The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced a significant change in the Class 10 board exam pattern starting from the academic year 2024-2025. The board will now conduct two board exams for Class 10 students in a year instead of one annual exam.
This decision is aligned with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to reduce academic stress, improve learning outcomes, and offer flexibility to students. This blog explains everything about the CBSE two board exams for Class 10, including the exam pattern, benefits, challenges, and expert opinions.
If you’re searching for information like CBSE two board exam class 10, new CBSE exam pattern, or CBSE latest news for class 10, this guide has you covered.
🔍 Why CBSE Introduced Two Board Exams for Class 10
The shift from a single annual board exam to two-term board exams is a significant step towards a more student-friendly and stress-free assessment system.
✔️ Key Reasons:
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Aligning with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 guidelines.
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Reducing exam stress and anxiety among students.
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Offering students multiple opportunities to improve their scores.
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Focusing on competency-based learning instead of rote memorization.
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Preparing students for continuous learning and evaluation.
📅 CBSE Two Board Exams Class 10: How It Works
✔️ Exam Structure:
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The academic year is divided into two terms:
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Term 1: November–December
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Term 2: March–April
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Both terms will have separate board exams conducted by CBSE.
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Each term covers 50% of the syllabus.
✔️ Marks Distribution:
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Each exam holds equal weightage.
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Final marks are calculated based on the average of both exams or the best score (CBSE may announce this officially).
✔️ Reattempt Option:
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Students can appear for one or both exams to improve scores.
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The best performance is considered, reducing the burden of one-time high-stakes exams.
📜 New CBSE Class 10 Exam Pattern (2024-25)
| Aspect | Term 1 | Term 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Syllabus | 50% of total syllabus | Remaining 50% |
| Question Type | MCQs, Objective, Short Answer | Subjective, Long Answer |
| Exam Duration | 90 mins (approx) | 3 hours |
| Marks | 50% weightage | 50% weightage |
| Conducted By | CBSE | CBSE |
| Result Declaration | After each term | After Term 2 + Combined Result |
🌟 Benefits of CBSE Two Board Exams for Class 10
✔️ Reduced Exam Pressure
Students no longer need to rely on a single exam to decide their future. This reduces exam stress significantly.
✔️ Continuous Learning
With split syllabus, students can focus more on understanding concepts deeply rather than last-minute cramming.
✔️ Score Improvement
The opportunity to appear twice gives students a chance to improve weak subjects without waiting an entire year.
✔️ Better Mental Health
By distributing exams across the year, the mental load is reduced, leading to healthier study habits.
✔️ NEP 2020 Alignment
Encourages competency-based learning, critical thinking, and application-oriented knowledge.
❌ Challenges of Two Board Exams
✔️ Increased Exam Frequency
More exams may lead to increased administrative tasks for schools and CBSE.
✔️ Adaptation Time
Both teachers and students will need time to adapt to this new evaluation system.
✔️ Resource Pressure
Rural or underfunded schools might face challenges in managing two board exams in one year.
📚 CBSE Official Notification Highlights
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The decision comes under the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023.
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CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 will follow this pattern starting from the 2024-25 academic year.
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Marks from both exams will be reflected in the final result.
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CBSE may allow students to choose their best score if they attempt both exams fully.
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Practical exams will be conducted twice or integrated per subject requirements.
🏫 What Schools Need to Do
✔️ Teachers:
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Update lesson plans to fit the term-wise syllabus breakdown.
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Focus on concept clarity rather than just exam preparation.
✔️ Students:
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Prepare consistently throughout the year.
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Utilize the first term to assess strengths and weaknesses.
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Plan for improvements in the second term if required.
✔️ Parents:
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Support children in adapting to the new CBSE exam pattern.
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Avoid unnecessary pressure; focus on regular studies.
💡 Expert Opinions
🎙️ Dr. Manoj Ahuja (CBSE Chairman) said:
“This decision aligns with NEP 2020. It provides flexibility, reduces pressure, and enhances learning outcomes for students.”
🎙️ Education Experts:
“This pattern mirrors international education systems like the IGCSE or IB, which follow continuous assessments rather than one-time evaluations.”
🛑 Disclaimer
This blog is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The details provided are based on announcements from the CBSE official website, media sources, and public releases available at the time of writing. Any policy changes, updates, or revisions should be verified directly from cbse.gov.in or respective official circulars. The author and publisher are not liable for any discrepancy in future updates.