CBSE Board Exam 2026: Major Changes in Class 10 and 12 Board Exams

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made major changes in the board exam process and paper pattern for the academic session 2025-26. The major changes include structured answers booklets, mandatory 75% attendance in class 9-10th, etc. These updates are very important for Class 10 and 12 students appearing for CBSE board exams 2026, as ignoring them could affect their Board Results 2026.

CBSE Board Exams 2026 Major Changes

The following are the major changes made by the Central board of secondary education in board exam 2025-26.

1. Rules for Science and Social Science Answer Sheets

CBSE has changed the structure of answer booklets for Science and Social Science. Students must write answers in specific sections only.

• Science CBSE Board Exams 2025-26: Divided into 3 sections – Biology (Section A), Chemistry (Section B), and Physics (Section C).
• Social Science CBSE Board Exams 2025-26: Divided into 4 sections – History (A), Geography (B), Political Science (C), and Economics (D).

Note: If a student writes an answer in the wrong section, it will be marked as "Attempt Not Done" and will not be checked. This mistake cannot be fixed during re-checking or evaluation.

Also Read: CBSE Board Exam 2026 Changes Exam Pattern and Assessment Scheme for Class 10 and 12

2. Two CBSE Board Exams 2025-26: February and May

The board has shifted to a dual exam system.

• February (Main Exam): This is compulsory for everyone. Practical exams will also happen in February.
• May (Improvement Exam): This is optional. Students can re-take exams for a maximum of 3 subjects. The best marks out of the two will be considered for the final result.
• Eligibility for CBSE Improvement Exam 2026: Students who fail in 1 to 3 subjects in February are eligible. If a student fails in more than 3 subjects or is absent in more than 3 subjects, they will not be allowed to sit for the May exams.

Also Check: CBSE Class 10 Exam Dates

3. CBSE Exam 2026 New Paper Pattern (50% Competency Questions)

To move away from rote learning, the question paper format has been revised for Class 10 and 12.

• 50% Competency-Based Questions (includes MCQs, case studies, and data-based questions)
• 20% Objective Questions.
• 30% Short and Long Answer Questions.
• 4.75% Attendance Mandatory in Class 9 and 10

4. CBSE Exam 2026: 75% Attendance Policy

CBSE has made it clear that 75% attendance is mandatory in both Class 9 and Class 10. If a student does not meet this attendance requirement, they will be disqualified from appearing in the board exams.

5. 9-Point Grading System in CBSE Board Exams 2025-26

Starting from 2026, a new grading scale will be applied. Students will receive grades from A1 to E (total 9 grades) based on their marks. This system aims to make the evaluation more transparent.

6. Provisional Admission in Class 11 After CBSE 10th Board Exams 2026

Students can take provisional admission in Class 11 based on their February main exam result. The admission will get confirmed only after the final results are declared following the improvement exams in May.

Students are advised to prepare according to this new pattern to avoid any confusion during the exam hall.

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FAQs

Ques: Is 75 attendance compulsory in Class 12 CBSE 2026?

Ans: Yes, CBSE has made 75% attendance mandatory for students to appear in the board exams. Students failing to meet this criteria will be disqualified. 

Ques: What are the changes in the board exam in 2026?

Ans: CBSE has introduced a dual exam system (February and May), increased competency-based questions to 50%, and implemented a new 9-point grading scale. Also, Science and Social Science papers now have strict section-wise answer booklet rules.

Ques: What are the changes in CBSE board 2026 Class 12?

Ans: Class 12 exams now feature 50% competency-based questions and a dual exam format. Students take the main exam in February and can opt for an improvement exam in May for three subjects. The best score is considered final.

Ques: Will 2026 have a 2 board exam for Class 12?

Ans: Yes, the board has shifted to a dual system. The main exam happens in February, followed by an optional improvement exam in May. Students can appear in May for up to three subjects to improve their scores.

Ques: What are the changes for Class 10 CBSE exam 2026?

Ans: Changes include a new grading system, mandatory 75% attendance, and specific answer sheet sections for Science and Social Science. Additionally, students can take an optional improvement exam in May if they wish to better their February scores.