CBSE Class 10 & 12 Board Exams 2026: Tentative Date Sheets Released and Complete Guide

September 24, 2025

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) just dropped the provisional exam timetables for the Class 10 and 12 board exams in 2026. It's a heads-up for students, parents, and teachers so everyone can get their act together and plan how to tackle the studies. With around 4.5 million students taking these exams nationwide, it's a pretty big deal in a kid's education. These exams are really important for the High School students.

Inside this article, we will tell what the provisional plans are as well as some tips and advice to help students shine in the exams.

Provisional Examination Plan

CBSE is doing something a bit different in 2026, they set up two sessions for the Class 10 and 12 board exams. The idea is to give students some wiggle room but still have a solid way to gauge how well they are doing.

Class 10 Plan:

Session One: Feb 17 – March 6, 2026

Session Two: May 15 – Jun 1, 2026

Class 12 Plan:

Session One: Feb 17 – March 6, 2026

Session Two: May 15 – Jun 1, 2026

Having two sessions means students can pick the one that fits best with how ready they feel or what's going on in their lives. It's especially good for those who might take a bit more time to get ready for subjects that are tough.

Subjects and Number of Students

The CBSE exams check up on tons of topics across different branches of learning like Science, Commerce, and Arts with a subject count as high as 204. A few important ones:
Science Branch: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and so on.
Commerce Branch: Accounting, Economics
Arts Branch: History and all of its fellows.
Also, there are studies of skills for jobs as well as studies of areas meaning a full check of how students are doing in school overall. These tests will be held not only only in India but also in 26 other countries. This makes CBSE one of the biggest boards regarding global stretch.

How the Grading System Works and When to Expect Grades

CBSE wants everyone to get their grades reasonably fast.
Grading Begins: Approximately 10 days after each subject exam.
Grading Ends: Within 12 days of the start of assessment.
For example if the Class 12 Physics exam goes on February 20, 2026, assessment will go around March 3 and end by March 15. This fast track assures kids to get their results quickly.

Advice for Well Exam Preparation

Doing well in board exams means having good study habits, practicing a lot, and using time properly. Here are some tips from the experts:

1. Plan a Study that is Believable

Put more study hours to heavy subject.
Use the provisional dates to organize your study schedule.

2. Work Through Past Questions

Working through former questions is useful in getting the feel of questions that will come.
Concentrate on managing time while practicing. This will make practice like the actual exam.

3. Put to good use web tools.

CBSE uploads sample papers and guides on its website.
Many websites have lectures and explain difficult concepts.

4. Work over old works and make short notes.

Make short notes for quick study especially for subjects as History.
Regular reading helps memorizing main math laws and concepts.

5. Look after oneself both mentally and physically.

Follow a regular time schedule by maintaining sleep and eat properly.
Avoid reading quickly at the last moment. It can make one stressed and can lesson efficiency.

Questions that are Queried about often.

Q1: Is the provisional data the last one?
Answer: False, this data is is provisional and will be changed on request from schools.

Q2: May students pick which of the sessions to pick?
Answer: It is a yes, students may do this.

Q3: Would practices take place alongside normal papers?
Answer: Lab exams take place way earlier.

Q4: Are extra exams are on the schedule as well?
Answer: Sports papers or extra papers take place from February 17 to July of 2026.

Key Points to Memorize

This data gives you an idea of how the final schedule that is to be will be built.

Stick to the rules that school sets for registration.

Following a stable routine and concentrating on the subjects one is weak may strongly better grades.

A parent must motivate their child and give support whenever required to keep pressure less.

Ending part of the article.

The CBSE provisional data drop kicks the phase of students study and prep time. To get what the schedule means and putting subjects in the order can maximize exam time.

Through sound planning students may do well on the CBSE board exams. So stay updated.

References: