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CBSE Class 10 in 2027: How the Two Board Exams Work, and How to Plan for Them
Wg Cdr Piyush Rana (Retd)BTech, MTech (IIT Madras) · Senior faculty at Enlighto Academy
Published 25 Oct 2026
CBSE now holds the Class 10 board exam twice a year. The February exam is compulsory; the May exam is an optional second chance in up to three subjects. Here is what that means for this year's students, and how to plan the next four months.
From 2026, CBSE holds the Class 10 board exam twice a year. This year's Class 10 students are the second batch to sit it this way. The idea is a fair one: one bad day should not decide a year's result. But the second exam is a safety net, not a second attempt at preparing. Students who plan as if February is the only exam do best in both.
How the two exams work
- The February exam is compulsory for every Class 10 student, in every subject.
- The May exam is optional. A student may sit it to improve their marks in up to three subjects. In 2026 it ran from 15 to 21 May, with results in June–July.
- The better score counts. If the May mark is higher, it replaces the February mark on the final certificate. If it is lower, the February mark stays.
- Only the theory paper is repeated. Internal assessment, practical and project marks from the February session are final.
- The subject choice is fixed. A student who sat Basic Mathematics in February cannot switch to Standard Mathematics in May.
- Students cannot apply for the May exam themselves. Their school submits the list of candidates soon after the February results.
- A student who misses the February exam, or fails three or more subjects, cannot use the May exam. They must repeat the year.
The 2027 date sheet has not been released yet. CBSE expects the February exam to start in mid-February. Always check dates on the official site, cbse.gov.in, and this year's sample papers on cbseacademic.nic.in.
What this means for your child
- Prepare for February as if there were no May. The May exam covers the same syllabus and the same paper pattern. Students who "save" a subject for May give up their summer and gain little.
- Internal assessment matters more now. Those 20 marks per subject are final after the first session, so projects, practicals and school tests deserve full effort.
- Use May for one or two subjects, not as a plan B for everything. It works best for a subject where a student under-performed on the day.
- Basic or Standard Mathematics is a real decision. It cannot be changed between sessions, so make it with your child's teacher, not at the last minute.
A four-month plan, from November
| Month | Focus |
|---|---|
| November | Finish any remaining chapters. Make one page of formulas, definitions and diagrams per chapter. |
| December | Full revision, subject by subject. Start the official sample papers, untimed at first. |
| January | Timed papers in exam conditions, two or three a week. Review every mistake, not just the score. |
| February | Light revision before each paper. Sleep and routine matter more than late-night cramming. |
How we prepare students at Enlighto Academy
Our Class 10 batches finish the syllabus early, then move to revision, pre-board practice papers and timed sample papers. Every test result goes into the parent portal, so you can see your child's progress week by week. See our Class 10 page for details, or call us to book one of the 10 free demo classes.