CBSE Class 10 exams to be conducted twice a year, second exam optional for students

In a move to bring in major changes in the conduct of exams, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced the decision to hold class 10 board exams twice a year. 

The decision is a part of the recommendations of the new National Education Policy (NEP 2020). This means Class 10 students will now be able to appear for the board exams twice a year, however, it is mandatory for the students to appear for the first exam. The decision to appear for the second exam is optional. 

"To further eliminate the 'high stakes' aspect of Board Exams, all students will be allowed to take Board Exams on up to two occasions during any given school year, one main examination and one for improvement, if desired," mentions NEP 2020. 

Students will be allowed to appear for the exam in any of the three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages. Students who have not appeared in 3 or more subjects in the first examination will not be allowed to appear in the second examination.

The board also mentioned that students who have not qualified the main examination will be allowed provisional admission in Class XI and their admission will be confirmed on the basis of the result of the second examination.  

For sports students, they will be allowed to appear in the second examination in the subjects whose exams coincided with their sports event.

However, for students in winter-bound schools', they may choose to appear in either the first or the second exams. 

Regarding the schedule of the exams, the board clarified that the main examination will begin in mid-February and the second examination will be conducted in the month of May. 

For more information regarding the syllabus and eligibility criteria, visit the official website of CBSE. 

Exams