Mandatory to appear in first board exam for Class 10 students: CBSE on two board exams policy

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made it clear that Class 10 students must appear in the first board exam under the new two-exam policy. This rule applies to the 2025-26 academic session and is important for every student and parent to understand.

What is the Two-Board Exam Policy?

Under this new system, CBSE will conduct board exams for Class 10 students twice in a year. The first exam happens at the end of the academic session, and the second exam is held a few months later. The idea behind this policy is to reduce pressure on students by giving them a second chance to improve their scores if they are not happy with the first result.

What CBSE Has Clarified

CBSE has clarified that appearing in the first board exam is not optional. It is mandatory. Students who do not attempt at least three subjects in the first exam will be placed in the "essential repeat" category. This means they will have to repeat the entire year, which is a serious consequence.

The board made this clarification after receiving requests from some schools and parents saying that certain students would not be able to appear in the first exam due to personal or health reasons, and asking if they could directly appear in the second exam instead. CBSE has clearly said this is not allowed.

Why This Rule Matters

This policy ensures that students take their studies seriously throughout the year and do not rely entirely on the second exam as a backup. At the same time, students who appear in both exams will have their best score considered for the final result, which works in their favour.

What Students Should Do

If a student has a genuine medical or personal emergency that prevents them from appearing in the first exam, the school must communicate this to CBSE with proper documentation. The board will handle such cases individually.

For all other students, the advice is simple: prepare well and appear in the first exam. Use the second exam as an opportunity to improve, not as your only attempt. Starting your preparation early and staying consistent with your studies is the best way to do well in both exams.

The two-exam system is designed to support students, not add pressure. Understanding the rules clearly helps you make the most of this opportunity.

How the Two-Exam System Works

Under the new CBSE policy for 2025-26, Class 10 students will appear in two separate board examinations:

• First Board Exam – Held around November–December 2025, covering approximately half the syllabus
• Second Board Exam – Held in February–March 2026, covering the remaining syllabus

The better score from both exams will be considered for the final result. Students who miss the first exam without a valid reason will have their second exam score used as the final result, potentially impacting their overall performance.

Why CBSE Introduced This Policy

CBSE aims to reduce the pressure of a single high-stakes exam by giving students two opportunities. The board also wants to assess students' learning throughout the year rather than in one final test. This approach aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020's emphasis on continuous and comprehensive evaluation.

What Students and Parents Should Do

• Do not treat the first exam as less important — approach it with full preparation
• Check the CBSE official website (cbse.gov.in) for the latest syllabus and date sheet
• Contact your school's exam coordinator if you have questions about registration or eligibility
• Students with medical emergencies should submit a doctor's certificate to their school immediately

This policy is a significant change in how Class 10 results are determined. Every student and parent must stay informed and prepared for both examinations.