Big Changes Ahead: CBSE Introduces Two Board Exams for Class 10

In an effort to reduce the burden on students and improve academic performance, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has implemented a significant change for Class 10 learners – starting from the academic year 2025–26, there will be two board examinations conducted annually. This monumental change is in line with NEP 2020 which aims to make policies around evaluation more flexible and relaxing.

What Is Different? Two Instead of One
Students under the transformed structure will have an opportunity to sit for their board exam twice within a single academic year:

1. The first exam will be held between February–March.
2. The second attempt primarily meant for improvement will occur around May-June.

The best score out of both attempts will be used towards the final result. Significantly, appearing for the first exam is compulsory, while the second attempt is optional.

What Motivates This Change?
This policy shift looks to alleviate some of the immense psychological stress students experience during board examinations. By providing a second opportunity, CBSE intends to:

1. Motivate learners to approach exams as important benchmarks in their educational journey rather than a definitive verdict on their abilities.
2. Allow score improvement chances without waiting for a year.
3. Accommodate overseas educational systems with flexible exam dates.

Changes To Evaluation Methods
In addition to the dual examinations, CBSE is changing how students are assessed:

1. Critical thinking, analysis, and application will now make up 50% of the questions, which will be competency-based.
2. Other question types will include MCQs, short answer, and descriptive answers of varying lengths.
3. Internal assessments will include tests taken during lessons as well as class activities contributing as much as 40% to the final grade.

Improvements to Grading System

With an updated 9-point grading system, students can be assessed more accurately on their performance allowing for clearer distinction between grades. This is especially helpful for colleges and employers that assess academic capabilities.

Recommended Student Actions

Students in class 10 must ensure to:

1. Check regularly for updates regarding the CBSE syllabus and examination schedules.
2. Make sure there is enough time set aside to excel during the first mock test scheduled mid/early term.
3. Emphasize applying knowledge in practice through engaging exercises instead of rote learning.
4. Give considerable effort towards internal assessments because of their heavy weighting on overall marking.

Similarly, with recent changes, parents need to guide their wards towards embracing tests and assist them in coping with the changes.

Actions Taken by Schools

Top schools around the country are preparing far more rigorously for the new policies and integrating them into their teaching practices. For example, one of the Faridabad top schools has implemented a comprehensive applied learning module to train students on competencies-based education to help them ease into these changes. Other such schools are also leading with effective teaching strategies for internal assessments and revised pedagogic approaches alongside CBSE redesign reforms.

FAQs: Class 10/CBSE Dual Board Examination System

Q1. Is both examinations compulsory for all students?

No. It is mandatory for students to sit for first exam, however, the second one is optional if taken for mark enhancement purposes.

Q2. Will there be two scores recorded?

Both composite scores will be ignored as only the best score claimed shall be captured as final result.

Q3. What if a user did not successfully complete first assessment?

There’s only a special second chance offered to participants who have some level of justification (Illness, going abroad, etc.)

Q4 Are both exam’,s criteria identical?

Affirmative; all questions come from within the confines outlined in the curriculum taught in every single iteration of examination.

Q5. Does Class 10 become more challenging because of this?

Not really. The restructuring aims to make learning more meaningful and mitigate stress rather than increase it.

The imminent changes from CBSE signifies the move towards a more progressive educational system, which has in mind the needs of the student. Students are expected to utilize these advancements for their academic and personal growth if supported properly during preparation and guidance at all levels.