Sample Paper vs Previous Year Question Paper: Which to Use & When
By Mohit · Founder & Editor, qpaper · 17 June 2026 · 4 min read
In short
A sample paper shows the current exam pattern and marking scheme set by CBSE for the upcoming exam, so it's the best guide to format. A previous year question paper is a real past exam, so it's best for seeing actual difficulty and repeated concepts. Use both: sample papers to learn the pattern, previous year papers to test depth — then generate fresh papers for unlimited practice.
Students often ask whether to solve sample papers or previous year papers. They serve different purposes — and the best preparation uses both. Here's the difference.
What a sample paper is
A CBSE sample paper (SQP) is released for the upcoming exam to demonstrate the current pattern, typology and marking scheme. It's your most accurate guide to how this year's paper will be structured — especially when the pattern has changed.
What a previous year question paper is
A previous year question paper is an actual exam that was sat in an earlier year. It shows you the real difficulty level and which concepts tend to repeat — invaluable for gauging depth, even if the exact format has since shifted.
Use both — and then generate more
Start with the latest sample paper to internalise the format, then work through a few previous year papers for difficulty and repeated concepts. The limitation of both is that there are only so many — once you've solved them, you run out. That's where generating fresh, pattern-matched papers comes in: with qpaper you can create unlimited Class 9 & 10 Maths and Science papers, with answer keys, to keep practising after the official ones are done.
Generate a CBSE sample paper free
Original questions, answer key, PDF or Word — Class 9 & 10 Maths & Science, in Hindi or English.
Generate a paperFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sample paper and a previous year question paper?
A sample paper shows the current CBSE exam pattern and marking scheme for the upcoming exam; a previous year paper is a real past exam, best for judging actual difficulty and repeated concepts.
Are sample papers enough to prepare?
They're essential for learning the pattern, but combine them with previous year papers for difficulty, and with extra generated practice papers since there are only a limited number of official ones.