The Union Education Ministry has announced that CBSE board exams for Class 10 and Class 12 will now be conducted twice a year. In a major step towards implementing this change, the ministry recently held a crucial meeting to discuss the preparations, which was chaired by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Key Meeting to Plan CBSE Exams Twice a Year
Students traditionally prepare for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams throughout the year for a single examination. However, with the new system, students will soon have the option to appear for board exams twice annually. The Education Ministry had already declared its intention to introduce this change, and now a significant meeting has been held to finalize the necessary arrangements.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of School Education, CBSE Chairman, and other key officials from the Education Ministry and CBSE. Discussions were centered around the implementation of this biannual examination system, and a draft proposal will soon be released for public consultation.
Aimed at Reducing Student Stress
Speaking on this development, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized that one of the government's top priorities is to create a stress-free learning environment for students. Reforming the examination system is a crucial step in that direction. The proposal to conduct CBSE exams twice a year has been extensively discussed and will soon be made available for public feedback.
According to the minister, these reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP), which aims to make school education more student-friendly and less stressful.
Taking the Exam Twice Will Be Optional
Under the proposed system, students of CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 will have the option to take their board exams twice a year, similar to the JEE Main exam pattern. However, it will not be mandatory for students to appear in both attempts.
Students can either:
- Take the exam once and proceed with their scores, or
- Attempt the exam twice to improve their performance.
There will be a few months' gap between both exam sessions, giving students ample time to prepare if they choose to retake the exam.
A Second Chance for Better Scores
This new system is designed to offer students a second opportunity to improve their scores. If a student is dissatisfied with their performance in the first exam, they can attempt the second exam held within the same academic year.
The Ministry of Education has clarified that this will be a completely optional system, allowing students to decide their own pace for appearing in board exams.
New Exam Pattern with More Analytical Questions
In addition to conducting exams twice a year, CBSE board exams will also undergo changes in their question paper pattern. The exams will now feature:
- More analytical and concept-based questions
- A higher percentage of multiple-choice questions (MCQs)
- More short-answer questions (1-2 mark questions)
Reports indicate that about 50% of the exam will consist of MCQs and short-answer questions. According to experts, this change aims to reduce the dependence on coaching and rote memorization. The focus will shift toward evaluating students' conceptual understanding rather than just their ability to memorize facts.
Flexible Subject Choices for 11th and 12th Students
The government is also implementing several other changes in the school education system. One major change is that students will no longer be restricted to predefined subject combinations in Classes 11 and 12.
Instead, they will have the freedom to choose subjects based on their interests and career aspirations. This step is expected to enhance learning flexibility and allow students to explore diverse academic pathways.
This new examination system is a significant reform aimed at making school education more student-centric, flexible, and stress-free. As discussions continue, CBSE is expected to release an official draft soon for public consultation before implementing the changes.
