That changed in 2026, when the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) began giving Class 10 students two opportunities to appear for board examinations in the same academic year. However, many families with children now in Class 10 are still trying to understand how the new system works.
At Mayoor School, regarded as one of the best CBSE schools in Noida, we often discuss these questions with parents. So, in this blog post today, we’ve explained how the two examinations work, who can appear for the second one, and how students can prepare for both. Read on.
Why Has CBSE Introduced Two Board Exams?
The change follows the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommended that students be allowed to take board examinations on up to two occasions in a school year. The aim is to reduce the “high-stakes” nature of these examinations.
The idea is simple. One examination should not decide a student’s future. A second opportunity gives students a fair chance to improve and can ease the pressure that builds up around a single set of papers.
How Does the Two-Exam System Work?
The First Examination Is Compulsory
The first examination is held in February, and all Class 10 students must appear for it. Its results are announced in April.
The Second Examination Is Optional
The second examination is held in May, and its results are expected in June. Students who want to improve their performance can choose to appear for it.
Improvement Is Allowed in Up to Three Subjects
Students who have passed can appear again in up to three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and languages. If a student appears for both examinations, the better of the two scores is counted.
Internal Assessment Takes Place Only Once
Internal assessment is conducted only once during the academic session. Practical assessments are also not repeated for the second examination.
Students Who Did Not Pass a Subject Get Another Chance
Students who could not clear a subject in the first examination can appear for it in the second examination under the Compartment category.
Who Cannot Appear for the Second Examination?
This is an important point for parents. According to CBSE, students who miss three or more subjects in the first examination are not eligible for the second one. They are placed in the “Essential Repeat” category and can appear in those subjects only in the main examination held the following February.
In other words, the second examination is a chance to improve, not a replacement for the first. Students should treat the February examination as the main event and prepare for it fully.
Should Your Child Plan to Take the Second Exam?
Not necessarily. The second examination is a useful safety net, but it shouldn’t become a reason to prepare less for the first.
A student who is satisfied with their February results may prefer to focus on settling into Class 11. On the other hand, a student who underperformed in one or two subjects because of illness, anxiety, or one difficult paper may benefit from a second attempt.
Parents can help by discussing the decision calmly once the first results are out. Look at the subjects involved, the time available for revision, and how your child feels. Remember that preparation for the second examination will run alongside the start of the new academic session, so it requires careful planning.
How Can Students Prepare Well for Both?
Begin early and spread revision across the year, rather than leaving it for the final months. Practise with the sample question papers released by CBSE, as they show the examination pattern and the types of questions to expect. After every school assessment, identify weak areas and work on them before moving ahead.
Just as importantly, protect sleep, meals, and breaks. A second chance reduces pressure only when students are calm enough to use it well.
How We Support Class 10 Students at Mayoor School, Noida
At Mayoor School, a well-known CBSE school in Noida, we believe the two-exam system works best for students who are guided early, prepare steadily, and stay calm when it matters. Our support begins well before Class 10.
Our teachers keep pace with changes in how CBSE assesses students. In January 2026, we hosted a CBSE Capacity Building Programme on Competency-Based Assessment for the secondary level. Competency-based questions test how well students understand and apply concepts, rather than how much they can memorise, and they form an important part of today’s CBSE board papers.
Managing pressure matters just as much as managing the syllabus. Our students have taken part in initiatives such as Pariksha Pe Charcha, where they gained insights into exam preparation, stress management, and time management. Through events like Wellness Unplugged, held to mark World Mental Health Month, they also learn to recognise their emotions and seek support when they need it.
This balance shows in our results. In the 2025–26 CBSE board results, the first year of the two-exam system, several Mayoor students scored a perfect 100 in one or more Class X subjects. When the first results arrive, we encourage parents to discuss the decision about a second attempt with their child’s teachers, so that it is based on clear information rather than worry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is it compulsory for Class 10 students to appear for both board examinations?
No. Only the first examination, held in February, is compulsory. The second, held in May, is optional.
Q. In how many subjects can a student try to improve their score?
Up to three subjects from science, mathematics, social science, and languages.
Q. Which score is counted if a student appears for both examinations?
The better of the two scores is counted.
Q. Can a student skip the first examination and take only the second?
No. Students who miss three or more subjects in the first examination are not eligible for the second one and are placed in the Essential Repeat category.
Q. Are practicals and internal assessments held twice?
No. Internal assessment is conducted only once during the academic session, and practical assessments are not repeated.
Conclusion
The two-exam system is a welcome step towards making board examinations less stressful. It recognises that one difficult day should not define a student’s result. However, a second chance works best when the first attempt is taken seriously.
Hence, for parents looking for the best CBSE schools in Noida, it is worth asking how a school prepares students for this new pattern and how it guides families through important decisions. As CBSE may update its guidelines from time to time, we also recommend checking the official CBSE website for the latest information.
At Mayoor School, Noida, we walk alongside our students and their families through every step of the board examination journey. To learn more about admissions for the 2027–28 session, connect with our admissions team on +91-120-4618300/4618301 or +91-8700189577, or write to admission@mayoornoida.com.
