CBSE Exam Pattern 2026-27: Class 10 & 12 Marking Scheme Explained

The CBSE has been consistently moving towards competency-based questions since 2024-25 and continues for the 2026-27 session. So if you are wondering whether the exam pattern has changed, the short answer is NO. The weightage of the question types remains the same. The only thing that has changed is the exam structure itself. It’s split into two exam formats applicable for Class 10 in the same academic year.

This page explains the question pattern for the current session and all changes to the remaining sessions for 2026-27.

Key Changes in the 2027 Board Exam Pattern

The following changes are included for the next session of 2026-27.

• The proportion of competency-based questions is unchanged from 2024-25.
• The percentage of MCQs is unchanged at 20%.
• The percentage of short and long questions has remained steady at 30%.
• There will be two attempts for the Board Exam in Class 10 (Board Exam 1 + optional Board Exam 2).
• There is no change for Class 12, which still has only one board exam a year.
• A 9-point grading system has been introduced for Class 10.

Does the CBSE exam pattern change for 2026-27?

No significant structure change. The paper pattern, which is in effect from 2024-25 (50% competency-based, 20% MCQ, 30% short/long answer), remains unchanged for 2026-27. The mark distribution for question types holds for those who have prepared with the 2024-25 or 2025-26 sample paper.

For Class 10, 2026-27’s CBSE revision is not about changing the question pattern but about how many times students sit for the board exam

What’s the Two-Exam System for Class 10: The Shift

This is the largest transformation that currently impacts Class 10 students. With the two‑exam system, CBSE has made the most significant change for Class 10 students in 2026‑27. While the question pattern remains competency‑based as before, the real transformation lies in exam frequency. 

• Board Exam 1: It’s a compulsory exam for all Class 10 students between February and March.
• Board Exam 2: It’s an optional one for up to three subjects, conducted in May. Only students who've appeared for Board Exam 1 are eligible.
• The higher score of the two attempts in each subject is used for the final result.
• Both attempts follow the same syllabus and question format, and there is no separate or easier version of the Board Exam 2.
• Class 12 still has a single annual board exam, as before.
• This system was implemented for the academic year 2025-26 and will remain the same for 2026-27.

What’s the Revised CBSE Exam Pattern for 2026-27

• Higher Emphasis on Competency-Based Questions: This remains 50% of the overall theory score and tests a student's competency in applying learning to real-life situations, such as case studies, source-based questions, data analysis, and problem-solving.
• Focusing on multiple-choice questions (MCQs): MCQs will remain 20% of the exam weight. These examinations measure how well students grasp fundamental ideas and how effectively they remember important details.
• Less Emphasis on Short/Long Questions: The short and long answer questions remain 30% of the exam, with lower relative weight than competency-based questions.

FAQs

Q1. Is it necessary to appear for CBSE Class 10 Board Exam II?

Ans. No. Only Board Exam 1 (typically held in Feb-March) is compulsory for all Class 10 students. Board Exam 2 (May) is optional – only appear for it if you want to improve marks or clear a compartment exam.

Q2. Will the internal assessment/practicals be repeated for the Class 10 second board exam? 

Ans. No. Practical and internal assessment marks are recorded once, before the first exam, and the same marks apply for both attempts.

Q3. What is the release date of the Compartment/Second Exam LOC (List of Candidates)? 

Ans. Once Board Exam 1 results have been announced, CBSE gives schools a fixed timeframe to submit student information. You must check your school's timeline directly, as there is no fixed calendar date.

Q4. What happens if I fail in the second exam attempt for Class 10?

Ans. If a student fails to pass either of the two board examinations, he/she will be deemed to have failed in that session, with no third attempt available in the same session.