CBSE Will Conduct Class 10 Board Exams Twice a Year

Are you a student or parent wondering about the new CBSE Class 10 exam system? Big changes are coming! Starting in 2026, students will be able to appear for board exams twice a year. This new policy is designed to reduce exam stress and give everyone a fair chance to improve their scores.

Let’s break down everything you need to know in simple words.

What’s Changing in CBSE Class 10 Exams?

The biggest update is that students can now take the board exam two times in one academic year. Here’s how it works:

• First Exam: Mandatory for all students, held in mid-February.
  
• Second Exam: Optional, held in May for those who want to improve their marks or need to clear up to three subjects.
  

Why This Change?

The new system is meant to:

• Reduce exam pressure: No more “one chance only” stress.
  
• Give more opportunities: Students can improve their marks without waiting a whole year.
  
• Support continuous learning: Focus is on learning, not just passing an exam.
  

Key Highlights of the New Exam Pattern

Who Can Take the Second Exam?

Not everyone needs to take the second exam. Here’s who can:

• Students who want to improve their marks
  
• Students who did not pass up to three subjects
  
• Special cases like:
  
  • Sportspersons with event clashes
    
  • Students from winter-bound schools
    
  • Students with special needs
    

How Does the New CBSE Exam System Benefit Students?

1. Less Stress, More Confidence

• Students won’t worry about “one bad day” ruining their year.
  
• More chances mean less pressure to perform perfectly in one go.
  

2. Better Results

• If you’re not happy with your first score, you can try again.
  
• No need to wait a whole year to improve.
  

3. Fair for All

• Special provisions for students with genuine needs.
  
• Everyone gets an equal opportunity to succeed.
  

Step-by-Step: How the Two-Exam System Works

1. Prepare for the First Exam (February)
   
   • All students must appear.
     
   • Internal assessment is done before this exam.
     
2. Check Your Results (April)
   
   • If you’re happy with your marks, you’re done!
     
   • If not, or if you need to clear subjects, move to the next step.
     
3. Register for the Second Exam (May)
   
   • Only if you want to improve or need to clear up to three subjects.
     
4. Get Your Final Results (June)
   
   • Your best scores from both attempts will be counted.
     

What’s Next for CBSE Exams?

CBSE is also thinking about more changes in the future, such as:

• Modular exams (smaller, more frequent tests)
  
• Dual-level papers (basic and advanced)
  
• A mix of objective and descriptive questions
  

These changes aim to make exams more flexible and student-friendly.