CBSE Two-Exam System: Everything Students Need to Know

The CBSE Two-Exam System is an updated Class 10 board examination system which was introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in the June 25, 2025 academic year as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Under this system, students have the opportunity to write two board exams within the same academic year, the second exam being an improvement test or compartment exam in the eligible subjects.

It will reduce the stress of a single, high-stakes test to promote continuous learning, flexibility, and competency-based testing

What is the CBSE two-exam system?

The new system is named the CBSE Two-Exam System, a model in the Class 10 examination system of the board that was introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on a recommendation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

It will enable two exams before the board in the same academic year for students. The first test is compulsory for all students, and the second, which is optional to enable students to get higher grades in a maximum of 3 subjects, is also carried out.

Students who are convinced that they achieved what they wanted in their performance at the first examination will not be obliged to write the second examination.

Students failing to attend three or more subjects in the first phase will not be allowed to take the second phase.

The initial and second board tests are part of the overall syllabus for the academic year. The two exams are not divided by syllabus; both exams test the entire CBSE Class 10 syllabus, and students take all units of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science and second language as given by CBSE at that particular academic session.

Why did CBSE introduce the two-exam system?

The two-exam system was introduced by CBSE to have a more adaptable, student-friendly, competency-based system of assessment that is consistent with NEP 2020.

1. Alignment with NEP 2020

The two-exam system is also in line with the suggestion of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to encourage flexibility of tests, reduce high-stakes testing and promote competency-based learning.

It tries to come up with a learner-based assessment model that will promote both academic and holistic growth.

2. Reduce exam stress

There will also be no pressure that comes with having one board examination, as the new system will provide them with another opportunity to do better.

Without having to wait till the next academic year, the students would be in a position to do it more confidently and less anxiety-induced and score higher.

3. Promote conceptual learning

This innovative system of examination will help in motivating the learners to learn ideas but not memorise information.

It encourages increased research, critical thinking, and application of knowledge, and learners receive a more tangible academic foundation and experience within tertiary education and their lives.

4. Promote competency-based assessment

The two examination systems being provided in CBSE are more competency-based in that they are more concerned with the transfer of knowledge to practice, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

Rather than on memorisation, the exams rely on the concept of testing the conceptual knowledge of students and how the students can take the learning into real-life situations.

5. Enhance learning outcomes

This will act as a driving force for students in order to ensure that they can receive some improvements in their grades throughout the year, as they will have two terms of examination.

The system also supports extra preparation activities, continuous rectification and enhancement of information on the topic, which would translate into a superior learning process and success.

What is the CBSE best of two rule for Class 10?

The two-examination system was introduced, during which the Best of Two Rule was introduced in a bid to implement the system during the Class 10 board examinations.

It was on this ground that the first board exam was given to the students, and those who desired to get a better score in subjects to which they were qualified took the second exam.

CBSE will also make comparisons in terms of the marks that a student has attained in every subject in both the exams in case he/she passes both the exams. The mark increase will automatically be added to the final marksheet.

It would mean that there would be no chance of not getting the marks which the learner had attained, to be submitted to them in case they retake the exam.

How the CBSE best of two rule for Class 10 works?

1. First board examination

All Class 10 students will have to take the first board examination. The outcomes of this test are taken as a reference point for a subject.

Pupils who are satisfied with their performance don’t have to take the second examination, and that can be utilised in the final performance.

2. Second board examination

The second board exam gives a chance to the students to rewrite the exams in subjects they are eligible for as per CBSE requirements.

Students desiring to rank higher can come and take this examination, whereas those students who were satisfied with their first-exam results do not have to retake this examination.

3. Result declaration process

After the two examination processes were conducted, the CBSE scored the scores of the students who sat either of the two examinations.

The scores on the two attempts of the improvement candidates were compared by the board, and finally the final results based on the subjects were decided.

4. Final marks calculation

CBSE would prepare the final mark sheet with the highest score in cases where a student had done both tests. As per the assessment policy, a student who took the first examination was considered to have the final score by counting the marks that he or she scored in the examination. The school used to carry out the internal assessment of 20 marks in the course of the academic year, and does not repeat the same in the second examination. This is taken into consideration by adding these marks to the two theory scores that are higher in order to come up with the final result.

The final outcome will then be:

• The marks obtained in the two subjects in both the trials.
• The marks given by the school in the internal assessment.
• The CBSE grading will be the final grading according to the CBSE grading criterion.

Conclusion

The implementation of the Class 10 assessment in the form of a two-examination system will be a massive leap towards a more friendly and flexible assessment process as offered by CBSE.

The system will decrease the pressure of exams and promote continuous education by giving students another chance at having a higher score in qualified subjects and taking into account the better score.

This assessment system has been offered based on the introduction of competency-based education and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and supports students in achieving their academic potential.

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