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Is it mandatory to appear for two board exams in CBSE?

Is it mandatory to appear for two board exams in CBSE?

Edited By Garima Sihag | Updated on Jul 04, 2025 11:06 AM IST | #CBSE Class 10th
Ongoing Event
CBSE Class 10th  Exam Date : 10 Jul' 2025 - 15 Jul' 2025

Starting from the academic year 2026, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will implement a new examination structure for Class 10 students, introducing two board exams annually. It seems some students might be wondering, “Is it compulsory to appear in both exams?

No, it is not compulsory to appear in both board exams of CBSE. The CBSE Class 10 February exams are compulsory for students, and the May exam is optional to enhance their results. Those who decide to take this second attempt will have their highest score from either exams.

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Students who miss three or more subjects in the first examination won't be eligible for the second exam or CBSE improvement exam. These students will be categorized as "Essential Repeat" and can re-take the examination the following February during the CBSE main exam.

More About CBSE 10th Exams: Is it Mandatory to Appear

  • Mandatory First Exam (February): All CBSE Class 10 students are required to appear for the first board examination, scheduled for February. This exam will cover the full CBSE 10th syllabus and serve as the primary assessment.

  • Optional Second Exam (May): The second examination, set for May, is optional and intended for students who wish to improve their scores. Students can choose to reappear in up to three subjects, specifically from Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and Languages. The higher score between the two attempts will be considered for the final CBSE 10th result.

  • Consequences of Missing the First Exam: If a student misses three or more subjects in the first examination, they will not be allowed to take the second exam. These students will be placed in the "Essential Repeat" category and can only retake the examination in February of the following year during the main examinations.

  • Compartment Category for Second Exam: Students who receive a "Compartment" result in the first examination are permitted to appear for the second examination under the Compartment Category.

  • No Additional or Stand-Alone Subjects After Class 10: Students cannot take additional or stand-alone subjects after passing Class 10.

  • Applicability: This two-exam policy currently applies only to Class 10 students. CBSE Class 12 board examinations will continue to be conducted once a year as per the existing system.

Is it mandatory to appear for two board exams in CBSE?
Is it mandatory to appear for two board exams in CBSE?
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This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, aiming to reduce examination stress and provide students with additional opportunities to enhance their academic performance.

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Questions related to CBSE Class 10th

Have a question related to CBSE Class 10th ?

Hello

Since you are a domicile of Karnataka and have studied under the Karnataka State Board for 11th and 12th , you are eligible for Karnataka State Quota for admission to various colleges in the state.

1. KCET (Karnataka Common Entrance Test): You must appear for the KCET exam, which is required for admission to undergraduate professional courses like engineering, medical, and other streams. Your exam score and rank will determine your eligibility for counseling.

2. Minority Income under 5 Lakh : If you are from a minority community and your family's income is below 5 lakh, you may be eligible for fee concessions or other benefits depending on the specific institution. Some colleges offer reservations or other advantages for students in this category.

3. Counseling and Seat Allocation:

After the KCET exam, you will need to participate in online counseling.

You need to select your preferred colleges and courses.

Seat allocation will be based on your rank , the availability of seats in your chosen colleges and your preferences.

4. Required Documents :

Domicile Certificate (proof that you are a resident of Karnataka).

Income Certificate (for minority category benefits).

Marksheets (11th and 12th from the Karnataka State Board).

KCET Admit Card and Scorecard.

This process will allow you to secure a seat based on your KCET performance and your category .

check link for more details

https://medicine.careers360.com/neet-college-predictor

Hope this helps you .

Hello Aspirant,  Hope your doing great,  your question was incomplete and regarding  what exam your asking.

Yes, scoring above 80% in ICSE Class 10 exams typically meets the requirements to get into the Commerce stream in Class 11th under the CBSE board . Admission criteria can vary between schools, so it is advisable to check the specific requirements of the intended CBSE school. Generally, a good academic record with a score above 80% in ICSE 10th result is considered strong for such transitions.

hello Zaid,

Yes, you can apply for 12th grade as a private candidate .You will need to follow the registration process and fulfill the eligibility criteria set by CBSE for private candidates.If you haven't given the 11th grade exam ,you would be able to appear for the 12th exam directly without having passed 11th grade. you will need to give certain tests in the school you are getting addmission to prove your eligibilty.

best of luck!

According to cbse norms candidates who have completed class 10th, class 11th, have a gap year or have failed class 12th can appear for admission in 12th class.for admission in cbse board you need to clear your 11th class first and you must have studied from CBSE board or any other recognized and equivalent board/school.

You are not eligible for cbse board but you can still do 12th from nios which allow candidates to take admission in 12th class as a private student without completing 11th.

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