CBSE Class 10 Physics Tips: ‘Prepare and plan well to boost performance’

For the 2026 Class X Board exams under Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), it’s expected that around 24 lakh students will sit for Class X. Combined with the exam structure, multiple‑choice, short‑answer, long‑answer questions along with internal assessments, this large candidate pool reflects the nationwide scale of CBSE’s Class X exams and underscores the importance of careful planning, fairness, and robust evaluation across thousands of participating schools.

The Science CBSE Class X theory exam carries 80 marks and comprises 39 compulsory questions, divided into three subject-specific sections: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. The Physics section has 10 questions worth 25 marks, including MCQs/Assertion‑Reason (1‑mark), short‑answer (2‑mark and 3‑mark), a case/practical‑application question (4‑mark), and a long-answer (5‑mark). Additionally, there is a 20‑mark internal assessment component (tests, practical, projects).

According to Ms Sarita Sharma, TGT Physics at Apeejay School, Pitampura, students need to read the instructions written on the question paper carefully and shared some important tips.

CHAPTER LIGHT: 

(i) Draw Ray diagrams with arrows.

(ii) Draw virtual rays / virtual images with dotted lines.

(iii) Follow sign conventions for the mirror formula and lens formula (better to draw a rough diagram for sign conventions before attempting numerical calculations based on it)

(iv) While attempting numerical check units of each physical quantity given in the question (all must be in the same system) and answer in the appropriate unit and sign conventions. Give concluding statements of your answer.

(v) Draw a well-labelled diagram whenever it is asked/required 

CHAPTER ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETIC EFFECT:

(i) Draw circuit diagrams with details of labelling like- terminals of battery, ammeter and voltmeter, also the direction of current.

(ii) Units of all the physical quantities to be verified before substituting in formulas and expressing the final answer with appropriate units.

(iii) While sketching the magnetic field lines pattern of different cases of current-carrying conductors, please draw a complete circuit and mark the direction of current and direction of magnetic field lines

After answering each question do read the question again to check that every part of the question is answered.

Be calm and use your reading time to strategise the order.