CBSE board exams twice a year: How to make the most of the two chances you get

Time of India

6 hours ago

In a significant move aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (
CBSE
) has announced that students appearing for Class 10 board examinations will now have two opportunities in an academic year to take their final exams.
Starting in 2025, this twice-a-year model aims to reduce exam-related stress and allow students a second chance to improve their scores without penalty.
This change represents a major shift from the traditional 'one-shot' approach to a more flexible, student-centric system. But with this flexibility comes the need for smart planning, discipline, and strategy. Here's a comprehensive guide on how students can make the most of this opportunity and perform their best under the new system.
Understanding the new format
Under the revised model, CBSE will conduct two board exam sessions in a year, tentatively in March and July. Students can choose to appear in either one or both sessions. If a student appears in both, the better score out of the two will be considered final. This is not a supplementary or compartment system; both attempts are treated equally and are available to every student.
This change brings CBSE in line with global practices, where students are often assessed more than once a year and given multiple chances to demonstrate their learning without being penalized for underperformance in one attempt.
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Why this benefits students
This new system is designed to ease the high-stakes pressure of board exams. Students no longer have to fear a single poor performance derailing their academic plans. They now have the freedom to try, reflect, and retry. This change allows students to:
Improve scores in specific subjects
Test their preparation early without fear
Align their academic strategy with entrance exams like CUET, JEE, and NEET
Develop a healthier relationship with learning and assessments
For students who are unwell, anxious, or underprepared in the first session, this model provides a powerful safety net.
Phase-wise preparation strategy
To maximize this opportunity, students should break their academic year into two clear phases:
Phase 1:
Foundation and First Attempt (June to January)
This phase should be focused on completing the syllabus thoroughly, understanding core concepts, and taking regular mock tests.
Students should aim to take the first board exam attempt in March seriously, treating it as a primary shot at success.
Phase 2:
Revision and Second Attempt (February to June)
If students are not satisfied with their first performance, they can use this second phase to revise key areas, work on weak subjects, and attempt the exam again in July with greater confidence and clarity.
Deciding when and what to retake
It's not necessary to reappear for all subjects in the second session.
Students should be strategic and retake only those subjects where they feel they can significantly improve their score. For instance, if you're planning to pursue science or engineering, subjects like Physics and Mathematics become crucial and may be worth retaking if your initial scores are average.
Students should analyze their first-session results carefully to determine which subjects will benefit most from a second attempt, and whether their overall percentage can be meaningfully boosted.
Balancing board exams with entrance preparations
For Class 12 students, this format adds flexibility but also demands smart scheduling. The first board exam attempt may overlap with preparations for national-level entrance tests like JEE, NEET, and CUET. Therefore, if students are satisfied with their first-session performance, they can shift focus entirely to entrance exams in the following months. Alternatively, if they plan to improve scores in the second session, time management will be key.
Students may consider creating a blended study plan—one that combines CBSE revision with entrance exam strategies—especially for subjects that overlap like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Managing stress and expectations
With the twice-a-year format, students are likely to feel less pressure to be 'perfect' on one specific day. However, it's essential to avoid over-relying on the second chance. The first attempt should still be approached with full commitment and preparation.
Parents and teachers play an important role here. Instead of emphasizing score maximization alone, they should encourage consistency, concept clarity, and resilience. The focus must shift from just scoring to building long-term academic strength.
The twice-a-year CBSE board exam model is not just a scheduling update—it's a paradigm shift in how student achievement is measured. With proper planning and awareness, students can use this flexibility to their advantage, without compromising on quality learning. The key lies in strategic preparation, timely decision-making, and maintaining mental balance.
Instead of fearing exams, students can now embrace them as learning milestones, with not one but two chances to showcase their best selves.
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