CBSE Class 10 · Maths and Science
Board answers are marked in steps, not only on the final line. Here is what earns marks, where marks are lost, and three worked examples from past CBSE papers and their marking schemes.
Check one of your answers freeA Class 10 board answer worth 2, 3 or 5 marks is not marked as simply right or wrong. The marking scheme breaks it into value points, and each value point carries part of the marks. Marks are attached to specific points in your answer, not shared out equally: in one 3-mark answer, one step can carry 1 mark and another only ½. Writing the correct formula usually earns a step mark, even if a later step goes wrong.
A mistake is charged once. CBSE’s general instructions to examiners say: No marks to be deducted for the cumulative effect of an error. It should be penalized only once.
If you slip early and then work correctly from the wrong value, the later steps can still earn their marks.
Your own method counts. The same instructions say the scheme carries only suggested value points
and that the students can have their own expression and if the expression is correct, the due marks should be awarded accordingly.
Examiners are also told: Please do not hesitate to award full marks if the answer deserves it.
A Class 10 student photographs his written answer and sees exactly where he lost ½ mark.
I was shocked to see the results. My name is Swajeet and I'm studying in Class 10. You can submit your subjective answers by taking a photo. I saw that not only were my objectives corrected instantly, but even my subjective answers were graded. They were graded according to the marking scheme, and I could see where exactly I went wrong. I solved a problem without writing the formula, and for that I lost half a mark. It showed me some analysis, and it said that these are your weak topics. "Let's focus on these," and it gave me a set of questions to practise. It's a really good all-in-one solution for us.
Each is a real CBSE Class 10 board question with its marking scheme, abbreviated. The marks on the right are the scheme’s.
Maths · 2 marks · CBSE 2024, paper 30/5/1, Q21(a)
If two tangents inclined at an angle of 60° are drawn to a circle of radius 3 cm, then find the length of each tangent.
Source: CBSE Marking Scheme 2024, Mathematics (041), paper 30/5/1, Q21(a)
This scheme gives each line its own half mark. The figure and the angle are worth as much as the trigonometry, and the unit sits in the last line.
Science · 2 marks · CBSE 2024, paper 31/5/3, Q25
The linear magnification produced by a spherical mirror is + 3. Based on this statement answer the following questions : (a) What is the type of mirror ? (b) Where is the object located ? (c) List two properties of the image formed (other than the size/magnification).
Source: CBSE Marking Scheme 2024, Science (086), paper 31/5/3, Q25
Every part has its own mark, and part (c) is split again, one mark figure per property. A short answer to each part is all this question asks for.
Science · 2 marks · CBSE 2025, paper 31/1/3, Q26
Translate the following statements into chemical equations and then balance them : (a) Nitric acid reacts with calcium hydroxide to form calcium nitrate and water. (b) Sodium chloride reacts with silver nitrate to form silver chloride and sodium nitrate.
Source: CBSE Marking Scheme 2025, Science (086), paper 31/1/3, Q26
The scheme adds: Deduct half mark if equation is not balanced
One mark per equation, with a condition attached: right chemicals but unbalanced, and part of that mark goes.
LazyTopper checks a written answer step by step: photograph or upload it and see the marks for every step and where marks were lost. The first check is free without an account.
Check an answer freeQuotations in “Marks are given for steps” are from the general instructions printed with the CBSE Marking Scheme 2024, Science (086), paper 31/5/3. LazyTopper is an independent platform and is not affiliated with CBSE.
