CBSE Physics Class 10 Question Papers
CBSE Physics Class 10 Question Papers

The All India Secondary School Examination or the class 10 Board Exam is conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The class 10 Board Exams are often considered for admission into junior colleges or schools for higher secondary education. The exam also is a deciding factor for students to get into the stream they want to pursue in their higher studies.

Science is one of the core subjects in class 10. Till grade 10, CBSE offers Science as a single subject that includes the disciplines of Science – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

Physics, being one of the disciplines, is considered a significant subject to score high marks in class 10 Science. Class 10 students must understand the exam paper pattern, the syllabus, and the weightage of different topics in class 10 Physics to prepare in a planned manner.

In this article, we come with an overview of the CBSE Physics Class 10 Question Papers to give you a clear understanding of the Science question paper pattern, weightage of Physics topics, Physics syllabus, and more. With an insight into the CBSE Physics Class 10 question papers, you can prepare for the CBSE Board exam in a well-planned manner.

We will also compare the pattern of CBSE Physics Class 10 previous year question papers with that of the academic year 2021-2022.

CBSE Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021

 You must know the pattern of CBSE Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021 to prepare for your exams in a planned mannerThough there are changes in the exam pattern as per the Special scheme of assessment, the NCERT Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021 will help you gauge your understanding and preparedness for the exam.

Examination Pattern of Class X CBSE Physics

CBSE offers Science as a single subject that includes the disciplines of Science – Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Hence, the question paper is a mixture of questions from all the disciplines as per the mark distribution.

 TypeNumber of questionsMarks per questionMarks
Section A                    Very short answers16116
 MCQs ( Source-based questions)4416
Section BShort answers6212
Section CShort answers7321
Section DLong answers3515
Total   80

The NCERT Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021 included assorted questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as per the weightage of subjects. It was a mixture of subjective and objective questions. However, for the academic year-2021-22, the CBSE has developed a Special scheme of assessments for grade X.

The CBSE Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021 has one-mark questions for 32 marks. This includes very short answers and MCQs. There is an internal choice for source-based questions for MCQs, where you can attempt four out of 5 based on each source.

There are 6 two-mark questions, 7 three-mark questions, and 3 five-mark questions from all the three disciplines of Science together, as per the distribution of marks.

CBSE Class X Physics Assessment Pattern – Academic Year 2021-22

The ongoing COVID 19 pandemic has brought in a lot of changes in the field of education. Considering the uncertainty about conducting exams due to the pandemic, the CBSE has made a few changes in the assessment pattern. The CBSE board has come up with a unique assessment scheme for the academic year 2021-22.

The following changes are introduced in consideration of the ongoing pandemic.

  • The academic session is divided into two terms.
  • Each term has roughly 50% of the syllabus to be assessed.
  • The board has issued guidelines to the schools for undertaking practical/ internal assessment and project work.

Distribution of marks-  Physics Class X 2021-2022

Class X

TermUnit noUnit nameChapter NoChapter nameMarks distribution
Term I  IIINatural Phenomena10Light – Reflection and Refraction  14 marks
 11The human eye and colorful world
  Term II  IVEffects of Current12Electricity12 marks
13Magnetic effects of current
Total    26 marks

CBSE Physics Class 10 topics have a weightage of 32.5 % in the Science theory part.

The subtopics included for each topic are as follows. The topics from units III and IV comprise 26 marks out of 80 in the theory part.

Special Scheme of Assessment for 2021-22

Term 1 Examinations

  • The board will organize the Term 1 exam with a flexible schedule between November – December 2021 on the Term 1 syllabus only.
  • The question paper will include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with case-based questions and assertion and reasoning questions.
  • The duration of the exam would be 1 ½ hours ( 90 minutes).
  • Marks of the Term 1 exam will be included in the final score of students.

 Term 2 Examinations

  • At the end of term 2, the board will organize the year-end exam on the Term 2 syllabus.
  • The examination will be conducted in March / April 2022 at centers prescribed by the board.
  • The question paper will include both subjective and objective type questions covering case-based/ open-ended questions ( long and short answers)
  • The duration of the exam will be 2 hours.
  • If the pandemic situation does not permit a descriptive exam, the board will conduct an MCQ-based exam for 1 ½ hours ( 90 minutes) in the second term.

 Approach to solve CBSE class 10 Physics paper

  • MCQs -As per the unique scheme of assessment in 2021-2022, MCQs are of great importance. Hence, read the NCERT textbook carefully and practice the question bank from every topic. Understand the concept and learn rather than rote learning.
  • The MCQs include case study-based questions and assertion and reasoning questions. Read the question carefully and understand the question well before answering. Sometimes, the options may be very close. Conceptual understanding is crucial for answering MCQs correctly.
  • Very short/short answers – Very short/short answers include 1 to 3 marks questions. Learn the essential terms and definitions. Remember the formulae and work out a lot of practice problems. You can solve CBSE Physics Class 10 Question Papers to check your level of preparedness for the exam. Give suitable examples wherever required.
  • Long answers – Long answerscarry 5 marks each. Present the answers precisely in points and underline the keywords. Include relevant diagrams. Make them neat and well-labeled.
  • NCERT Textbooks – The question paper is based on NCERT textbooks. Hence read the chapters from the NCERT textbook thoroughly and make notes. Take reference from additional sources for more practice.
  • Be updated – The CBSE may change the syllabus and exam pattern due to the prevailing uncertain situation. Check the official website of CBSE and be updated with the changes.

Frequently Asked Questions of Class X CBSE Physics

1. How are scores of class 10 Science internal assessment given?

Internal Assessments are conducted for 10 marks for each term.

  • Periodic Assessments – 03 marks
  • Multiple Assessments – 02 marks
  • Subject Enrichment (Practical Work) – 03 marks
  • Portfolio – 02 marks

2. Is there a choice in the CBSE class 10 Physics question paper?

The CBSE Physics Class 10 Previous Year Question Papers 2021  did not have an overall choice. But internal choices were provided in some questions.

3. When and where would the Board exam 2022 be held?

This Board examination 2022 would be held around March-April 2022 at the examination centers fixed by the Board.