Official Practical and Theory Exam Timelines
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has finalized the operational schedule for Class 10 and Class 12 board assessments.
For winter-bound schools (situated in snow-bound areas that remain closed in January), practical exams and internal assessments commence in early November and conclude by early December.
For all regular schools across India and internationally, practical examinations will be conducted between 1 January and 14 February 2027. Annual board theory exams begin on 15 February 2027 across all schools.
- Winter-Bound Schools Practicals: Early November to early December
- Regular Schools Practicals: 1 January to 14 February 2027
- Theory Board Examinations: Commencing 15 February 2027
- Official Question Papers (SQPs): Available on cbseacademic.nic.in
Mandatory 50% Competency-Based Questions Policy
Under the National Education Policy (NEP), CBSE has mandated that 50% of total question marks in Class 10 and 12 papers will be competency-based.
These questions appear as real-world case studies, data interpretation problems, and assertion-reason formats. Direct recall and theoretical rote questions make up only a small fraction of the paper.
- Competency-Based Questions (Case studies, Assertion-Reason): 50% Weightage
- Selected Response (Multiple Choice Questions): 20% Weightage
- Constructed Response (Short & Long Analytical Answers): 30% Weightage
Pre-Board Triage and Board Revision Strategy
Download the official Sample Question Papers (SQPs) and step-by-step marking schemes from cbseacademic.nic.in. The marking schemes reveal how examiners award partial credit for formulas, diagrams, and correct SI units.
Treat pre-board exams as diagnostic assessments. Identify chapters where accuracy falls below 70% and focus your whiteboard video revision on those specific derivations and numericals.
FAQ
When do CBSE regular school practical exams begin?
Practical exams and internal project evaluations for regular-session CBSE schools begin on 1 January and conclude by mid-February.
When do CBSE Class 10 and 12 theory exams begin?
Theory examinations for both Class 10 and Class 12 begin on 15 February 2027.
Where can I find authentic CBSE sample papers with marking schemes?
Official sample papers and marking schemes are published on cbseacademic.nic.in under the SQP section.