Why have teachers, educators given thumbs down to CBSE’s decision to hold Class 10 exams twice a year

Hyderabad: CBSE’s decision to hold Class 10 board exams twice a year starting from 2026 has triggered strong reactions from educators and child psychologists across the country.

While the move—aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—is intended to reduce stress and offer flexibility, stakeholders warn it could instead burden students and disrupt school systems.

The new system mandates all Class 10 students to appear for the first exam in February, with an optional second attempt in May to improve scores in up to three subjects. CBSE will retain the better score in each subject, and internal assessments will take place only once.

Educators: Two Exams, One Long Period of Stress

Teachers say the structure may increase pressure, not reduce it, especially in competitive school environments.

“Instead of a single high-stakes exam, we now have two. For many students, that means double the anxiety and pressure to perform,” said Arihant Mishra, senior CBSE teacher from Rockwoods International School, Hyderabad. “Even those who do well in February may feel compelled to take the May exam because of peer pressure or unrealistic academic expectations.”

Schools will also face logistical challenges. “We will have to reschedule academic calendars, rearrange faculty workload, and extend support classes far beyond the usual term,” said Mishra, speaking to Newsmeter. “The question isn’t just about whether students can take a second chance. It’s about whether schools are ready to facilitate that without burning out teachers.”

Child Psychologists: Improvement Exams Can Trigger a Constant ‘Not Good Enough’ Mindset

Child psychologists warn that the reform could unintentionally create a prolonged performance loop, where students are never mentally free from exams.

“This format risks keeping children in a continuous state of academic anxiety,” said Dr. Amrit Balan, a child and adolescent psychologist. “A February exam followed by a May retest doesn’t just extend the stress window—it may deepen it. Students may begin to internalize the idea that their first performance is never enough, even when it is.”

Dr. Balan also pointed out that the policy may inadvertently normalize retakes. “We might be teaching children to chase perfection rather than be satisfied with effort and progress. That’s not healthy.”

Dr. Hansini Sethi, a Hyderabad-based counsellor who works with school children, added: “We already see children dealing with burnout from tuitions and academic competition. With two board exam windows, many of them won’t feel they can take a break, even if they want to.”

Schools Brace for Academic and Administrative Load

From syllabus pacing to faculty planning, schools say the change will require a fundamental restructuring.

“Most schools finish the syllabus by December and use January-February for revision. Now, we’re talking about finishing everything earlier and preparing to teach again for a second round,” said Harika Reddy, a teacher from Hyderabad. “The model may work on paper, but operationalising it is a massive shift.”

Private schools may still find ways to adapt, but educators from government schools voiced concerns over resources. “Our classrooms are overcrowded, and teacher-student ratios are stretched already. Adding two exam cycles with limited support is not practical for all institutions,” said a teacher from Kendriya Vidyalaya, requesting anonymity.

Parents and Students: Divided Reactions

Parents had mixed views. While some appreciated the flexibility, others feared it might make the academic year longer and more draining.

“My son has anxiety around exams. The idea that he gets a second chance is great, but what if he feels pressured to always use it, even if he doesn’t need it?” asked Aarti Menon, a parent of a 9th grader.

Students, too, expressed uncertainty. “It’s good to know we get another chance, but I’m worried it might become an expected thing. Like, even if you get 85, people might say, ‘Why didn’t you try again for 95?’” said Aarav Sharma, a Class 9 student from St. Andrews High School.

Call for Phased Implementation and Mental Health Safeguards

Educators and psychologists are urging CBSE to pilot the new format in select schools before rolling it out nationwide, and to introduce mental health support as part of the reform.

“If we’re changing the exam model, we must also change how we support students,” said Dr. Sethi. “This includes regular counselling, awareness workshops, and a system that normalizes effort over perfection.”

While CBSE has signalled that the format could eventually extend to Class 12, experts stress the importance of first measuring the impact on Class 10 students before scaling up.

At a Glance: CBSE’s Two-Exam Format for Class 10 (Starting 2026)

• First board exam: Mid-February

• Optional improvement exam: May (up to 3 subjects)

• Best score per subject will be retained

• Internal assessments conducted before first exam only

• Special provisions for sportspersons, winter-bound schools, and CWSN

As India’s largest education board prepares to implement this sweeping change, the conversation around it highlights a critical need for thoughtful execution, school readiness, and student mental well-being.