CBSE Exam Dates 2026: Class 10 & 12 Complete Schedule

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) board exams are crucial milestones for students. This comprehensive guide provides the complete exam schedule for 2026, along with essential preparation tips and guidelines to help students excel in their CBSE examinations.

📅 CBSE Exam Schedule 2026: Overview

Important Timeline

Event	Expected Dates	Class
Practical Exams Start	January 1, 2026	10 & 12
Theory Exams Start	February 15, 2026	10 & 12
Class 10 Exams End	March 20, 2026	10
Class 12 Exams End	April 5, 2026	12
Result Declaration	May 2026	10 & 12

📋 Class 10 Exam Schedule 2026

Major Subject Dates (Tentative)

Date	Day	Subject	Code	Timing
Feb 15, 2026	Monday	Painting	049	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 18, 2026	Thursday	English	184	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 20, 2026	Saturday	Hindi Course-A	002	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 22, 2026	Monday	Science	086	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 25, 2026	Thursday	Mathematics	041	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 27, 2026	Saturday	Social Science	087	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Mar 2, 2026	Tuesday	Sanskrit	122	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

🎓 Class 12 Exam Schedule 2026

Science Stream Important Dates

Date	Day	Subject	Code	Timing
Feb 15, 2026	Monday	English Core	301	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 18, 2026	Thursday	Physics	042	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 20, 2026	Saturday	Chemistry	043	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 22, 2026	Monday	Mathematics	041	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 25, 2026	Thursday	Biology	044	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Feb 27, 2026	Saturday	Computer Science	083	10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

⏰ Exam Day Guidelines

Reporting Time & Instructions

Time	Activity	Important Notes
9:30 AM	Reporting time	Gates close at 10:00 AM
10:00 AM	Distribution of question papers	Read instructions carefully
10:15 AM	Writing time begins	15 minutes for reading paper
1:30 PM	Exam ends	Submit answer sheets

📚 Subject-wise Preparation Strategy

Mathematics (Class 10 & 12)

Preparation Plan:
• October-December: Complete syllabus
• January: Revision of all chapters
• February: Previous year papers
• March: Mock tests & weak areas

Science Subjects

Subject	Focus Areas	Weightage
Physics	Numericals, derivations	70% theory, 30% numericals
Chemistry	Organic reactions, equations	60% theory, 40% numericals
Biology	Diagrams, definitions	90% theory, 10% diagrams

🏫 Practical Exam Schedule 2026

Important Dates

Activity	Start Date	End Date	Marks Distribution
Internal Assessment	Jan 1, 2026	Jan 31, 2026	20 marks
Practical Exams	Jan 15, 2026	Feb 10, 2026	30 marks
Project Submission	Jan 31, 2026	Jan 31, 2026	20 marks

📝 Admit Card Information

Download Timeline

Practical Admit Card: December 2025
Theory Admit Card: January 2026
Re-download: Available till exam date

Details on Admit Card

Student's name and photograph
Roll number and center details
Subject codes and timings
Important instructions

🎯 Marking Scheme 2026

Class 10 Marking Pattern

Component	Marks	Total
Theory Exam	80	100
Internal Assessment	20	100

Class 12 Marking Pattern

Stream	Theory	Practical/Internal	Total
Science	70	30	100
Commerce	80	20	100
Arts	80	20	100

📱 Important Websites & Portals

Official CBSE Portals

Main Website: cbse.gov.in
Results: cbseresults.nic.in
Academic: cbseacademic.nic.in
Pariksha Sangam: parikshasangam.cbse.gov.in

⚠️ COVID-19 Guidelines (If Applicable)

Safety Protocols

Face masks mandatory
Social distancing in exam halls
Sanitization facilities available
Thermal screening at entry

📊 Previous Year Statistics

2025 Pass Percentage

Category	Class 10	Class 12
Overall Pass %	93.12%	87.33%
Girls Pass %	94.25%	88.67%
Boys Pass %	92.15%	86.19%

🎒 Essential Items for Exam Day

What to Carry

Admit Card (original)
School ID card
Blue/black ballpoint pens (2-3)
Geometry box (for Mathematics)
Water bottle (transparent)

What NOT to Carry

Electronic devices
Study material
Smart watches
Calculators (unless permitted)

📖 Study Material Recommendations

NCERT Books

Primary Source: Complete NCERT textbooks

Reference Books

Subject	Class 10	Class 12
Mathematics	RD Sharma	RS Aggarwal
Science	Lakhmir Singh	Pradeep's
English	Oswaal Papers	Previous Year Papers

⏳ Time Management During Exams

3-Hour Exam Strategy

Time Allocation:
• 00-15 min: Reading question paper
• 15-90 min: Attempt known questions
• 90-150 min: Attempt moderate questions
• 150-165 min: Review answers
• 165-180 min: Final checking

📈 Result Declaration Process

Expected Timeline

Answer Sheet Evaluation: March-April 2026
Result Preparation: April 2026
Result Declaration: May 2026
Re-evaluation: June 2026

How to Check Results

Online: cbseresults.nic.in
Via SMS: Send roll number to specific number
Through school: Physical mark sheets

🎯 Last Minute Preparation Tips

One Week Before Exams

Revise important formulas and concepts
Solve 2-3 sample papers daily
Focus on weak areas
Maintain proper sleep schedule

📝 Conclusion: Excel in CBSE 2026

The CBSE board exams are not just about academic knowledge but also about proper planning, time management, and stress management. With the right approach and consistent effort, every student can achieve excellent results.

Success Mantra for CBSE 2026:

Start preparation early and consistently
Understand concepts rather than rote learning
Regularly practice sample papers
Maintain physical and mental health
Stay positive and confident

Remember: Board exams are important, but they don't define your entire future. Give your best effort, stay calm, and believe in your preparation.

Best wishes to all CBSE students for their 2026 examinations! Stay connected with OneStopRead for the latest updates and preparation resources.