CBSE Class 10 Mathematics Analysis 2026: ‘Easy but lengthy’, say students; check experts review

By Samira Vishwas On Feb 18, 2026

New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education conducted the CBSE Class 10 Mathematics exam today, February 17. As per initial reactions from students who attempted the CBSE Class 10 Maths paper, it was conceptually easy but lengthy. Experts also found the questions to be NCERT-based and largely student-friendly.

The exam was held in a single shift from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM. Over 25 lakh students appeared for both Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic papers.

CBSE Class 10 Maths Exam: Immediate reaction of students after exam

As per early reactions from students who appeared for the exam the paper was balanced but required time management. The questions were familiar and straightforward, yet the volume of the paper tested their speed and endurance.

“It wasn’t hard, but it was tricky,” emerged as a common sentiment among test-takers. This aligns with what educators had predicted—that students often lose marks not because they don’t know the syllabus, but when CBSE twists familiar questions or when small mistakes creep in during solving

A student from Noida shared her experience, “The questions were from the syllabus and nothing was out of the box. But the paper was quite lengthy. I could attempt all questions but had to really rush through the last section.”

CBSE Class 10th Maths paper analysis by expert

Analysis by Preethi Rajeev Nair, Principal – CBSE, Lancers Army Schools

Class Class Mathematics – BASIC (Review)- The Class 10 Mathematics Basic paper was overall easy to moderate in difficulty and largely student-friendly. The question paper was strictly based on NCERT, with no out-of-syllabus questions. Most questions were direct and formula-based, making it comfortable for students who had practised NCERT examples and exercises thoroughly. The MCQs were straightforward and concept-based without tricky language. Short-answer questions from topics like Arithmetic Progressions, Linear Equations, Surface Areas & Volumes, and Statistics were manageable. The long-answer and case-study questions were practical and not overly complicated. Students reported that the paper was well-balanced and that the time was sufficient to complete it comfortably. Overall, students with consistent preparation can expect good marks.

Class Class 10 Mathematics- Standard- The Class 10 Mathematics Standard paper was moderate in difficulty and slightly more application-oriented compared to the Basic paper. The paper emphasised conceptual clarity and analytical thinking. While it was fully aligned with the NCERT syllabus, several questions required deeper understanding and careful calculation. The MCQs demanded logical reasoning, and some options were closely framed, requiring attentive reading. Algebra, including Quadratic Equations and Pair of Linear Equations, had significant weightage, while Geometry and Trigonometry questions tested proper step-wise presentation. The long-answer and case-study questions involved moderate calculations, making time management important. Students felt the paper was fair but required thorough practice. Those who focused on conceptual understanding and previous year papers are likely to perform well.