The CBSE will allow Class 10 students to take board exams twice in certain subjects. The first exam is mandatory, but students who want to improve their marks can appear for a second exam in three main subjects - Math, Science, Social Science and two language papers. This change comes from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which suggests giving students multiple exam opportunities or semester-wise tests to reduce stress and pressure during board exams.
Rahul Singh, the chairman of CBSE, expects around 40% of students to sit for the second board examination in each subject. Saying in a webinar on the CBSE two-board exam scheme on Saturday (November 11, 2023), Singh said: “We do not expect, as a heuristic we have taken that around 40% children will appear in each of the main subjects, in the second board examination, at max.”
He also stressed that there will be a significantly lower evaluation load in the second board exam in comparison to the first. For the first board exam for Class 10, there are over 1.5 crore answer sheets, but for the second board, there will only be 20-30 lakh papers. Thus, it will be quicker to evaluate and return the students’ results. The Board hopes to conclude the entire cycle before June 30, 2026.
Why CBSE Chose Two Board Exams Over the Semester System
CBSE decided to have two exams for Class 10 students to relieve the mental stress of board exams. The board endorsed this model as more practical, said CBSE chairman, Rahul Singh. A semester system would create more responsibility for teachers and schools, even if the NEP 2020 recommended other options, such as semester-wise exams. That would require responsibilities related to administration, exam supervision, and paper checking, which would be too much responsibility for teachers.
Singh emphasised that the Board had to weigh educational policy, student welfare, and administrative viability when deciding to implement the two-board exam scheme. “Two board exams are a policy obligation which all of us have to fulfil together,” he said.
Important Points About the Second Board Exam
The first board exam is mandatory; the second exam is optional for performance improvement in three subjects.
Evaluation load for the second exam will be significantly lower than the first, ensuring results by June 30.
