New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has started conducting the board exams for class 10 academic exams 2026-27. It has kick-started the CBSE Class 10 board exams 2026 with Mathematics exam for both Basic and Standard. The CBSE 10th Mathematics exam 2026 for both Standard and Basic papers was held from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm on February 17.
Many students who had appeared for the written exam rated the CBSE Class 10 Maths question paper 2026 as moderate. A few students said the exam was difficult and tricky. Let's explore CBSE Class 10 Maths exam analysis 2026 along with question paper review and difficulty level.
CBSE Class 10 Maths answer key 2026 PDF
CBSE Class 10 Maths exam 2026 highlights
| Board | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Standard | Class 10 |
| Subject | Mathematics - Standard and Basic |
| Exam date | February 17, 2026 |
| Exam time | 10:30 am to 1:30 pm |
| Difficulty level | Moderate to difficult |
| Maximum marks | 80 marks |
CBSE Class 10 Maths exam analysis 2026
The CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Basic (subject code: 241) and CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Standard (subject code: 041) consists of 80 marks. It consists of MCQs, very short answer, short answer, long answer, short answer type questions, and study based questions. Students who had appeared for the written exam rated the CBSE 10th Maths question paper as moderate to difficult.
Suneeti Sharma, TGT Mathematics, Global Indian International School, Noida, said, "The Grade 10 Mathematics Board Examination paper can best be described as moderate in difficulty, with some sections leaning toward easy. The 2026 CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam featured a balanced mix of conceptual and application-based questions, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation from the NCERT textbook. The paper was conducted in both Standard and Basic formats and maintained an overall moderate level of difficulty."
"Most questions were straightforward and well within the prescribed syllabus. However, a few tricky questions appeared in the case-study and application-based sections, particularly from Trigonometry. Key focus areas included Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, aligning with recent examination trends. Overall, students who had practiced NCERT examples and exemplar problems thoroughly would have found the paper manageable and scoring," Suneeti added.
Varun Goel, Shiv Nadar School, Gurugram, said, "The Grade 10 Mathematics Standard question paper conducted by the CBSE was well-balanced and appropriately challenging. It was closely aligned with the prescribed NCERT curriculum, with nearly 70 per cent of the questions based directly on textbook exercises and familiar formats. Students who prepared thoroughly from NCERT found the paper comfortable and accessible."
When asked about the CBSE 10th Maths Basic exam, Varun Goel said, "The paper included straightforward questions across key topics, along with competency-based and case study components. However, certain questions like those from Quadratic Equations, Areas Related to Circles, and the Arithmetic Progressions case-study, were relatively lengthy and required detailed working. Overall, while the paper remained within the syllabus and effectively assessed conceptual understanding, it was comparatively more time-consuming than the Standard question paper. Students needed careful time management to complete it comfortably."
This year, the CBSE has introduced two-board format to ease pressure of students. The CBSE 10th board exams 2026 will be held in two shifts - February-March and May. However, the board has made it clear that students who appear for the first attempt will be able to appear for the second shift.