CBSE's New Board Exam Policy: A Comprehensive Study Guide
I. Overview of the Policy
This study guide focuses on the Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE)'s new policy to conduct Class 10 board exams twice a year,
effective from the academic year 2026-27. The policy aims to reduce the
"high stakes" nature of board exams, in line with the National
Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) recommendations.
II. Key Components of the Policy
• Twice-a-Year
Exams: Students will have the opportunity to take board exams up to two times
during a school year.
• Mandatory
First Exam: The first board examination, conducted in mid-February, is
compulsory for all Class 10 students. Its results are declared in April.
• Optional
Second Exam (Improvement Exam): An additional, optional exam will be conducted
in May, with results declared in June. This exam is for students who wish to
improve their scores.
• Subjects
for Improvement Exam: Students can improve their performance in any three
subjects out of Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and two language papers.
This is a change from the previous policy which allowed improvement in any two
subjects (including vocational).
• Eligibility
for Improvement Exam:Students must pass the first mandatory board examination.
• Students
must have appeared in all subjects (not missed three or more subjects) in the
first mandatory board exam.
• "Essential
Repeat" Category: Students who do not appear or fail in three or more
subjects in the first mandatory board exam will be placed in this category and
must retake the main exam in the next academic year.
• "Compartment"
Category: Students who do not appear or fail in one or two subjects will be
placed in this category and will be allowed to appear in the second
(improvement) examination.
• Compartment
Exam Changes:From 2026-27, the first compartment attempt will be merged with
the second (improvement) exam and will occur in June.
• Subsequent
compartment attempts will coincide with the ensuing year's main board exam
(second attempt) and that year's improvement exam schedule (third attempt).
• Subject
Replacement Improvement: Students who passed by replacing a subject but need to
show passing marks in the originally failed subject for higher studies can also
appear in the second improvement exam for that specific subject.
• Rationale:
The policy aims to reduce exam stress, offer more opportunities for students to
demonstrate their learning, and specifically target improvement in core
academic subjects based on past performance analysis. It also seeks to ensure
students take the first mandatory exam seriously.
III. Important Dates and Timelines
• Academic
Year 2025-26: Compartment exams will still happen in July, results in August.
• Academic
Year 2026-27 Onwards:Mid-February: Mandatory first board examination.
• April:
Results for the mandatory first examination declared.
• May:
Optional improvement exam conducted.
• June:
Results for the improvement exam declared; first compartment attempt merged and
conducted.
IV. Key Stakeholders and Their Roles
• CBSE:
Approves, designs, and implements the policy; sets exam schedules and declares
results.
• Rahul
Singh (CBSE Chairman): Emphasized the mandatory nature of the first exam and
the optional nature of the second, and the reason for preventing
"opportunity shopping."
• Dr.
Sanyam Bhardwaj (Controller of Examinations, CBSE): Provided details on exam
timing, result declaration, subject selection for improvement, and changes to
the compartment exam system.
• Students:
Primary beneficiaries of the policy, gaining additional opportunities to
improve scores and reduce exam pressure.
Quiz: CBSE Board Exam Policy
Answer each question in 2-3 sentences.
1. When will
the CBSE's new policy for twice-a-year board exams for Class 10 come into
effect, and what is its primary objective?
2. Describe
the difference in nature between the first and second board examinations for
Class 10 students.
3. Which
subjects are eligible for students to attempt in the improvement exam, and how
does this differ from previous policies?
4. What are
the two main conditions a student must meet to be eligible to appear for the
second (improvement) board exam?
5. Explain
the "Essential Repeat" category. What happens to students placed in
this category?
6. How is
the "Compartment" category different from "Essential
Repeat," and what opportunity is given to students in the
"Compartment" category?
7. What
significant change will occur to the first compartment attempt exam from the
academic year 2026-27 onwards?
8. According
to Dr. Sanyam Bhardwaj, why did CBSE decide to focus improvement exams on
academic subjects rather than vocational ones?
9. What is
meant by "opportunity shopping" in the context of the first mandatory
board exam, and how does CBSE aim to prevent it?
10. Besides
improving scores, for what specific reason might a student who passed by
subject replacement opt to appear for the second improvement exam?
Quiz Answer Key
1. The
policy will come into effect from the academic year 2026-27. Its primary
objective is to eliminate the "high stakes" aspect of board exams,
offering students more opportunities to perform well.
2. The first
board examination is mandatory for all students and is conducted in
mid-February. The second board examination, held in May, is purely optional and
additional, designed for students to improve their scores.
3. Students
can attempt improvement in any three subjects out of Science, Mathematics,
Social Science, and two language papers. This differs from the previous policy
which allowed improvement in any two subjects, including vocational subjects.
4. To be
eligible for the improvement exam, students must have passed the first
mandatory board examination. Additionally, they must not have failed or missed
three or more subjects in the first exam, ensuring they took it seriously.
5. The
"Essential Repeat" category applies to students who do not appear or
fail in three or more subjects in the first mandatory board exam. Students in
this category are not allowed to appear in the second exam and must take the
main exam only in the next academic year.
6. Unlike
"Essential Repeat," the "Compartment" category is for
students who do not appear or fail in only one or two subjects. These students
are allowed to appear in the second (improvement) examination, offering them an
immediate chance to clear their subjects.
7. From
2026-27 onwards, the first compartment attempt exam will be merged with the
newly proposed second (improvement) exam. This means it will occur earlier, in
June, eliminating the previous July schedule for compartment exams.
8. Dr.
Bhardwaj stated that analysis of results showed students were already scoring
decent marks in vocational subjects. Therefore, a need was felt to offer
improvement exams specifically in academic subjects, where students could
benefit more from the opportunity.
9. "Opportunity
shopping" refers to students potentially not taking the first mandatory
board exam seriously, with the intent of solely relying on the second optional
exam. CBSE prevents this by disallowing students who miss or fail three or more
subjects in the first exam from taking the second.
10. A student
who passed by subject replacement might opt for the second improvement exam if
it is mandatory for them to show passing marks in the originally failed subject
for pursuing higher studies. This ensures they meet specific academic
prerequisites for their desired future education.
Essay Questions
1. Analyze
how the CBSE's new twice-a-year board exam policy aligns with the broader goals
and recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, particularly
concerning the "high stakes" aspect of examinations.
2. Discuss
the potential benefits and drawbacks of offering an optional second improvement
exam for Class 10 students. Consider its impact on student stress, learning
approaches, and the overall academic calendar.
3. Compare
and contrast the eligibility criteria and implications for students categorized
as "Essential Repeat" versus "Compartment" under the new
policy. How do these distinctions aim to influence student engagement with the
first mandatory exam?
4. Examine
the strategic changes made to the compartment examination schedule from 2026-27
onwards. What are the likely implications of these changes for students, and
how might it streamline the examination process?
5. Evaluate
the reasoning behind CBSE's decision to restrict the improvement exam to
specific academic subjects (Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and two
languages) rather than including vocational subjects as before. Do you agree
with this rationale, and why?
Glossary of Key Terms
• Academic
Year 2026-27: The school year from which the new twice-a-year board exam policy
for Class 10 will officially begin.
• Central
Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): The national board of education in India
responsible for conducting public examinations for Class 10 and 12.
• Compartment
Category: A classification for students who fail or do not appear in one or two
subjects in the mandatory first board exam, allowing them to appear in the
second (improvement) exam.
• Controller
of Examinations (CBSE): An official position within CBSE, currently held by Dr.
Sanyam Bhardwaj, responsible for managing examination procedures and results.
• Essential
Repeat Category: A classification for students who fail or do not appear in
three or more subjects in the mandatory first board exam, requiring them to
repeat the main exam in the subsequent academic year.
• High
Stakes: Refers to the significant pressure and consequences associated with a
single, crucial examination, often leading to anxiety and rote learning.
• Improvement
Exam: The optional second board examination conducted in May, allowing eligible
students to retake up to three specified academic subjects to improve their
scores.
• Mandatory
First Examination: The compulsory board examination for Class 10 conducted in
mid-February, which all students must appear for.
• National
Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020): A comprehensive framework for education in
India, which recommended allowing students to take board exams on up to two
occasions to reduce pressure.
• Opportunity
Shopping: A term used to describe students potentially not taking the first
mandatory exam seriously, with the intention of relying solely on the second
optional improvement exam.
• Replacement
of the Subject: A scenario where a student passes their overall examination by
substituting a failed subject with a different, often vocational, subject in
which they have passed.
• Vocational
Subjects: Subjects focused on practical skills directly related to a particular
occupation, such as singing, tailoring, etc., as opposed to traditional
academic disciplines.
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