CBSE Class 10 Maths Paper Did Not Go Well - What Are Your Options After the Exam?

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 10 Mathematics board exam today. Millions of students across the country took the exam, and now many are worried about their performance. Mathematics is one of the most difficult subjects for many students, and it's natural to feel anxious after a difficult exam.

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But the silver lining is that starting with the 2025-26 academic year, the CBSE has introduced a two-examination system. This means that today's exam isn't your only chance. You'll have another systematic opportunity later this academic year.

How Does the CBSE Two-Exam System Work?

Under the revised system, all students are required to appear for the first board exam, which serves as the main exam. This exam was conducted today. However, unlike the previous single-examination system, the CBSE will now conduct a second board exam within the same academic year in May 2026, giving students another opportunity in specific cases.

Can You Improve Your Maths Score in the Second Exam?

If a student feels they did poorly in the Mathematics exam, they can appear for the CBSE's second board exam to improve their scores. Students are allowed to improve their scores in a maximum of three subjects, including Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and Languages. This means that even if performance falls short of expectations, there is a formal opportunity to achieve higher marks without having to wait an entire year.

The application process for the CBSE second board exam, or Exam 2, will begin after the first exam is over.

Students who unfortunately fail in mathematics or even an additional subject have the opportunity to appear for a compartment exam in the second board exam. Students who fail in one or two subjects in the first exam can reappear under the compartment category in the second exam. This ensures that a difficult paper does not hamper a student's academic progress.

Who Can Appear for Each Exam?

However, the CBSE has clarified that students who are absent or fail in three or more subjects in the first exam will be marked as "compulsory revision." Such students will not be eligible to appear for the second exam and will have to reappear for the main board exams the following year.

The board has also specified eligibility categories for both exams. The first exam is open to new candidates, second-time candidates, students who are mandatory candidates from the previous year, and students in the improvement category.

The second exam will be open to students who wish to improve in a maximum of three subjects, those appearing for the compartment exam for the first or third time, candidates who are taking a combination of compartment and improvement exams, and students who have passed with a replacement subject but wish to improve in their original subject.

Importantly, CBSE has clarified that the syllabus, exam pattern, and question format will remain the same for both exams.

When Will the Results Be Declared?

Regarding results, the results of the first board exam will be declared in April, while the results of the second exam will be declared in June. Students who are satisfied with their performance in the first exam can proceed with their Class 11 admission process based on these results, which will be available digitally through DigiLocker. However, final mark sheets and official certificates will be issued only after the second exam is over.

The message for students worried about today's math paper is clear: one exam doesn't determine results. CBSE's new structure provides a safety net, ensuring that failures can be addressed during the academic year itself.

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