Preparing for CBSE’s Dual-Exam Regime: What Parents & Students Must Do

Rohit Malekar
Sep 25
3 min read

If you’re a CBSE parent, you’ve probably already heard the news. Starting February 17, the board will roll out its new dual-exam regime for Class 10: two possible exam windows in one year.

On paper, it sounds simple: more flexibility, less pressure. But for families, it also means a big shift in how we plan, study, and manage stress. Here’s what you need to know, and how you can prepare without burning out.

Why This Change?

For decades, the CBSE board exam has been a one-shot, all-or-nothing test. One bad day—illness, anxiety, or even just bad luck—could overshadow a whole year of effort.

The new regime changes that.

Phase 1 (February): mandatory for everyone.
Phase 2 (May/June): optional, for improvement or compartment cases, in up to three subjects.
Final result: CBSE will take the better of the two scores in each subject. Internal assessment will be added once, not repeated.

In short: your child is guaranteed a second chance if needed, without penalty.

The Upside (and the Catch)

The upside is clear: less “one-shot” pressure, more room to recover if things go wrong.

But there’s a catch. With exams starting a full month earlier (Feb 17), the school year gets compressed. No more long revision tailwinds in March. Students will need to be exam-ready sooner and stay ready across both windows.

That means continuous learning, not last-minute cramming.

What Parents Should Watch Out For

Study pacing: Don’t wait for the school to set the tone. Ask for a dual-exam roadmap: a subject-wise plan that finishes major modules well before February.
Internal assessments: Remember, internal marks count only once, but they’re a signal. If your child struggles here, that’s a red flag to intervene early.
Managing setbacks: Phase 1 scores aren’t the end of the story. Use them as diagnostic feedback. Weak in math? Aim Phase 2 at math only. No need to redo all subjects.
Mental wellness: More exams can mean more stress. Watch for warning signs: irritability, fatigue, loss of focus. Breaks, exercise, and open conversations matter as much as extra coaching.

A Sample Approach

Here’s a way to think about the year:

June–September: Build strong foundations. Don’t skip basics.
October–December: Start revision in cycles. Every new chapter, revisit two old ones.
January–early February: Mock tests, past papers, time management drills.
Phase 1 in Feb: Treat it as the “main exam”, because it is.
Post-exam April: Celebrate, then calmly review results.
Phase 2 in May/June: Target only weak subjects. Short, sharp prep.

This way, the year feels like a series of manageable modules instead of one looming mountain.

The SchoolDoor Point of View

At SchoolDoor, we see this as an opportunity, not a burden. Done right, the dual-exam system:

pushes schools to pace syllabus better,
gives students a fairer shot at improvement,
and helps parents shift from “exam panic” to steady guidance.

But success depends on partnership. Schools must share clear plans. Parents must track progress without adding pressure. And students must learn to see exams not as judgment days, but as checkpoints in their journey.

Final Takeaway

The board exam is no longer a cliff edge; it’s a two-step bridge.

Help your child walk it by:

asking for a roadmap from school,
breaking the syllabus into monthly chunks,
treating Phase 1 feedback as a gift,
and protecting their well-being along the way.

This is new for all of us, parents, schools, and students alike. But with a bit of planning, we can turn “two exams a year” from double stress into double safety.