The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has revealed a major redesign of the Class 10 and Class 12 exam pattern for the 2026 board examinations. The new structure is aimed at moving students away from rote memorisation and encouraging deeper conceptual understanding. According to the board, this shift will help students develop stronger analytical skills, better problem-solving abilities, and long-term clarity of concepts instead of depending on short-term recall.
CBSE Made Big Push Toward Competency-Based Assessment
In line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, CBSE has reworked the format of question papers.
From the 2026 board cycle:
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50% of the questions will be competency-based, including MCQs, case studies, source-based integrated questions, data interpretation tasks, and situational problem-solving.
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20% of questions will be select-response (MCQs).
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30% will be constructed-response questions, featuring both short and long answers.
With this change, half of every board exam will now measure how well students understand concepts and apply their learning, instead of testing only memory-based answers.
Two Board Exams a Year for Class 10 Students
NEP 2020 also recommended offering students more chances to perform better. Following this, CBSE will hold two board examinations annually for Class 10 starting in 2026. This will give students more flexibility and a better opportunity to improve their scores while showcasing actual learning outcomes.
CBSE Board Exams 2026: Key Dates
The CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board examinations for 2026 will begin on February 17.
Class 10 & 12 CBSE Board Exams: Click on given Link
https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/documents/CBSE_DATE_SHEET_X_XII_Final_30102025.pdf
First Day Exam Schedule
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Class 10: Mathematics Standard & Mathematics Basic
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Class 12: Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship, and Shorthand (Hindi & English)
Exam End Dates
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Class 10 exams will finish on March 10
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Class 12 exams will conclude on April 9
What These Changes Mean for Students
The new pattern is designed to encourage:
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Learning based on understanding rather than memorisation
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Stronger reasoning and thinking abilities
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Reduced exam-related pressure, thanks to flexible options
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Better alignment with international education standards
Also Read: CBSE Board Exams 2026: Class 10 & 12 Date Sheet Out, Exams Begin February 17 | Full Schedule
