CBSE Practical Examination Guidelines: All You Need To Know!

<red> July 12th, 2025 <red>

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a new set of operational instructions on July 2, 2025, for conducting practical examinations with the supplementary exam cycle for Class X and XII. This is particularly important for students who were marked Repeat in Practical (RP) or Repeat in Theory and Practical (RB) after the main board exam results.

These practicals will be held across CBSE schools and centres between 10 to 15 July 2025, and the Board has made it clear that this is a non-negotiable academic requirement for applicable candidates.

Who Needs to Appear?

This circular is only applicable to compartment candidates who fall under specific categories:

• Class XII (RP): Candidates who passed theory but were marked Repeat in Practical must appear only for the practical examination in the failed subject(s).
• Class X (RB): Candidates who were marked Repeat in Theory and Practical both need to appear in both theory and practical as part of the supplementary cycle.

Note: If you're a Class X student marked Repeat in Practical (RP) only, you're not eligible for supplementary. You'll need to appear in the regular exam next year.

Exam Centres & Examiner Responsibilities

• Regular Students (X & XII): Practical exams will be conducted at the student’s own school.
• Private Candidates: These exams will be held at theory exam centres (unless the centre lacks lab facilities, in which case CBSE will re-assign them).

Class XII:

• External examiners will be appointed by the CBSE’s regional office.
• No school is allowed to change or appoint their own examiner.
• Observers may also be deployed by the regional office for added monitoring.
  
  

Class X:

• Practical exam will be conducted internally by the school (no external examiner required).

Upload of Marks and Documentation

• Schools must use CBSE-supplied answer books for all practicals.
• No physical submission of answer books is required. Marks will be considered final once uploaded.
• All marks must be uploaded the same day the practical exam is conducted—CBSE will not accept any edits or re-submissions later.
• Schools must download and retain the confirmation copy of uploaded marks for official records.

What Students Must Do

Students eligible for the supplementary practicals are expected to:

• Report to their designated exam centre as per schedule.
• Carry the admit card for July 2025 exam and a copy of their previous result.
• Be prepared for hands-on practicals and viva, as per the syllabus.
• Clarify subject combinations and schedule with school authorities before July 10.

Important Notes for Schools

• Schools must coordinate with the Regional Office for Class XII practicals to get external examiner details.
• Ensure only eligible candidates (RP for XII, RB for X) are allowed to appear.
• Lab infrastructure must be prepared in advance to avoid delays.
• No delay in mark uploading will be tolerated; daily upload is mandatory.

This July 2025 guideline ensures that students who failed practical components get a timely and fair opportunity to clear their compartment without waiting an entire academic year. With tight timelines and stricter evaluation processes, CBSE aims to streamline supplementary practical exams with complete parity to regular assessments.

If you’re a student or school administrator dealing with a compartment case this year, ensure you’ve followed all instructions and deadlines. The July 2025 practical cycle is brief, so proactive communication with your exam centre is crucial.

This isn’t just a second chance - it’s a structured opportunity to improve your academic record without waiting an entire year. Make it count.

<red> March 13th, 2023 <red>

Guidelines for Practical Examination of Private Students

CBSE has released the guidelines for practical examinations for private students in respect of the following categories.

• Students of 2022 & 2021 whose marks of practical subjects are not available due to repeat in practical / repeat in theory & practical both/ absent.
• Students of 2020 and before, who have applied in full subjects in private category in their respective practical subjects.

No project/ internal assessment will be conducted in respect of the subjects not having practical components. The marks of project/ internal assessment will be computed on the basis of marks obtained in theory exam in the current examination 2023. 

The following may be noted by all concerned for further necessary action:

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Must for Students - The students/ examinees shall contact their examination centres without fail with a copy of their previous result/mark sheet and admit card of the current examination 2023.

Also, note the date and time of the practical examination given by the examination centre and report for the practical examination at the examination centre on time.