Newsletter - CBSE Class 10, 12 Students to Get Second Chance to Better Marks in Improvement

         Students appearing for CBSE board exams will have a chance to appear for improvement papers in order to improve their scores. As per the earlier rules, if a student had to improve their performance in board exams, they had to wait a complete year and appear in the exam with the next batch, however, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has allowed students the flexibility to do the same within the same academic year. This is part of the National Education Policy (NEP) which aims to make exams low-stake and suggested giving multiple opportunities to board aspirants to score well.

        As per the new rule, class 10 and 12 students will be given an opportunity to improve their performance in any one subject. To do the same, students will have to appear in the compartment exam which will be held "immediately after conduct of main exams", informed CBSE. The better of the two marks obtained in the subject will be considered for declaration of results. Candidates who improve their performance will be issued combined mark sheets, as per the board. 

        If a student wishes to improve score in more than two subjects, they will have to wait an entire year and appear with the next batch. The new rules will come into effect from CBSE board exams 2021 which are scheduled to be held from May. 

        To help take the stress away from students, CBSE has reduced the syllabus for all subjects by 30 per cent this year. Further, the board has announced to increase the number of application-based questions in the board exams this year. The number of MCQs or application-based questions will increase by about 10 per cent every year, as per the NEP to make the exams low stake. 

        In the press conference after the Union Budget, FM Nirmala had announced that a series of reforms will be introduced in the CBSE board exam system not just exam pattern but also evaluation methods. These would be part of implementing NEP 2020 and would be introduced on phased-manner, she had said. 

        CBSE board exams will begin on May 4. The board had postponed the exams till May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Usually, the CBSE board exams are held in February-March. The exams will be held amid COVID- precautions where wearing a mask and maintaing social distancing will be mandatory. The board will hold class 12 exams in two shifts.