The CBSE Class 10 English Sample Question Paper for the 2026-27 board exam session is the single most reliable way to understand the exact question format, difficulty level, and mark distribution you will face — far more useful than any unofficial guess paper, because it is released directly by the board that sets your actual exam.
Where to Get the Official Sample Paper
CBSE publishes the official Sample Question Paper and Marking Scheme for every subject on its academic website, cbseacademic.nic.in, usually a few months before the board exams begin. We deliberately do not re-host or mirror the sample paper PDF on this page — always download it directly from the official CBSE portal so you get the exact, unaltered, current-year document along with its official marking scheme.
Exam Pattern You Will See
In recent years, CBSE Class 10 English papers have followed a mixed format: multiple-choice questions (MCQs) worth 1 mark each, very short answer (VSA) questions, short answer (SA) questions, long answer (LA) questions, and case-study or source-based questions that test application rather than rote recall. Internal choice is usually offered in a portion of the questions. Because the exact split of marks across these sections can be revised from year to year, always confirm the current-year breakup from the official marking scheme published alongside the sample paper, rather than relying on last year’s pattern alone.
Units and Topics to Focus On
English for Class 10 is organised into these broad units — use the sample paper to check how many questions come from each, since that tells you where your revision time is best spent:
- Reading Comprehension (unseen passages, factual and discursive)
- Writing Skills (formal/informal letters, analytical paragraphs)
- Grammar (as per the current CBSE-prescribed grammar syllabus)
- Literature: First Flight (prose and poetry)
- Literature: Footprints without Feet (supplementary reader)
How to Use This Sample Paper Effectively
Do not just read through the sample paper — attempt it under exam-like conditions (same time limit, no textbook open), then check your answers against the official marking scheme, not just the final answer. The marking scheme shows exactly how CBSE examiners award partial marks for method and steps, which is often where students lose marks even when their final answer is correct. After one timed attempt, redo only the questions you got wrong, then move to the previous year’s official sample paper for a second round of practice.
Common Mistakes in the English Sample Paper
A large share of avoidable marks are lost in the Writing section from format errors — missing the date, sender/receiver details, or subject line in a formal letter, for instance — which the marking scheme specifically checks for, separate from content quality. In Literature, students often answer from memory without referring back to the specific line or stanza the question asks about, which costs marks even when the general understanding is correct. Practising the exact letter and paragraph formats from the sample paper’s marking scheme fixes most of this quickly.
Related Resources on This Site
See our CBSE Sample Papers hub for the official download links and other subjects. For the complete NCERT textbook and chapter-wise PDFs, see our Class 10 English book page. For worked chapter solutions and revision notes on other subjects, browse our NCERT Solutions section.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which two textbooks does the Class 10 English exam cover?
CBSE Class 10 English Language and Literature draws its literature questions from First Flight (the main reader) and Footprints without Feet (the supplementary reader), both published by NCERT.
2. Is grammar tested separately from the reading and writing sections?
Yes, Grammar is typically a distinct section in the CBSE English paper, testing specific structures from the current syllabus rather than open-ended writing.
3. How important is exact letter format in the Writing section?
Very — the official marking scheme allocates marks specifically for correct format (date, address, salutation, subject line, closing) separately from the content of the letter itself.
4. Where do I download the official sample paper?
From CBSE's own academic website, cbseacademic.nic.in, which releases the sample question paper and marking scheme for the current academic year.
5. Should I memorise answers for the literature questions?
No — CBSE increasingly rewards answers that reference specific lines, context, and original phrasing over generic memorised answers, so understanding the text is more valuable than rote learning.