Under CBSE’s new twice-a-year board exam system, only students who pass the first Class 10 exam (Feb–Mar 2026) can re-attempt up to 3 subjects in the second exam (May 2026) to improve their score — and CBSE keeps whichever of the two scores is higher. This one rule causes more confusion among parents and students than any other part of the new system, so here is a clear, practical breakdown of exactly how it works.
The Two-Exam System in Brief
From the 2025-26 session, CBSE Class 10 board exams are held twice a year:
- First exam (Phase 1): held in February–March 2026, covering the full syllabus. This exam is compulsory for every Class 10 student — there is no opting out.
- Second exam (Phase 2): held in May 2026. This is an optional exam, open only to students who want to try for a better score, or who need to clear a compartment.
Who Can Actually Appear in the Second Exam
Eligibility for the May exam depends entirely on your Phase 1 result:
- If you passed all subjects in the first exam, you are eligible to re-attempt up to 3 subjects purely to improve your marks.
- If you failed in 1 or 2 subjects (a “compartment” result), you can appear in the second exam to clear those specific subjects. This is a genuine second chance to pass, not just an improvement attempt.
- If you failed in 3 or more subjects, you are not eligible for the second exam at all. You will need to reappear for the Class 10 exam afresh in the next academic session.
Importantly, the second exam is offered only for subjects where the CBSE-conducted written paper carries more than 50% weightage — this generally means subjects like Science, Mathematics, Social Science, and the languages. Subjects that are mostly internal or practical-based are not offered for re-attempt.
How Many Subjects Can You Re-Attempt?
The cap is 3 subjects for improvement. You do not have to use all 3 — a student can choose to re-attempt just 1 or 2 subjects if that’s all they want to improve. There is no requirement to attempt the maximum.
One extra flexibility: in Mathematics, a student can switch level between Standard and Basic while re-attempting. No such level change is allowed for other subjects.
How Your Final Marks Are Decided
This is the part most students get wrong. For any subject re-attempted in the second exam, CBSE records the better of the two scores — not automatically the second score. If a student scores 72 in February and 68 in May in the same subject, the 72 stays on the final marksheet. The February score is never lost; the second attempt can only help, never hurt, your final result.
Fees and Important Dates
Schools submit the List of Candidates (LOC) for the second exam in a fixed window set by CBSE, typically in April, with a late window (with late fee) for a few extra days. The exam fee is charged per subject, with a lower combined fee if a student opts for all 3 subjects together; an additional late fee applies if the LOC deadline is missed. Schools are not permitted to charge students anything beyond the official CBSE fee for this process — always check the latest circular on cbse.gov.in for the exact fee amount and dates applicable to your session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to re-attempt all 3 subjects, or can I pick just 1?
You can choose any number up to 3 — 1, 2, or 3 subjects. There is no rule forcing you to use the full quota.
Is there a fee for the second attempt?
Yes. CBSE charges an exam fee per subject for the second attempt, payable through the school when the LOC is submitted. A separate, higher late fee applies only if the school misses the submission deadline.
If I fail a subject in the first exam, does that stop me from taking the second exam at all?
No — not automatically. Failing 1 or 2 subjects gives you a compartment, and you can appear in the second exam specifically for those subjects to clear them. Only failing in 3 or more subjects makes you ineligible for the second exam; in that case you must reappear the following year.
What happens if I do worse in a subject I re-attempted?
Nothing to worry about — your original (February) score for that subject is retained. CBSE records the higher of the two scores, so a weaker second attempt cannot pull your marks down.
Can I attempt a subject a third time in the same session?
No. Each subject can be attempted at most twice within one academic session — once in the first exam and once in the second. There is no third window.
Can I change my subject choice in the second exam?
No, other than the Mathematics Standard/Basic level switch, subjects cannot be changed. The second exam is meant only for re-attempting subjects already taken in the first exam.
The new system exists to take pressure off a single exam and give you a genuine second chance — use it wisely, focus your re-attempts on the subjects that will actually move your percentage, and you’ll come out ahead either way. All the best for your exams!
Keep exploring: test your prep with previous years’ question papers and chapter-wise notes here.