CBSE Class 10 Two Board Exams — How the New System Works
From 2026, CBSE Class 10 students get two chances at the board exam in the same year. The first exam is compulsory. The second is optional and lets students try to improve their marks. For families in Kerala and in Indian schools across the Gulf, this changes how Class 10 can be planned.
The two exams at a glance
- First board exam (February) — compulsory for every Class 10 student, in all subjects.
- Second board exam (May) — optional. Students can take it to try to improve their marks in up to three subjects.
- Best of two: if you take the second exam, the better score in each subject is kept.
- Results are announced after each exam: the first around April and the second around June. In 2026 the second exam was held from 15 to 21 May.
- This applies to Class 10 only. CBSE Class 12 still has one board exam a year.
Should your child plan to take the second exam?
- Treat the February exam as the real exam. Prepare fully for it. The second exam is a safety net, not a plan.
- The second exam is useful if one or two subjects went badly, for example Maths or Science.
- Plus One (Class 11) classes and admissions may already have started by May, so a second attempt can eat into time for the next class.
- Decide soon after the first results, with your child’s teachers, which subjects (if any) are worth retaking.
How to prepare with two exams in mind
- Follow a normal Class 10 plan: NCERT first, sample papers, regular revision.
- Keep a short list of weak chapters during the year. If you take the second exam, that list is your revision plan.
- Do not leave subjects for May. The second exam is limited to three subjects and the timetable is short.
For families in the Gulf
- Indian CBSE schools in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain follow the same CBSE system and dates.
- Plan summer travel around the May exam window if your child may take the second exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the second CBSE Class 10 board exam compulsory?
No. Only the February exam is compulsory. The May exam is optional and is meant for improving marks.
How many subjects can I improve in the second exam?
Up to three subjects. If you take the second exam, the better of your two scores in each subject is kept.
Does CBSE Class 12 also have two board exams?
No. The two-exam system is for Class 10. Class 12 still has one board exam a year.
When are the CBSE Class 10 board exams in 2027?
The first exam is held in February and the optional second exam in May. Check cbse.gov.in for the official 2027 date sheet when it is released.
Does WonderZ teach CBSE Class 10?
Yes. WonderZ Learning offers CBSE Class 10 online tuition for students in Kerala and the Gulf, with 1-on-1, small batch and app classes. Fees are flexible and negotiable, and you can book a free demo class.
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