The Central Board of Secondary Education has released the practical exam schedule for Class 10 and Class 12 students appearing for the 2026 board exams. If you're a student or parent looking for clarity on the dates and guidelines, this article breaks down everything you need to know.
When Do Practical Exams Begin?
The timing depends on your school's location. Schools in winter-bound areas will conduct practical exams, project work, and internal assessments between November 6 and December 6, 2025. For all other CBSE-affiliated schools in India and abroad, these assessments start from January 1, 2026.
The theory exams for both classes will commence on February 12, 2026, giving students ample time to prepare after completing their practicals.
What Schools Need to Do
CBSE has asked schools to prepare their final candidate lists carefully. No student whose name hasn't been submitted in the online List of Candidates (LOC) can appear for practical examinations. This is a strict requirement, so schools must ensure their documentation is complete.
For Class 10 students, internal assessments will be conducted only once. Schools must fill in marks for all candidates during the specified time schedule.
The Batch System Explained
Here's something that might interest you if you're curious about how these exams work. Schools must create batches of 30 students for each subject. This helps manage the practical assessment process better and makes uploading marks more efficient.
If a school has more than 30 students in a subject, they'll conduct the practical examinations in two or three sessions throughout the day. Each batch of 30 students will be assessed together in one session. This approach ensures fairness and proper evaluation for everyone.
External Examiners and Observers
Schools must contact their regional CBSE offices to arrange for external examiners and observers. The board wants to make sure practical examinations, project work, and internal assessments are completed on time with proper oversight.
What If a Student Misses Their Exam?
Life happens, and CBSE understands this. If a student can't attend their practical exam or project assessment on the scheduled day, the school may re-conduct it. But here's the catch: it must happen within the officially notified schedule. The board won't accept any requests for extensions or special permissions beyond these dates.
The marking system is clear. If a student is absent for their practical examination, project, or internal assessment, schools should mark them as "Absent" in the online system. However, if the exam will be held on a different date within the approved schedule, the student should be marked as "Re-scheduled" instead. Schools can only re-conduct exams for students marked as "Re-scheduled" and strictly within the prescribed timeframe.
Quick Reference: Complete Schedule
Here's the full schedule at a glance:
- Winter-bound schools: Practical exams, project work, and internal assessments from November 6 to December 6, 2025
- All other CBSE schools: Practical exams, project work, and internal assessments from January 1, 2026
- Theory exams: Starting February 12, 2026 for all students
Why This Matters
Practical exams carry weight in your final board results. They test your hands-on understanding of subjects, not just your ability to memorize theory. Getting familiar with the schedule helps you plan your preparation better.
For students in winter-bound areas, the practical exams come earlier. This means you need to start preparing now. For others, you have a bit more time, but don't let that make you complacent.
Tips for Students
Start reviewing your practical work early. Go through your experiments, projects, or assignments multiple times. Practice speaking about your work clearly because external examiners will ask questions.
Make sure you understand the concepts behind each practical. Don't just memorize steps. Examiners appreciate students who can explain why they're doing something, not just what they're doing.
Keep your practical files organized and up to date. Your project work should be complete well before the assessment dates. Last-minute rushing rarely produces good results.
If you're unsure about anything, ask your teachers. They know the examination pattern and can guide you on what examiners typically look for.
A Word for Parents
Help your children stay organized during this period. Make sure they attend all practical sessions on time. A simple absence could mean complications with rescheduling or even missing the assessment window entirely.
Encourage regular practice at home if possible. For subjects like science, reviewing concepts and procedures at home reinforces what they learn in school labs.
The practical exams are just one part of the board exam journey. With proper planning and preparation, students can handle them confidently. Know your dates, understand the guidelines, and start preparing early. The rest will follow.
