What Is CBSE’s Two-Exam Format? Board Schedules Webinar to Address Student Queries
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has scheduled a public webinar for November 20, 2025, to clarify the updated two-exam structure introduced for Class 10. The online session, meant for students, teachers, and parents, will be broadcast live on the board’s official YouTube page.
Sharing the update through an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the board stated:
“CBSE is organizing a webinar on 20 November 2025 regarding the conduct of Two Board Examinations for Class X as mandated under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.”
CBSE said the objective of the programme is to brief all concerned groups—schools, parents, teachers, and officials—on the steps and requirements connected with the new assessment pattern. “The webinar aims to disseminate information and sensitize all stakeholders about the modalities to be followed for the smooth and fair conduct of the examinations,” CBSE stated.
Dual Board Exam Format for Class 10
In June 2025, CBSE confirmed a significant change in its evaluation process for Class 10 under NEP 2020, introducing two board examinations in an academic year.
First exam: February–March (mandatory for all students)
Second exam: May (optional for improvement)
The higher marks obtained across these attempts will appear on the marksheet. The first exam’s results are scheduled for April, while the second set of results will be released in June.
The revised model permits students to improve their performance in up to three subjects — Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages. This approach moves away from the previous “supplementary exam” pattern, offering a full second attempt with identical syllabus and marking weightage within the same year.
Early Release of Datesheet
CBSE published the 2026 board exam datesheet unusually early, putting it out in October 2025 to give candidates additional planning time. The complete timetable for Classes 10 and 12 was issued the following month. Both exams are set to commence on February 17, 2026.
The board has coordinated with the National Testing Agency (NTA) to avoid any clash between JEE Main 2026 and board exam dates. Students will also need to provide their Class 11 registration numbers at the time of applying for JEE Main.