CBSE Class 10 Students To Write Phase-2 Board Exams
For the first phase, nearly 24 lakh students had appeared which was conducted between February 17 and March 11 this year.
Hyderabad: CBSE Class 10 students will begin the second phase of board examinations on Friday exactly a month after the first phase results were declared on April 15. Around 6.68 lakh students across the country will appear for the exams, which were introduced for the first time under the National Education Policy (NEP) that allow students another opportunity within the same academic year to improve scores or clear compartment subjects.
For the first phase, nearly 24 lakh students had appeared which was conducted between February 17 and March 11 this year. For the second phase, over 5.25 lakh candidates registered for improvement while around 85,000 fall under the compartment category.
Last year, CBSE had announced that from 2026, Class 10 students would have “one main examination and one examination for improvement” in the same academic session. The board said the change was meant to reduce the pressure associated with a single high-stakes examination. Students can improve marks in up to three subjects and the better score out of the two examinations will be treated as final.
The second phase will begin with Mathematics Standard and Mathematics Basic on May 15, followed by Science on May 16, Social Science on May 18, English Language and Literature on May 19, and Hindi Course A and B on May 20. Remaining regional and elective subjects are scheduled on May 21.
Karnam Bhavani, principal of a school in Madhapur, said schools were hopeful about the new system because it gave students another opportunity without the fear of losing marks. “The best score of the two exams will be counted, so it is a very student-friendly approach,” she said, adding that students were allowed to choose any three subjects for improvement and many had opted to use the second attempt. “A good number of students are reappearing, I can say.”
CBSE has clarified that only students who appeared in the first examination are eligible for Phase 2. Internal assessment marks remain unchanged and students cannot improve practical components. The board has also allowed some flexibility for students switching between Mathematics Basic and Mathematics Standard under specified conditions.
Schools across Hyderabad have been preparing examination centres for the second phase.
The reform has also altered the academic calendar for schools and students. Earlier, improvement and compartment examinations usually took place months later. Under the revised system, the second examination comes within weeks of the results, while admissions to Intermediate and Class 11 courses have already begun in several states, including Telangana.
Telangana had recorded one of the country’s highest CBSE Class X pass percentages this year. According to state-wise figures, 56,390 students appeared from Telangana; however, there will still be quite a few students giving it a second shot at the centres on Friday.