The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now hold two Class 10 board exams. This new system aims to reduce stress for students and give them a chance to improve their marks. Dr. Ram Singh , Principal of DPS Mathura Road, shared this update with Shiksha, explaining the new reform. He made it clear that the second exam is only for improving scores, not to be treated as the main attempt.
Dr. Singh emphasized that students should consider the first board exam as their primary attempt. The second exam is designed to offer flexibility. It helps students who might have faced difficulties during the first exam, such as falling sick, having personal problems, or simply not performing well on a specific day. He advised students to take the first board exam seriously and use the second chance only to make their scores better.
Why Two Exams Help Students
The Class 10 board exam stage often brings a lot of pressure, anxiety, and expectations from parents and society. Introducing a second exam helps ease some of this burden. If a student feels unwell or very nervous during their first exam, it can affect their performance badly. With a second opportunity, they can retake the exam to improve their scores. This reduces the overall stress, as students know they have a backup if the first attempt doesn't go as planned.
This change encourages students to focus on understanding their subjects better rather than just worrying about one high-stakes exam. Knowing there is a chance for improvement can build confidence. It allows students to show their true knowledge and abilities, even if their initial performance was not their best.
Better Chances for Class 11 Admissions
Marks scored in Class 10 board exams are crucial for getting into desired streams in Class 11, such as Science or Commerce. Admissions for these streams often begin shortly after Class 10 results are announced. Good marks are important to meet the cut-off scores set by schools.
Dr. Singh pointed out that if a student cannot meet the required marks for their preferred stream due to unforeseen problems during the first exam, the second board exam offers a valuable chance. By improving their scores in the second attempt, students can secure admission to the Class 11 stream of their choice. However, he cautioned against treating the second exam as the primary one, as this could go against the reform's main goal of offering an improvement option.
Focus on Practical Learning
The Indian education system is also moving towards new ways of teaching and testing. Dr. Singh believes that India needs an education system tailored to its unique population, diversity, and social conditions. Copying models from other countries may not always be the best approach.
The current educational changes encourage students to apply concepts through problem-solving and case study questions. This means students are expected to use what they learn in real-life situations, rather than just memorizing definitions. This method helps students develop strong analytical thinking skills. It also helps reduce unnecessary exam pressure, as the focus shifts from rote learning to a deeper understanding of subjects. This new approach prepares students better for future challenges and careers.
