CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Will Now Be Held Twice a Year 2026

What Exactly Changed? (Old System vs New System)

Let us compare the old system with the new one so you can clearly see what is different.

Let's Understand the Two Exams Simply

Think of it like a cricket match.

In the old system, you had one innings. If you got out early, the game was over. You had to wait until next year for another match.

In the new system, you get two innings in the same match. Your first innings is compulsory — you must play. If your score in the first innings is good enough, the match is over and your score stands. But if you want to score more, you can choose to play the second innings.

And the best part? Only your higher score from the two innings will count.

That is the new CBSE system in one simple cricket analogy.

Exam 1 — The Main Exam (February 2026)

When is it?

The first CBSE Class 10 board exam for 2026 started on February 17, 2026 with Mathematics.

Exams are held in the morning session: 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Is it compulsory?

Yes. 100% compulsory. Every single Class 10 student must appear in this exam. There are no exceptions unless a student has a genuine medical emergency or specific sports/disability-related provisions.

CBSE has clearly stated: "The first exam is NOT a mock test. It is a serious, main board examination."

What happens if I skip the first exam?

This is very important to understand.

If you skip 3 or more subjects in the first exam without a valid reason, CBSE will put you in the "Essential Repeat" category. That means you will not be allowed to appear in the second exam this year. You will have to wait until next year's February exam.

So please — take the first exam seriously.

Exam 2 — The Improvement Exam (May 2026)

When is it?

The second exam runs from May 15 to June 1, 2026.

Is it compulsory?

No. It is completely optional.

If you are happy with your February score, you do not need to appear in May at all. Your February marksheet will be your final result.

Who should appear in the second exam?

The second exam is for students who fall into these categories:

1. Improvement students — Passed the first exam but want to improve score in 1, 2, or 3 subjects

2. Compartment students — Failed in 1 or 2 subjects in the first exam and want to pass them

3. Special cases — Students who missed the first exam due to medical reasons, sports commitments, or disability-related provisions

In which subjects can I improve?

You can choose to improve your score in up to 3 subjects from this list:

• Mathematics

• Science

• Social Science

• Any Language subject (Hindi, English, etc.)

What about practical and project marks?

Good news here. If you appear in the second exam, your practical exam marks and internal assessment marks from the first exam carry forward automatically. You do not need to do them again.

What Score Goes on Your Final Marksheet?

This is the question every student asks first.

The answer is simple: the better score wins.

Here is an example to make it crystal clear:

So in this example, the student improved in Mathematics and Hindi in the May exam. Their final marksheet will show 85 in Maths and 80 in Hindi — not the lower February scores.

And for Science, even though they appeared in May and scored less (61 vs 68), CBSE will still use the better score of 68 from February.

You cannot do worse on paper because of the second exam. The system always picks your higher score.

What Are Competency-Based Questions? (Very Simple Explanation)

This is the other big change happening alongside the two-exam system.

Up to 50% of questions in the CBSE Class 10 paper are now competency-based.

You might be thinking — what does that even mean?

Simple answer: these are questions that test if you understand something, not just if you memorised it.

Old style question (memory-based): "Define Newton's First Law of Motion."

New style question (competency-based): "Riya is sitting in a bus. The bus suddenly stops. She falls forward. Using Newton's First Law, explain why this happened."

Both questions are about the same topic. But the second one tests whether you truly understand the law and can apply it to real life.

Here is the breakdown of the new paper pattern:

Important Rules Every Student Must Know

Please read this section carefully. These are the rules that can affect your exam eligibility.

Rule 1: 75% Attendance is Non-Negotiable

To appear in the CBSE board exam, you must have attended at least 75% of school days in the academic session.

If your attendance is below 75%, your school can debar you from sitting in the board exam. This applies to both the February exam and the May exam.

Rule 2: Internal Assessments Are Held Only Once

Your school projects, practicals, and internal assessments will be conducted only once — before the February exam. These marks carry forward automatically if you appear in the May exam. There will be no re-doing of practicals or projects.

Rule 3: Fees for Both Exams Are Paid Upfront

When your school submits the List of Candidates (LOC) to CBSE, fees for both exams must be paid in advance. Even if you later decide not to appear in the May exam, the fees will not be refunded.

Rule 4: No Self-Centres

Your school cannot be your own exam centre. CBSE will assign examination centres to ensure fairness and prevent any malpractice. Students will appear at a centre assigned by CBSE — not necessarily their own school.

Rule 5: Skipping 3+ Subjects in Exam 1 = No Second Chance This Year

If a student misses 3 or more subjects in the February exam without a valid documented reason, they will be classified as "Essential Repeat" and will not be eligible for the May improvement exam. They will have to repeat the February exam the following year.

Rule 6: No Additional Subjects in Second Exam

You cannot add new subjects in the second exam. You can only appear in subjects you already took in the first exam.

Who Gets Special Provisions?

CBSE has made thoughtful provisions for certain groups of students:

Why Did CBSE Make This Change? The Bigger Picture

This change did not happen suddenly. It is part of a much larger plan.

India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommended that India move away from high-pressure, single-chance, memory-based exams. The NEP said education should focus on understanding, applying, and thinking — not just remembering and writing.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called this change "a much-needed step" and said it would:

• Reduce exam stress for students

• Provide more flexibility

• Create a more joyful learning environment

• Align India with global education practices

For years, students, parents, and teachers have said that putting everything on one exam on one day is unfair. A student might fall sick. They might have a bad day. One bad performance should not determine their future.

CBSE listened. And now — from 2026 — that pressure has been cut in half.

How Does This Affect How You Should Study?

Here is the honest answer: it changes everything about how you should approach Class 10 preparation.

Before 2026: Study everything in the last 3 months. Mug up. Pass.

From 2026 onwards: You need to genuinely understand every concept because:

1. 50% of questions test application, not memory

2. You have two chances — so you can plan your revision strategically

3. Your internal assessments count and are done only once — so you cannot neglect school work

Here is the smarter study approach for Class 10 in 2026:

5 Things to Stop Worrying About (And 3 Things to Actually Focus On)

Stop worrying about:

1. "What if I have a bad day in February?" — You have May as a backup.

2. "I failed one subject — will I lose the whole year?" — No. Appear in May for that subject.

3. "My practical marks will be wasted if I try again" — No, they carry forward.

4. "The May exam will be harder" — Same syllabus, same pattern, same level.

5. "Will the second attempt look bad on my record?" — No. Only the better score appears on your marksheet.

Actually focus on:

1. Practicals and projects — Done only once. No second chance for internal assessments.

2. Understanding concepts, not memorising — 50% of questions test real understanding now.

3. Attendance — Below 75% and you cannot appear at all. No exceptions.

Quick Summary: The 7 Most Important Things About CBSE's Two-Exam System

1. Two board exams a year for Class 10 — starting from 2026 academic session

2. First exam (February) is compulsory for all students — not a mock test

3. Second exam (May) is optional — only for improvement or compartment students

4. Only the better score from either exam goes on your final marksheet

5. Improve in up to 3 subjects — Maths, Science, Social Science, or Languages

6. 50% of questions are competency-based — test understanding, not memorisation

7. Internal assessments are done only once — before the February exam, marks carry forward

Final Thought: This Change Is for You

Let us be honest — board exams are stressful.

Every Class 10 student in India knows that feeling. The months of pressure. The sleepless nights. The fear that one bad day could cost you everything.

CBSE's new two-exam system does not remove hard work. You still need to study seriously. You still need to understand your subjects. You still need to attend school regularly.

But it does remove one of the most unfair parts of the old system — the idea that your entire year, your entire effort, depends on how you feel on one particular morning in February.

Now if you are sick, or stressed, or just have a bad exam day — you have another chance. In the same year. With the same syllabus. And your better score always wins.

That is a fairer system. And you deserve a fairer system.

Study hard. Understand well. And go give it your best — twice if you need to.