CBSE Practical Exams 2025: Guidelines and SOPs Released for Class 10, 12

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the CBSE practical exam guidelines for students of Classes 10 and 12. The board released the CBSE practical exam dates on October 10, 2024. CBSE practical exams for Classes 10 and 12 have commenced on November 5, 2024, for winter-bound schools and will conclude on December 5, 2024. For all other CBSE-affiliated schools in India and abroad, practical exams will begin on January 1, 2025, and end on February 14, 2025. Individual schools will announce specific dates for CBSE practical exams.
CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines PDF for Students

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To maintain consistency and accuracy in the conduct of CBSE practical examinations, projects, and internal assessments for Classes 10 and 12, the Board has established Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for students and schools. CBSE Class 10 and CBSE Class 12 exams will be conducted from February 15 to April 4, 2025.

The Board has instructed schools to promptly upload marks for all practical exams, projects, and internal assessments. Both internal and external examiners must ensure accurate mark entry, adhering to the maximum mark allocation for each component.

CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines for Students

CBSE has officially released these guidelines for class 10 and 12 students on the website. Check the details below:

• Syllabus and Practical Exams: Students and parents are advised to familiarise themselves with the CBSE syllabus, paying particular attention to subjects with practical parts.
• Attendance is Mandatory: All students must attend their scheduled CBSE practical exams. The CBSE does not offer a second chance for missed practical exams.
• Questions and Concerns: If they have any questions or concerns regarding the above information, they can contact their school administration.

Who will hold CBSE Practical Exam, Internal or External Examiner?

The Board will not appoint any external examiners to evaluate CBSE Class 10 practical exams but it will assign specific external examiners to each school to conduct CBSE Class 12 practical exams and project assessments. Schools are not permitted to arrange alternative external examiners. Only the Board-appointed examiners can conduct CBSE Class 12 practical exams and assessments.

CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines for Class 10 Students

• No External Examiners: The CBSE will not appoint external examiners for Class 10 practical exams.
• Retention of Answer Books: Schools will retain the answer books of students after conducting practical exams, projects, and internal assessments. These books will not be sent to the CBSE office.

CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines for Class 12 Students

• External Examiner Appointment: The Board will assign external examiners to each school to conduct CBSE Class 12 practical exams and project assessments in designated subjects.
• No Alternative Arrangements: Schools cannot arrange alternative external examiners. CBSE practical exams and assessments must be conducted by Board-appointed examiners only.
• Observer Role: The Board may appoint observers to monitor the conduct of practical exams and assessments to ensure fairness.
• Internal and External Examiner Roles: Each practical exam or project assessment will involve both an external examiner appointed by the Board and an internal examiner from the school, who must be experienced and qualified in the subject.
• Laboratory Readiness: Schools must ensure that laboratories are fully equipped and ready for practical exams. External examiners will inspect laboratories at least one day prior to the exams to verify equipment and material availability.
• Student Batching: Schools should divide students into batches of 30 for efficient management of CBSE Class 12 practical exams and assessment mark uploads. Smaller sub-groups of 15 can be formed for practical work and theory components, but the entire batch's assessment must be completed on the same day.
• Exam Session Scheduling: To ensure fair assessment, CBSE Class 12 practical exams and assessments will be conducted in two or three sessions per day, especially for large batches. Class 12 fine arts exams will always be conducted in two sessions per student.
• Photograph Uploading: Schools will upload a group photo of each batch during the CBSE Class 12 practical exam. The photo will include all students, both external and internal examiners, and the laboratory.
• Attendance Sheets: Attendance sheets will be accurately filled out and submitted as per the Regional Office's instructions.
• Rescheduling Absent Students: CBSE 12 practical exams for absent students will be rescheduled within the designated period. No special permissions for rescheduling outside this period will be granted.
• Marking Absent Students: Absent students will be marked as "Absent" in the online system. If a CBSE practical exam is rescheduled, the student should be marked as "Rescheduled."
• Practical Answer Books: Schools will use the provided practical answer books by board. Both internal and external examiners must complete the required entries and acknowledgement.

CBSE Practical Exam Guidelines for Students on Exam Day

CBSE Class 10 and 12 exam day guidelines for students are given below:

• Arrive Early: Reach the exam center well before the scheduled time.
• Bring Necessary Items: Carry the CBSE Class 10 admit card and CBSE 12th admit card, practical notebook, stationery (pen, pencil, eraser, scale), and any specific equipment required for their subjects.
• Follow Instructions: Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions and follow them strictly.
• Work Independently: Attempt the practical tasks independently, seeking guidance only when necessary.
• Record Observations Accurately: Record the observations, calculations, and conclusions clearly and neatly.
• Answer Viva Voce Questions Confidently: Be prepared to answer questions related to the experiment, theory, and practical skills.
• Maintain Laboratory Etiquette: Be respectful of the laboratory equipment and maintain cleanliness.