CBSE Mathematics Advanced: the optional Class 10 paper from 2028
CBSE is ending the Basic and Standard maths papers. From the Class 10 board exams in 2028, everyone sits one common maths paper, and students who want more can also take a short, optional Mathematics Advanced paper. Here is what CBSE has said, in plain words, and two practice papers to try.
Last checked against CBSE's Secondary Curriculum 2026-27 on 4 October 2026. CBSE Math Revision is independent and not affiliated with CBSE. If anything here differs from a newer CBSE notice or from your school, follow CBSE and the school.
At a glance
- Who it affects: students in Class 9 in 2026-27, who reach Class 10 in 2027-28 and sit the board exam in 2028, and every year after them.
- Not this year's Class 10. Students in Class 10 in 2026-27 (board exam in 2027) keep the existing scheme and can still take Mathematics Basic or Standard.
- One common paper for everyone: Mathematics, 80 marks, 3 hours, plus 20 marks of internal assessment.
- Mathematics Advanced is optional: an extra board paper of 25 marks and 1 hour, with "all HOTS questions" (higher-order thinking) on additional content.
- Advanced marks are not added to the total. Score 50% or more and the marksheet records that the Advanced Level was cleared (CBSE says the wording is tentative). Below 50%, the marksheet does not mention it.
- Choose neither, one or both of Mathematics Advanced and Science Advanced.
Before and after
| Board exam 2027 (Class 10 in 2026-27) | Board exam 2028 onwards | |
|---|---|---|
| Main maths paper | Mathematics Standard (041) or Mathematics Basic (241): 80 marks, 3 hours | One common Mathematics paper: 80 marks, 3 hours |
| Internal assessment | 20 marks | 20 marks, the same for everyone |
| Extra paper | None | Mathematics Advanced (optional): 25 marks, 1 hour, all HOTS questions; marks not added to the total |
What will the Advanced paper test?
CBSE's scheme of studies describes Mathematics Advanced as "Additional Content", meant for "students who wish to study additional topics beyond the common syllabus", examined "at a higher level, based on the prescribed content". In Class 9 there is already an optional Advanced level in 2026-27, assessed by the school.
For Class 9, CBSE has published Mathematics at Advanced Level (Optional), Grade 9, with six chapters: Sets, Logarithms, Relations and Functions, Coordinate Geometry, Combinatorics, and Exploring some more Progressions.
What CBSE has not published yet (as of 4 October 2026): the Class 10 Advanced content, a sample paper, or a blueprint showing the question types, sections or choices. We also do not know the exam date or whether Class 9 Advanced topics will be examined in Class 10. We will update this page when CBSE publishes them.
Practice papers
To give students something to practise now, we have written two papers of our own. Each is 25 marks and 1 hour, with eight higher-order questions on the current Class 10 chapters and a full worked solution for every question. They are our practice material, not CBSE papers, and they are based on the Class 10 chapters because CBSE has not published the Class 10 Advanced content yet. No calculator.
Every answer was worked twice, once by hand and once by a computer check. For the common 80-mark paper, use our Class 10 chapter notes and questions and Class 10 sample papers.
Should my child take it?
It is a choice for the student, the family and the school. The marks do not change the total, so the common 80-mark paper still matters most. The Advanced paper is for students who enjoy maths and want to show they can handle harder problems. Ask the school whether it will teach the Advanced content and when it needs a decision.
Questions parents ask
Who does the change affect?
Students who are in Class 9 in 2026-27. They reach Class 10 in 2027-28 and sit the board exam in 2028, the first year with one common maths paper and the optional Mathematics Advanced paper. Students in Class 10 in 2026-27 keep the existing scheme and can still choose Mathematics Basic or Standard.
Is Mathematics Advanced compulsory?
No. CBSE calls it optional. Every student sits the common 80-mark, 3-hour Mathematics paper; Mathematics Advanced is an extra 25-mark, 1-hour paper for students who choose it.
Do the Advanced marks count towards the total?
No. CBSE says the marks in the Advanced examination will not be added to the overall aggregate or total. A student who scores 50% or more gets a line on the marksheet saying the Advanced Level has been cleared (CBSE says this wording is tentative). Below 50%, the marksheet does not mention the Advanced Level.
What will the Advanced paper test?
CBSE says it will have all HOTS (higher-order thinking) questions on additional content beyond the common syllabus. When we last checked (4 October 2026), CBSE had published the Advanced content for Class 9 only, and no Class 10 Advanced syllabus, sample paper or blueprint.
Can a student take Mathematics Advanced and Science Advanced?
Yes. CBSE says students can choose neither, one or both of Mathematics Advanced and Science Advanced.
Does the internal assessment change?
No. CBSE says the two-level structure does not apply to the 20 marks of internal assessment in Class 10 maths, so that part is the same for everyone.
Are your practice papers official CBSE papers?
No. They are our own original practice papers: 25 marks and 1 hour each, with higher-order questions on the current Class 10 chapters and full worked solutions. We will update them once CBSE publishes a Class 10 Advanced syllabus or sample paper.
CBSE's own documents
- CBSE Secondary Curriculum 2026-27, Part 1: scheme of studies (the two levels, the 25-mark Advanced paper and the marksheet rule are on its pages 16 and 17)
- CBSE: Mathematics at Advanced Level (Optional), Grade 9, 2026-27
- CBSE Class 10 Mathematics curriculum 2026-27
- CBSE curriculum 2026-27 (all subjects, for new documents)
More for parents: the two Class 10 board exams, every CBSE Class 10 maths question paper and the free parent dashboard.