CBSE's Dual Board Exam Plan for Class 10: What Students Need to Know

CBSE plans to introduce dual board exams for Class 10 in 2026, offering students more flexibility and reducing exam stress. The new system allows choosing between one or two exam attempts, with the best score counting.

Big changes are coming for CBSE Class 10 students! Starting in 2026, you'll have the chance to take your board exams not once, but twice in a year. Sounds exciting, right? Let's break down what this means for you and how it could make your exam experience much better.

Two Chances to Shine

Here's the cool part - you get to choose! You can take the exam once or go for both rounds. The best part? Your highest score counts. It's like getting a second chance to improve your marks if you want it.

When Will These Exams Happen?

  • First Exam: February 17 to March 6
  • Second Exam: May 5 to May 20

Notice how the exam period is much shorter now? Instead of a whole month, each exam phase will only last about 16-18 days. This means you might have exams on back-to-back days, so get ready to study smart!

Results, Results, Results!

You won't have to wait long to know how you did:

  • First exam results: By April 20
  • Second exam results: By June 30

If you take both exams, don't worry - your best score is the one that counts on your final marksheet. It's like having a safety net!

Choosing Your Path

Here's where it gets interesting. When you register for the exams in September, you'll need to decide:

  • Do you want to take the first exam?
  • Do you want to take both exams?
  • Or do you prefer to stick with just the second exam?

If you choose both, you have a super cool option after the first exam results come out. Let's say you aced English and Math, but want to try again for Science. You can 'opt out' of the subjects you're happy with and only retake the ones you want to improve. How awesome is that?

What if I Only Want the Second Exam?

That's okay too! Just remember, if you only sign up for the May exam, that's your one and only shot. There won't be any extra chances after that.

Getting into Class 11

Worried about admissions? Don't be! If you take the first exam, you can use those results to apply for Class 11. The official 'passing documents' will come after the second exam, but your first exam scores will be available on DigiLocker for admission purposes.

One More Thing to Remember

Internal assessments (like practicals and projects) will only happen once. So make sure to give those your best effort!

Why is CBSE Doing This?

This new system follows the National Education Policy's idea of making board exams less stressful. By giving you two chances, it takes away some of the pressure of a single, high-stakes exam.

What's Next?

Right now, CBSE wants to hear what people think about this plan. They're taking feedback until March 9. After that, they'll review everything and make the final decision before the new school year starts in April.

So, what do you think about this new exam system? It sounds like it gives students more flexibility and less stress. Get ready for a whole new way of tackling your board exams in 2026!

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