From 2026, CBSE holds two Class 10 board exams every year: a compulsory main exam in February–March and an optional second exam in May for students who want to improve their marks. Here is how the system works, what happened in its first year, and how to plan your child’s Class 10 year around it.
Quick facts
- First exam (February–March): compulsory for every Class 10 student.
- Second exam (May): optional. It is meant for improving marks, clearing a compartment or replacing a subject.
- Improvement: up to three of the main subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Languages.
- Better score counts: if your child improves in the second exam, the higher mark is used.
- Internal assessment: done only once in the year, not twice.
- Miss three or more subjects in the first exam and your child cannot take the second exam that year.
What happened in the first year (2026)
The new system ran for the first time in 2026. The main exam was held from 17 February to 11 March 2026, and the second exam from 15 to 21 May 2026. Results of the second exam were declared on 18 July 2026.
Over 6.6 lakh students sat the second exam, most of them to improve their scores, and more than 59% of improvement candidates scored higher than in their first attempt. So the second exam is a real opportunity, but it is not a guaranteed improvement: about four in ten students did not improve.
Who can take the second exam?
| Situation after the first exam | Can take the second exam? |
|---|---|
| Passed, wants better marks | Yes, in up to three main subjects (improvement) |
| Got a compartment in a subject | Yes, to clear that subject |
| Passed, wants to replace a subject | Yes (subject replacement) |
| Absent in three or more subjects | No. The student is placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and appears in the next February main exam |
What this means for your child
Treat the February exam as the real exam. The second exam is a safety net, not a plan. It falls in May, when Class 11 classes and entrance-exam preparation are starting, so preparing again for the full board paper takes time away from the next step.
- Aim to peak in February. That means the full syllabus finished early and several full-length practice papers before the board exam.
- Do not skip papers in the first exam. Missing three or more subjects removes the second-exam option entirely.
- Use the second exam selectively. It makes sense for one or two subjects where your child clearly underperformed, not as a reason to under-prepare the first time.
- Internal assessment happens once. The 20 internal marks from school are fixed for the year, so they deserve attention from the start.
How Universal Tutorials prepares students for the February exam
Since 1998, our Class 10 programme has been built to help students peak at the board exam. About 70% of the syllabus is covered by June, the full syllabus is finished by October, and from November to February students write up to four sets of full-portion mock tests in the exact board pattern, corrected by their own teachers with model answers. By February, the board paper feels familiar.
If your child is considering the second exam for a subject, our counsellors can help you decide whether it is worth it and plan the revision. See everything included in the UT programme →
Planning Class 10 for 2027-28?
Admissions are open at all six UT centres in Navi Mumbai. Book a free counselling session to discuss your child’s board-exam plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the second CBSE Class 10 board exam compulsory?
No. The first exam in February–March is compulsory for every student. The second exam in May is optional and is meant for students who want to improve their marks, clear a compartment or replace a subject.
How many subjects can my child improve in the second exam?
Up to three of the main subjects: Science, Mathematics, Social Science and Languages.
Which score counts if my child takes both exams?
The better of the two scores is used for the final result.
What if my child misses the first exam?
A student who is absent in three or more subjects in the first exam cannot take the second exam that year. They are placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and appear in the next February main exam.
When will the 2027 CBSE date sheet be released?
CBSE usually releases the date sheet a few months before the exams. Always check the official website, cbse.gov.in, for the final dates.
Sources: CBSE scheme for two board examinations for Class 10 and news reports of the 2026 results. Rules can change, so check cbse.gov.in for the latest official notices.
