CBSE Class 10 Science PYQ. Physics. Chemistry. Biology. Free.
Science is three subjects in one paper — and each needs a different approach. Previous year questions reveal exactly which chapter types, question formats, and mark allocations appear in each section. Here's 10 years of Class 10 Science PYQs and how to use them properly.
CBSE Class 10 Science PYQs — how to master Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
Why Science needs three different practice strategies
CBSE Class 10 Science is marked as a single paper but tested across three distinct subject areas. Physics questions are largely numerical and application-based — working through past numericals is the primary prep strategy. Chemistry questions test equation writing, reaction identification, and property-based reasoning. Biology is diagram-heavy and label-based.
Students who study all three the same way — reading and re-reading notes — underperform because they haven't practised the specific skill each section tests. Previous year questions, worked by section, close this gap.
What 10 years of Science PYQs reveal by section
Physics (Electricity, Light, Magnetic Effects): Electricity numericals — Ohm's Law, series/parallel resistance, power calculations — appear in every paper without exception. They are worth 5–8 marks and structurally identical year after year. Light: mirror and lens numerical problems appear every year; ray diagrams are tested consistently.
Chemistry (Acids/Bases, Carbon Compounds, Metals and Non-Metals): Reaction equations for acid-base neutralisation, displacement reactions, and combustion are perennial. Carbon Compounds: IUPAC nomenclature and functional group identification appear consistently. Biology: Life Processes (digestion, excretion, circulation) and Reproduction are the highest-weight chapters and appear every year with labelled diagram questions.
How to practise Physics numericals from PYQs
Collect all Electricity numericals from 2015–2025 and solve them chapter-by-chapter. You will see that the question structure repeats: given Resistance, Voltage, find Current — or given Power, Voltage, find Resistance. The numbers change; the approach doesn't. Once you recognise this, you can solve any variant in under 2 minutes.
Always show the formula first, then substitute values, then calculate. CBSE marking schemes allocate marks to each step — formula (1 mark), substitution (1 mark), correct answer (1 mark) is a common 3-mark structure for numericals.
How to use the marking scheme for Biology diagrams
Biology diagrams in CBSE Class 10 are scored against a marking scheme that specifies which labels are required. Unlabelled diagrams, or diagrams missing specific labels, lose marks even if the drawing is accurate.
Practise drawing the nephron, the human heart, the digestive system, and the flower structure with labels — not from memory initially, but against the official marking scheme. The required labels are consistent across years. Once you know which labels CBSE expects, diagram questions become entirely predictable.
Using Science PYQs on ClearSteps
ClearSteps has all CBSE Class 10 Science previous year papers from 2015–2025, with official marking schemes and subject-section filters. Pull all Physics Electricity questions across 10 years, or all Biology Reproduction questions — and practise them as a targeted set.
The AI pattern analysis shows which chapters carry the most marks per section and year. The test builder lets you create a Physics-only or Biology-only timed test in 30 seconds. 14-day free trial with code TOPPER10.
Ready to get started? Try ClearSteps free for 14 days.
Start my 14-day free trialThree tools used every day till the boards
Drills the chapters that matter
Questions weighted to the real CBSE exam pattern — not last year's book. Practise what actually shows up in the paper.
Build a fresh test in 30 seconds
Pick subject, chapters, marks, difficulty. An exam-style timed paper ready to go. Unlimited.
Every PYQ, decoded
Previous year papers 2015–2025, all subjects, with official marking schemes and an AI pattern read.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free CBSE Class 10 Science PYQ?
CBSE Class 10 Science previous year questions are available free on ClearSteps — 2015 to 2025, with official marking schemes and section-wise filters for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Individual full papers are also on cbse.gov.in.
Which chapters appear most in CBSE Class 10 Science PYQ?
Physics: Electricity (Ohm's Law, circuits, power), Light (mirrors, lenses, ray diagrams), and Magnetic Effects are in every paper. Chemistry: Acids and Bases, Metals and Non-Metals, and Carbon Compounds appear consistently. Biology: Life Processes and Reproduction are the highest-weight chapters tested every year.
How do I prepare for CBSE Class 10 Science numericals?
Collect all numericals from the same chapter across 10 years and solve them in sequence. Electricity numericals follow the same 3–4 structural patterns regardless of the specific values. After 20 questions from one chapter, the approach becomes automatic. Always write formula first, then substitute, then calculate — CBSE marking schemes award step marks.
Are diagram questions important in CBSE Class 10 Science?
Very — diagram questions carry 3–5 marks per instance and the same diagrams recur every year. The nephron, human heart, digestive system, refraction through a prism, and the flower structure have been tested in most papers from 2015–2025. Labels matter: CBSE marking schemes specify exactly which labels are required for full marks.
How many years of Science PYQ should I solve for Class 10?
For format practice: the most recent 3 years (2023–2025) to understand the current competency-based format. For chapter-pattern practice: pull all numericals and diagram questions from a single chapter across all 10 years and work through them as a set. Chapter-wise repetition builds pattern recognition faster than solving full papers in order.
Related guides
10 years of CBSE Class 10 Science PYQs — Physics, Chemistry, Biology.
All Science previous year questions, official marking schemes, chapter-wise timed practice. 14 days free, no card needed.
No card needed · Activate on WhatsApp in 30 seconds