Back to Blog
CBSE 7 min read4 October 2026

CBSE Class 10 Most Repeated Questions (Last 10 Years) - Subject-Wise Analysis 2027

Discover the most frequently asked questions in CBSE Class 10 board exams from the last 10 years. Subject-wise breakdown for Maths, Science, Social Science, English, and Hindi.

In short: CBSE Class 10 board exams follow a predictable pattern. Certain topics like quadratic polynomials, trigonometric identities, chemical equations, and Ohm's law appear almost every year. Studying the most repeated questions from the last 10 years and practicing them with previous year papers gives you a serious scoring advantage.

If you are preparing for CBSE Class 10 board exams, there is one strategy that almost every topper follows: studying the most repeated questions from previous years. CBSE has a pattern. Certain questions, concepts, and question types appear again and again. Knowing them gives you a serious edge.

Here is a subject-wise breakdown of the most frequently asked questions based on analysis of the last 10 years of CBSE Class 10 papers.

Mathematics - Most Repeated Topics

Maths papers follow a very predictable structure. These topics appear almost every single year:

Algebra (20+ marks every year):

  • Finding zeroes of a quadratic polynomial and verifying the relationship between zeroes and coefficients
  • Solving a pair of linear equations using substitution, elimination, or cross-multiplication
  • Finding the nth term and sum of n terms of an AP
  • Word problems on quadratic equations (speed-distance, age problems)

Trigonometry (12-14 marks):

  • Proving trigonometric identities (appears every year without exception)
  • Questions based on heights and distances with two angles of elevation
  • Evaluating trigonometric ratios of standard angles

Geometry (12-15 marks):

  • Proving Basic Proportionality Theorem (Thales theorem) - asked almost 8 out of 10 years
  • Problems on tangent to a circle from an external point
  • Construction of a triangle similar to a given triangle

Statistics (8-11 marks):

  • Finding mean using direct, assumed mean, or step deviation method
  • Finding median from a frequency distribution table (appears every year)
  • Drawing ogive curves

Science - Most Repeated Questions

Chemistry (25 marks section):

  • Balancing chemical equations and identifying reaction types - asked every year
  • Properties of acids and bases, pH scale questions
  • Difference between soaps and detergents
  • Ethanol and ethanoic acid properties and reactions
  • Questions on corrosion and rancidity

Physics (25 marks section):

  • Ohm's law verification and numericals on resistance combinations
  • Lens and mirror formula numericals (at least one appears every year)
  • Magnetic field due to current-carrying conductor
  • Fleming's left-hand rule and right-hand thumb rule
  • Power and energy calculation in electric circuits

Biology (25 marks section):

  • Draw and label the diagram of human heart/excretory system/reproductive system
  • Difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
  • Mendel's experiments and inheritance patterns
  • Food chain and food web questions
  • Steps of nutrition in Amoeba

Social Science - Most Repeated Topics

Social Science is a goldmine for repeated questions because the syllabus changes very little.

History:

  • Causes and effects of the Non-Cooperation Movement
  • Role of different communities in the Civil Disobedience Movement
  • Print culture and its impact on Indian society
  • Rise of nationalism in Europe (key events and dates)

Geography:

  • Types of farming in India (differences asked almost every year)
  • Classification of industries
  • Conservation of resources and sustainable development
  • Map work: identifying dams, soil types, iron ore mines

Political Science:

  • Features of federalism and how it is practiced in India
  • Power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka
  • Difference between political parties and pressure groups

Economics:

  • Sectors of the economy (primary, secondary, tertiary)
  • Self-Help Groups and their role in rural development
  • Development indicators comparison between countries

English - Patterns That Repeat

Reading Section:

  • Unseen passage with inference-based questions (factual + vocabulary)
  • Case-based passage with data interpretation

Writing Section:

  • Formal letter (complaint, enquiry, or suggestion) - appears every year
  • Analytical paragraph based on data/chart
  • Descriptive or narrative writing

Literature:

  • Character sketches from prose chapters (Mandela, Lencho, Griffin)
  • Extract-based questions from poems
  • Long answer on theme/moral of a story

Hindi - Frequently Asked Formats

  • Letter writing (formal) in prescribed format
  • Essay on current social issues
  • Grammar: Samas, Ras, Alankar identification
  • Unseen passage comprehension
  • Questions from Kshitij and Kritika textbooks on themes and character analysis

How to Use This Information

Knowing repeated questions is useful only if you act on it correctly:

  1. Do not skip NCERT. Almost every repeated question traces back to NCERT textbook content. Here is a guide on how to read NCERT effectively for board exams.
  2. Solve at least 10 previous year papers. Mark questions that appear more than 3 times. Learn how to use previous year question papers the right way.
  3. Make a separate notebook for high-frequency questions and revise it weekly
  4. Practice writing answers by hand. Board exams test your ability to present, not just recall. Check our detailed guide on how to write answers that score maximum in board exams.
  5. Focus on diagrams and graphs. Questions requiring diagrams are repeated and carry easy marks

Time-Smart Preparation

If you only have limited time, prioritize chapters that contribute the most marks year after year. In Maths, that means Algebra and Trigonometry. In Science, that means Chemical Reactions and Electricity. In Social Science, that means Economics and Political Science.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do CBSE board exams really repeat questions from previous years?

Yes, CBSE does not repeat the exact same questions word-for-word, but the underlying concepts, question types, and problem formats are repeated consistently. For example, a question on proving trigonometric identities or finding the mean from a frequency distribution table appears nearly every year. The numbers and phrasing change, but the core concept stays the same.

How many previous year papers should I solve for CBSE Class 10?

Aim for at least 10 previous year papers per subject. This gives you enough data to spot the repeating patterns. Mark every question type that appears more than 3 times across papers - those are your highest-priority topics. You can also use CBSE sample papers to practice effectively.

Which subject has the most predictable question pattern in CBSE Class 10?

Mathematics is the most predictable. Topics like AP (arithmetic progression), trigonometric identities, statistics (mean and median), and Basic Proportionality Theorem appear with near certainty every year. Social Science is also highly predictable since the syllabus rarely changes.

Should I only study repeated questions and skip the rest?

No. Repeated questions should be your priority, not your entire preparation. CBSE does introduce new question formats and occasionally asks from less-common topics. Cover the full NCERT syllabus first, then use the repeated question analysis to decide where to spend extra revision time.

Are the most repeated questions the same for CBSE sample papers and actual board papers?

CBSE sample papers are designed to match the board exam pattern, so there is significant overlap. However, actual board papers sometimes include slightly different question types. Use both sample papers and previous year papers together for the best preparation.

Students who analyze patterns instead of studying randomly almost always score higher. Tools like Padhaao can help you practice these high-frequency topics with AI-powered explanations tailored to your board and class. It covers all 17 Indian boards, so whether you are CBSE or any state board, you get focused preparation on what matters most.

Start with the most repeated topics, build confidence, and expand from there. That is how you turn board exam preparation from overwhelming to manageable.

Share this article

Want the full chapter with solved examples?

10 learning modes. Board-specific content. 3 free chapters every day.

Try it free