The CBSE Board Exams 2026 have brought several structural and evaluation-related changes, leaving many Class 10 and Class 12 students confused—especially around re-assessment, practical exams, and internal assessment marks. To address these concerns, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj has clarified key rules in a recent interaction, putting to rest multiple doubts raised by students and parents.
Here is a detailed and student-friendly explanation of what has changed, what remains the same, and what students must be careful about in the 2025–26 academic session.
One of the biggest clarifications from CBSE is related to re-assessment or improvement exams. According to the board, re-assessment will be applicable only to theory papers in both Class 10 and Class 12.
There is no provision to re-assess practical exam marks or internal assessment scores. This means students must take their practical exams seriously in the first attempt itself, as those marks are final and cannot be improved later through any re-evaluation or improvement exam.
CBSE officials have clearly stated that this rule applies uniformly across subjects where practicals or internal assessments are part of the evaluation scheme.
Many students worry that missing a practical exam automatically means failing the subject. CBSE has clarified that this is not always the case.
If a student misses a practical exam due to a genuine reason, the board’s digital system allows schools to:
Mark the student as absent, or
Reschedule the practical exam with prior approval
Schools are empowered to take appropriate action in coordination with CBSE, ensuring that students are not unfairly penalized due to unavoidable circumstances.
CBSE has reiterated that improvement exams are strictly limited to theory components only.
For both Class 10 and Class 12, there is no system to improve or reappear for practical exams, project work, or internal assessments.
This makes it crucial for students to:
Complete all listed practical experiments
Maintain proper lab records and project files
Take internal assessments seriously throughout the year
Once uploaded, these marks are considered final.
In Class 10, internal assessment is a year-long continuous process. Students are evaluated on:
Practical work
Activities and experiments
Notebook and lab file submission
For practical-related subjects, 5 marks are reserved specifically for notebooks and files. These marks are awarded based on consistency, completeness, and accuracy of work done throughout the academic year—not just at the end.
CBSE has emphasized that students must maintain proper records of all syllabus-listed activities to score well in internal assessments.
CBSE has also clarified the minimum passing marks for both classes:
Class 10:
Students must score 33% overall in each subject
This includes theory + practical/internal assessment combined
Class 12:
Students must score 33% in the external (theory) exam
If a subject includes a practical, students must score:
33% in theory
33% in practical
33% overall
Failing to meet any one of these conditions may result in not passing the subject.
CBSE has also explained the timeline differences:
Class 10:
Internal assessment is conducted throughout the year, and marks are uploaded on the CBSE portal between January and February.
Class 12:
Practical examinations are conducted after the academic session ends, closer to the board exam schedule.
Understanding this distinction helps students plan their preparation better and avoid last-minute confusion.
With multiple changes in exam patterns, eligibility rules, and evaluation methods, confusion among students was inevitable. CBSE’s clear stance ensures:
Transparency in evaluation
Reduced anxiety among students
Better preparation focus on areas that truly matter
The key takeaway is simple:
Theory exams may offer a second chance—but practicals do not.
Treat practical exams and internal assessments as non-negotiable
Do not depend on improvement options for practical marks
Maintain notebooks, lab files, and project work consistently
Focus equally on theory and practical components
With clarity on rules and proper planning, students can approach CBSE Board Exams 2026 with confidence rather than confusion.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Students are advised to check official CBSE notifications and consult their schools for subject-specific guidelines.
