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CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams Explained for Parents
Under the CBSE Class 10 two board exams scheme, every student must sit the first (main) board exam in February–March. The second exam in May is optional: students who have passed can use it to improve their marks in up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages, and students placed in "Compartment" can use it to clear a subject. For regular students, CBSE uses the better of the two performances in the final result.
This guide explains the scheme strictly from CBSE's own documents: the press release of 25 June 2025 that set out the scheme, the clarification notification of 14 February 2026, the press release on the 2026 second-exam results, and the List of Candidates (LOC) circular for the 2027 exams. Where CBSE has not published a detail, we say so. It is part of our Class 10 home tutors in Gurgaon series for CBSE and ICSE families.
The two board exams at a glance
CBSE decided to hold two board examinations for Class 10 from the 2026 exams, following paragraphs 4.37 and 4.38 of the National Education Policy 2020, which speak of "one main examination and one for improvement, if desired". CBSE's press release of 25 June 2025 sets out the scheme, and CBSE has confirmed in its LOC circular of 17 September 2026 that the same Two Board Policy applies to the 2027 exams.
| Point | First (main) board exam | Second board exam |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory? | Yes, for all students | No, optional |
| When | From mid-February (the 2027 LOC circular says February–March) | May |
| Who sits it | Every Class 10 student, plus second-chance compartment, essential repeat and improvement candidates from earlier years | Eligible students only: improvement in up to 3 main subjects, first/third chance compartment, compartment plus improvement, and improvement for students passed by replacing a subject |
| Subjects | All subjects in the scheme of studies | For improvement: up to three of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages |
| Syllabus | Full syllabus for the year | Full syllabus for the year |
| Internal assessment | Done once, before the main exam | Not repeated |
| Result (as planned) | April | June |
Sources: CBSE press release on two board examinations in Class X, 25 June 2025; CBSE Notification No. 31 of 14 February 2026; CBSE LOC circular for the 2026–27 main examinations (dated 17 September 2026, posted 21 September 2026). Always check cbse.gov.in for the latest version.
The first (main) exam: compulsory for everyone
The first board exam is the main exam, and it is compulsory. CBSE's press release says, in its first general condition: "It is mandatory for all the students to appear in the first Board examination." The 2027 LOC circular repeats this: the first board examination "to be conducted during February–March is mandatory for all candidates of Class X".
Who is eligible for the first exam
According to the 25 June 2025 press release, the first exam is for:
- fresh Class 10 students;
- second-chance compartment candidates;
- previous year's "essential repeat" candidates;
- improvement-of-performance candidates.
Why the first exam matters so much
Three rules make the first exam the one to prepare for properly:
- Missing three or more subjects closes the second exam. If a student does not appear in three or more subjects in the first exam, he or she is not allowed to take the second exam. Such students are placed in the "Essential Repeat" category and can sit the exam only in the next year's main examination in February.
- No excuses route. CBSE's Notification No. 31 of 14 February 2026 was issued because families asked whether a child who could not sit the first exam might use the second instead. CBSE's answer was clear: "because of any reason if a student is not able to appear in 3 or more subjects in main examination, s/he cannot be permitted to appear in 2nd Board Examination as per policy of the Board." It added that such requests would not be responded to.
- The first result can be used for Class 11 admission. The press release says the main exam performance will be made available in DigiLocker and can be used for admission to Class 11 if the student does not wish to take the second exam for improvement.
From our tutors: some families hear "two chances" and plan to treat February as a practice run. We advise against it. The second exam is limited to three subjects for improvement, it comes only a few weeks after the first results, and a student who misses three or more papers in February loses the second chance altogether. We plan every Class 10 student's year as if February is the only exam, and treat May as a safety net.
The second exam: who can take it, and for what
The second exam is optional and is held in May. According to CBSE's press release of 25 June 2025 and Notification No. 31, eligibility is limited to these categories:
| Category | What it means (from CBSE's wording) |
|---|---|
| Improvement, up to 3 main subjects | Passed and eligible students may try to improve their performance in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages. The 2027 LOC circular describes these as candidates who appeared in the main examination of the same year. |
| First/third chance compartment | Students whose first-exam result is "Compartment" may appear in the second exam under the compartment category. The LOC circular includes candidates placed in compartment this year or for the previous year's examination. |
| Compartment + improvement | Students in compartment who also want to improve a subject other than the compartment subject. |
| Improvement after subject replacement | Students who passed because a failed subject was replaced (for example, by a passed skill subject) may appear for improvement. |
Who cannot take the second exam
- Students who did not appear in three or more subjects in the first exam (they become "Essential Repeat").
- Students who want to add a new subject: CBSE says "Additional Subject will not be permitted after passing class X, students will not be allowed in stand-alone subjects."
- New names: the press release says a separate LOC is filled for the second exam, but no new name will be added to it.
Can a student change subjects between the two exams?
Generally no. The press release says subject change from the first to the second exam will not be allowed, except as permitted under policy. The 2027 LOC circular gives the one example: "Mathematics Standard to Mathematics Basic and vice versa." It also tells schools to inform students that the same subjects filled in the main LOC can be opted for in the second exam. Our guide on Class 10 Maths Standard vs Basic explains that choice in detail.
How registration for the second exam works
The school fills a separate List of Candidates for the second exam after the first exam is over. In 2026, CBSE issued its LOC circulars for the second exam on 17 March and 15 April 2026, and a separate notice for private candidates on 15 April 2026. Parents do not register directly for a regular student; the school does it, so tell the school early if your child intends to appear.
Syllabus, subjects and internal assessment
- Full syllabus in both exams. The press release (section vi) says both examinations will be conducted on the full syllabus prescribed for the year, and the scheme of studies and scheme of examinations will remain the same. The 2027 LOC circular says the same. There is no "half syllabus" second exam.
- Same paper design. CBSE's notification of 21 September 2026 on the 2026–27 sample question papers says there is no change in the question paper design and assessment pattern for 2026–27. The second exam is therefore a full paper of the same pattern, not a short test.
- Internal assessment once. Internal assessment is conducted only once, before the main exam. In most subjects that is 20 marks alongside an 80-mark theory paper, as set out in CBSE's 2026–27 curriculum. The second exam improves only the board-exam component; nothing in CBSE's documents allows internal assessment to be redone.
- Subjects on the second-exam date sheet. The 2026 second-exam date sheet (issued 23 April 2026) listed Mathematics Standard and Basic, English, Science, Social Science, Hindi and a long list of other languages, and a few other subjects such as Painting, Home Science, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence. Most papers ran 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.
For what the full syllabus looks like in Maths, see our CBSE Class 10 Maths syllabus 2026–27 guide.
How results work: the better performance counts
CBSE's press release of 18 July 2026 states: "for regular students of the 2026, the better of the two performances is considered for preparing the final result." So a lower mark in the second exam does not pull your child's result down.
What the 25 June 2025 scheme says about results
- Results of all students are declared according to the Examination Bye-laws.
- The first exam result is planned for April, and the second exam result for June.
- The main-exam performance is made available in DigiLocker and can be used for Class 11 admission if the student does not take the second exam.
- Passing documents for all students are issued after the second exam result, and merit certificates are also issued only after the second exam.
- Photocopy, verification and re-evaluation for both the main and second exam are available only after the second exam results are declared.
- Students who do not pass the main exam get provisional admission to Class 11, which is confirmed on the basis of the second exam result.
Marksheet and percentage
CBSE's LOC circular reminds schools that the Board issues a mark sheet-cum-certificate showing marks in each subject separately, and that "No aggregate score/percentage is mentioned by the Board." How a school or college converts the marks into a percentage is its own rule.
Timeline table for the 2027 exams
CBSE had not published the 2027 Class 10 date sheet when we checked on 29 September 2026. The table below uses the months stated in CBSE's scheme and LOC circular, with the actual 2026 dates alongside for reference. Treat the 2027 column as expected months, not dates.
| Step | 2026 (what actually happened) | 2027 (what CBSE's documents say) | What families should do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main exam LOC (registration by school) | Filled by schools before the main exam | LOC circular issued September 2026; filled for all Class 10 students compulsorily | Check your child's name, date of birth and subjects, including Maths Standard or Basic, on the school's checklist |
| Internal assessment | Before the main exam | Once, before the main exam | Keep portfolio, lab activities and school tests on track |
| First (main) board exam | 17 February to 11 March 2026 | From mid-February; February–March | Full preparation in all subjects; do not miss papers |
| Second exam LOC | Circulars of 17 March and 15 April 2026 | Filled after the first exam is over | Decide on improvement subjects quickly and tell the school |
| First exam result | April (the month in CBSE's scheme) | Planned for April | Compare marks with Class 11 needs; use the decision guide below |
| Second board exam | 15 to 21 May 2026 | May | Revise only the chosen subjects, on the full syllabus |
| Second exam result | 18 July 2026 | Planned for June (it was July in 2026) | Check DigiLocker; the better performance counts |
| Photocopy, verification, re-evaluation | CBSE notice of 5 August 2026 covered both exams | Only after second exam results | Watch for CBSE's post-result notice and deadlines |
Two practical points follow. First, the gap between the first result and the second exam is short, so improvement revision should really begin as soon as the February papers end, not after the result. Second, the Class 11 session in most schools starts before the second exam result, which is why CBSE allows provisional admission.
Planning the Class 10 year around the February board exam, with May as a back-up? Book a free demo class. Our tutor will check where your child stands in Maths and Science and suggest a realistic plan to February.
Book a Free Class 10 Demo +91 92204 75088What happened in 2026, the first year
CBSE's press release of 18 July 2026, declaring the second exam results, gives the first official picture of how the scheme worked. The main exam ran from 17 February to 11 March 2026 and the second exam from 15 to 21 May 2026.
| Second Board Examination 2026 | Number |
|---|---|
| Candidates registered | 6,64,027 |
| Candidates who appeared | 6,63,777 |
| Appeared for improvement | 5,13,955 |
| Improved their performance over the main exam | 3,08,095 (59.95%) |
| Appeared in the compartment category | 1,49,822 |
| Passed in the compartment category | 78,503 (52.40%; CBSE notes the 2025 compartment pass percentage was 48.68%) |
| Overall pass percentage after combining main and second exams | 96.78% |
What this tells parents, in plain terms:
- The second exam is widely used. Over five lakh students sat it for improvement.
- Improvement is not automatic. According to CBSE's figures, about six in ten improvement candidates improved their performance over the main exam. The remaining four in ten did not, which is why the "better performance counts" rule matters.
- The result came later than planned. The scheme says June; the 2026 second-exam result was declared on 18 July 2026. Plan Class 11 admissions on the basis of the April result and treat any improvement as a bonus.
The table is laid out from the press release's statistics section; the PDF's columns are slightly misaligned, and we matched each figure to its row by checking the percentages (for example, 3,08,095 ÷ 5,13,955 = 59.95%). CBSE published the 2026 second-exam question papers on its question paper page, which our CBSE Class 10 previous year papers guide covers.
Decision guide: should your child take the second exam?
CBSE's rules decide who may take the second exam; families decide whether it is worth it. After the first result, work through these questions in order.
Step 1: Is your child in compartment?
If yes, the second exam is the fastest route to clearing the subject, and Class 11 admission stays provisional until that result. Focus all revision on that subject. If there is time, CBSE also allows compartment plus improvement in another subject.
Step 2: Does a mark block a Class 11 plan?
Some schools set subject-wise cut-offs for Class 11 streams. If a Maths or Science mark is below what your child's school asks for the stream you want, improvement in that subject is worth serious thought. Check the school's own admission rules; CBSE does not set them.
Step 3: Was one paper clearly below your child's level?
Illness, a bad day or a time-management slip in one paper is the classic case for improvement. A student who was consistent across mock tests and school exams but dropped marks in one board paper has the best chance of gaining.
Step 4: What will it cost in time?
The second exam is on the full syllabus with the same paper design. Revising three subjects in the weeks between March and May competes with Class 11 bridge work, holidays and entrance-exam foundations. One subject is manageable for most students; three is a heavy load.
| Situation after the April result | Our suggestion |
|---|---|
| Compartment in one subject | Take the second exam in that subject; this is what it is for |
| Passed, but below the school's Class 11 cut-off in one subject | Strongly consider improvement in that subject |
| One paper well below mock-test level, for a clear reason | Improvement is worth it; revise that subject fully |
| Marks close to mock-test level in all subjects | Usually not worth it; start Class 11 preparation instead |
| Wants to improve three subjects "just in case" | Pick the one or two with the clearest gap |
| Chose Maths Basic but now wants Maths in Class 11 | Read the Class 11 rules in our Standard vs Basic guide before deciding; the second exam allows a Basic to Standard change under policy |
From our tutors: the students who gain most from the second exam usually knew the syllabus well but lost marks to presentation: steps missing in Maths, unlabelled diagrams in Science, or running out of time. For them, six weeks of timed papers and marking-scheme practice fixes the problem. A student who was underprepared across the syllabus rarely closes the gap in six weeks, and is better served by starting Class 11 strongly.
A simple six-week improvement plan
- Week 1 (straight after the last February paper): list chapters where marks were lost, from memory of the paper and school pre-board results.
- Weeks 2–3: re-learn weak chapters; solve NCERT and exemplar questions chapter by chapter.
- Weeks 4–5: one full timed paper every two or three days, marked against CBSE's marking scheme. Our guide to using CBSE Class 10 sample papers explains how.
- Week 6: revise formulae, definitions and diagrams; rest before the paper.
For the full year before February, see our CBSE Class 10 month-by-month plan.
Special cases: sports, winter-bound schools and CWSN
The 25 June 2025 press release includes a short "scheme for special categories":
- Sports students will be allowed to appear in the second exam in subjects whose exams clash with their sports events.
- Students of winter-bound schools may choose to appear in either the first or the second exam in the proposed subjects.
- Children with special needs (CWSN): the facilities given to CWSN candidates will also be given in the second exam.
These are the words of the scheme; the detailed process for each case runs through the school and CBSE's Regional Office. Gurgaon schools are not winter-bound, so that option will not normally apply to students here.
What CBSE has not confirmed
We found no official CBSE statement on the following points as of 29 September 2026, so we do not give an answer to them:
- Exact 2027 dates. The 2027 date sheets for the first and second exams were not published.
- Second exam fee. Not covered in the documents we checked.
- How "better performance" is applied, subject by subject or overall. The 18 July 2026 press release says only that "the better of the two performances is considered".
- Whether a student can improve in a skill subject or the optional seventh subject. The improvement rule names Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages.
- How colleges or Class 11 admission committees treat second-exam marks. That is up to each school or institution.
If you read a firm answer to any of these on social media, check it against cbse.gov.in. CBSE's own press release asks students and parents "not to rely on unverified social media posts, rumours, or unofficial sources".
Frequently asked questions
Are CBSE Class 10 two board exams compulsory?
Only the first is. CBSE says it is mandatory for all students to appear in the first board exam, held from mid-February. The second exam in May is optional, for improvement or compartment.
How many subjects can be improved in the second exam?
Up to three, chosen from Science, Mathematics, Social Science and languages, according to CBSE's press release of 25 June 2025 and Notification No. 31 of 14 February 2026.
If my child misses the first exam, can they take only the second?
Not if they miss three or more subjects. CBSE's February 2026 notification says such students cannot appear in the second exam for any reason and are placed in "Essential Repeat", taking the main exam the next February.
Is the second exam on a shorter syllabus?
No. CBSE's press release and the 2027 LOC circular say both exams are on the full syllabus for the year, with the same scheme of studies and scheme of examinations.
Which marks count if my child does worse in the second exam?
The better one. CBSE's 18 July 2026 press release says that for regular students the better of the two performances is considered for the final result.
Is internal assessment done again for the second exam?
No. CBSE's scheme says internal assessment is conducted only once, before the main exams.
Can my child switch from Maths Basic to Standard for the second exam?
CBSE's 2027 LOC circular says subject change between the exams is not allowed except as permitted by policy, and names Mathematics Standard to Basic "and vice versa" as the permitted case. Confirm the process with the school when the second-exam LOC is filled.
Can a home tutor help with the second exam?
Yes, especially for one or two subjects in the short window between March and May. Our tutors in Gurgaon and Gurugram teach at home or online, and focus on the chapters and answer-writing habits that cost marks in February.
Want a clear plan for February, and for May if it is needed? Book a free demo class with Ajay Vatsyayan Classes, Saraswati kunj II, Wazirabad, Sector 52, Gurugram, Haryana 122003. For 12+ years our 500+ verified home tutors, male and female, have taught 25,000+ students across 50+ Gurgaon schools, at home or online.
Book a Free Class 10 Demo +91 92204 75088