Light | 1/v + 1/u = 1/f; m = -v/u | 3 |
| Lens formula | Light | 1/v - 1/u = 1/f; m = v/u | 3 |
| Power of lens | Light | P = 1/f (in metres) | 1-2 |
Numerical scoring tip: Always write the formula first, then substitute values with correct units, then solve step by step. Even if your final answer is wrong, you score marks for the correct formula and substitution.
Case-Study Patterns for Science
| Case Theme | Subject | Concepts Tested | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital/health scenario | Biology | Blood groups, heart function, nutrition | Patient with symptoms — identify the problem |
| Kitchen chemistry | Chemistry | Acids and bases, pH, baking soda reactions | Why does lemon juice curdle milk? |
| Home electrical circuit | Physics | Power rating, resistance, circuit safety | Calculate electricity bill from appliance data |
Case-study tip: Each case study has 3-4 sub-questions worth 1-2 marks each. They start easy (define/identify) and get harder (calculate/explain). Attempt all parts — even a one-line correct answer scores marks.
Time Management Strategy
| Section | Questions | Marks | Recommended Time | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A (MCQs) | 20 | 20 | 30 min | 1.5 min each — flag and return if stuck |
| B (VSA) | 5 | 10 | 15 min | Quick definitions, equations, diagrams |
| C (SA) | 6 | 18 | 30 min | Show steps clearly, draw labelled diagrams |
| D (LA) | 4 | 20 | 40 min | Start with your strongest subject |
| E (Case) | 3 | 12 | 20 min | Read case fully before answering |
| Review | — | — | 15 min | Check equations, diagrams, calculations |
| Total | 38 | 80 | 150 min | — |
Subject-Order Strategy
Since Science combines three subjects, here is an effective approach:
- Section A (MCQs): Do all 20 — they cover all three subjects and warm up your brain
- Sections B-D: Start with your strongest subject's questions. If you are best at Biology, answer all Biology questions first across Sections B, C, and D, then Chemistry, then Physics.
- Section E (Cases): Save 20 minutes for these — they are easier than Section D and reward careful reading
- Review: Focus on checking Physics numericals (calculation errors are common) and Chemistry equations (balancing errors)
Comparison: 2027 SQP vs 2026 Paper
| Feature | 2026 Paper | 2027 SQP |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 38 Qs, 5 sections, 80 marks | Same |
| Diagram questions | 3-4 | 3-5 (slightly more emphasis) |
| Numericals | 4-5 | 4-5 (same level) |
| Case-based | 3 | 3 |
| Application focus | Moderate | Increased |
| HOTS questions | 2-3 | 3-4 (more expected) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the Science paper harder than Maths?
Subjectively, many students find Science harder because it covers three subjects. Objectively, the marks distribution is balanced. The challenge is switching mental gears between Biology (memory-based), Chemistry (equation-based), and Physics (numerical-based) within 3 hours.
Q2: Which subject should I start with in the exam?
Start with MCQs (Section A) to settle nerves. Then move to your strongest subject for Sections B-D. There is no rule about answering Biology first or Physics first — do what feels most natural to you.
Q3: How many diagrams should I prepare?
At minimum, prepare the 11 diagrams listed in the "Must-Know Diagrams" table above. In the exam, you will likely need to draw 3-5 diagrams. Each neatly labelled diagram is worth 1-3 marks.
Q4: Are numericals from Electricity the hardest?
Electricity numericals can be tricky because they combine Ohm's law, series-parallel resistance, and power calculations. However, they follow predictable patterns. If you practice 15-20 Electricity numericals, you will handle any variant in the exam.
Q5: Will there be questions from the new NCERT (2026-27 edition)?
Yes. All questions will be based on the 2026-27 NCERT textbook. If diagrams or explanations have been updated in the new edition, the answer key will follow the new text.
Q6: Can I skip one subject area and still pass?
Technically, you need 33% overall (approximately 27 out of 80) to pass. But neglecting any one subject is risky since questions from all three areas are spread across sections. Aim for balanced preparation.
Your Science Exam Action Plan
- ✅ Download and solve the official SQP from the CBSE website
- ✅ Master the 11 must-know diagrams — practice drawing them neatly
- ✅ Solve 20 Electricity numericals until the formulas are automatic
- ✅ Memorize all chemical equations from Chapters 1-3
- ✅ Practice 10 case-study questions for Section E
- ✅ Take 3 full mock tests under timed conditions
- ✅ Review the CBSE marking scheme to understand how marks are split
Science rewards consistent preparation across all three subjects. Do not leave any subject for the last week.
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