CBSE's Two-Phase Exam Plan for Class 10: Principals Discuss Flexibility and Challenges

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) plans to hold Class 10 board exams twice annually starting in 2026. This decision has sparked varied reactions from school principals. While many appreciate the increased flexibility for students, they also highlight areas needing further consideration. The new guidelines state that students will take exams first in February, with a second optional phase in May for those seeking to improve their scores.

The initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates for multiple exam opportunities to alleviate stress. Deepti Vohra, Principal of Delhi Public School in RK Puram, believes this could shift focus from rote memorisation to application-based learning. "This is a progressive step and has the potential to reduce exam-related anxiety. It aligns well with the NEP's vision of a flexible and student-centric assessment framework," she stated.

Flexibility and Implementation Concerns

However, some school leaders express concerns about the extended exam period from February to June. Sudha Acharya, Principal of ITL Public School in Dwarka, noted that while flexibility is beneficial, schools may need to rethink teaching and assessment schedules during this time. She emphasised the importance of providing adequate support for teachers and schools to balance exams with classroom learning.

Mallika Premanand, Principal of Tagore International School in Vasant Kunj, echoed similar sentiments. She acknowledged that offering students a second chance to improve is encouraging but stressed the need for clarity on how this will integrate with Class 11 admissions and the overall academic calendar.

Guidelines and Stakeholder Feedback

According to CBSE norms, students can choose to enhance their performance in up to three subjects: science, mathematics, social science, and languages. Internal assessments will occur once per academic year. Students from winter-bound schools can opt for either exam phase. Earlier this year, CBSE released draft guidelines for stakeholder feedback before finalising the policy aimed at making exams more flexible and less stressful.

Deepti Vohra added that successful implementation requires detailed adjustments in academic planning and infrastructure readiness. The move is seen as a way to reduce exam-related anxiety by focusing on continuous learning rather than rote memorisation.

The CBSE's decision reflects an effort to create a more student-friendly assessment framework. By offering multiple opportunities for exams, it aims to ease pressure on students while maintaining educational standards. As schools prepare for these changes, ongoing dialogue between educators and policymakers will be crucial.

With inputs from PTI