CBSE’s New Two Board Exam System: What Students and Parents Need to Know

CBSE’s New Two Board Exam System

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is set to introduce a new board exam system for Class 10 and 12 from 2026, based on the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy aims to make exams less stressful, more flexible, and focused on real learning instead of memorization.

Why is CBSE Changing the Board Exam System?

For years, students have faced extreme pressure to perform well in board exams, leading to a culture of coaching classes and rote learning. The NEP 2020 suggests major reforms in assessments to reduce stress and encourage real understanding. CBSE is implementing these reforms step by step.

Key Changes in CBSE Board Exams (From 2026 Onwards)

1. Two Board Exams in a Year

  • Students will have two chances to take the board exams every year.
  • The first exam will be the main one, and the second exam is for students who want to improve their scores.
  • The better score between the two attempts will be considered.
  • This will reduce the high-stakes pressure of a single board exam.

2. Exams Will Be Easier and More Skill-Based

  • Board exams will focus on core skills and understanding rather than just memorizing textbooks.
  • Students attending school regularly should be able to pass without extra coaching.
  • Subjects like Mathematics may be offered at two difficulty levels to suit different students.
  • Some subjects may have two sections:
    • Objective type (MCQs)
    • Descriptive type (written answers)

3. Flexible Exam Scheduling

  • Exams will begin on the first Tuesday after February 15 each year.
  • Subjects like Science, Maths, Social Science, Hindi, and English will have fixed exam dates.
  • Other subjects, like Regional and Foreign Languages, will be held on a single day.
  • Some optional subjects (like Data Science) may have exams on multiple days, but students won’t be able to choose their exam date—CBSE will assign it based on a formula.

4. Mark Sheet and Results

  • No passing certificate will be issued after the first exam—only digital results will be available in DigiLocker.
  • The final mark sheet and passing certificate will be given only after the second exam (if attempted).
  • The mark sheet will show:
    • Marks from both attempts
    • Marks in practicals/internal assessments
    • The better score between the two attempts

5. Practical Exams Will Be Held Only Once

  • Practical/internal assessments will not be repeated for the second exam.
  • The practical marks from the first exam will be carried forward.

6. Exam Centers and Fees

  • Exam centers will be the same for both the first and second exams.
  • Schools will be evaluated before being assigned as exam centers.
  • There will be no “self-centers”—students cannot take exams in their own school.
  • Exam fees will be collected upfront for both exams and will not be refunded.

7. Admission and Improvement Category

  • Students who fail in 1 to 5 subjects in the first exam will be placed in the “Improvement Category” and can reappear in the second exam.
  • Students who pass the first exam can still choose to reappear for improvement in the second exam.
  • Students who fail the first exam can still take admission in Class 11, but final admission will depend on their second exam results.
  • No additional subjects can be added after passing Class 10.

8. No Special Exams Will Be Conducted

  • There will be no special/supplementary exams beyond the two board exams.
  • If a student misses both exams, they must take the exam the next year with the new syllabus.

9. Merit Certificates and Revaluation

  • Merit certificates will be given after the second exam results.
  • CBSE will review the system of verification, photocopy requests, and revaluation after the new system is implemented.

10. Policy Review and Future Changes

  • CBSE will review the feedback and make necessary changes before finalizing the policy.
  • Examination rules (Bye-Laws) will be updated accordingly.

What This Means for Students and Parents

  1. Less Stress, More Opportunities:
    • Students won’t have to worry about a single high-stakes exam.
    • They can try again in the same year if they are not satisfied with their performance.
  2. Less Dependence on Coaching Classes:
    • Since exams will focus on understanding concepts, students will not need extra coaching.
  3. Better Exam Planning:
    • Students should prepare well for the first exam, so they have the second attempt as a backup if needed.
  4. No Last-Minute Subject Changes:
    • Once subjects are selected and submitted in September, no changes will be allowed, except for the second exam.
  5. Practical Marks Are Important:
    • Since practical/internal assessment marks will not be repeated, students must do well in them during the first exam itself.

Conclusion

This new CBSE exam system is a major step towards reducing stress and making assessments more student-friendly. By allowing two board exams per year, students will have more flexibility and opportunities to improve their scores. However, students must still prepare well, as the syllabus will remain the same for both exams.

With proper planning and understanding, this new system will help students focus on real learning instead of just exam pressure.