The wait is over, and the rules have changed! For the first time, CBSE is implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommendation of holding two board exams in a single academic year. Whether you are aiming for a perfect 100 or looking to sec
Starting February 2026, students no longer have to bet everything on a single result.
Phase 1 (Main Exam): Mandatory for all. Scheduled from February 17 to March 11, 2026.
Phase 2 (Optional/Improvement): Scheduled for May 15 to June 1, 2026.
The Best-of-Two Policy: If you sit for both, CBSE will consider your higher score in each subject for the final marksheet.
Important Note: To qualify for Phase 2, you must appear for at least 3 subjects in the Phase 1 main exam.
The paper pattern has shifted away from rote memorization toward real-world application. Here is how your 80-mark theory paper is divided:
| Component | Weightage | Type of Questions |
| Competency-Based | 50% | Case studies, source-based questions, and MCQs. |
| Objective Type | 20% | Direct MCQs and fact-based short questions. |
| Descriptive | 30% | Short and Long answers (Analysis & Interpretation). |
Mathematics (Feb 17): Focus on the NCERT Exemplar. With 50% competency questions, purely solving the textbook isn't enough; you must understand the "why" behind every theorem.
Science (Feb 25): Practice ray diagrams and circuit numericals daily. Case-based questions often come from the Life Processes and Effects of Current units.
Social Science (Mar 7): Bullet points are your best friend. Use Brainers Hub’s "Map-Master" drills to secure those easy 5 marks in Geography and History.
English (Feb 21): Practice analytical paragraphs based on charts/data—a high-weightage area in the new pattern.
The 2026 exam isn't just a test of memory; it’s a test of Stamina and Strategy.
Dual-Phase Mock Tests: Our platform offers separate test series for Phase 1 and Phase 2, allowing you to fine-tune your performance.
Competency-Question Bank: Access over 2,000+ case-study and assertion-reason questions engineered by Rayinfotechs’ AI to match the CBSE difficulty level.
Error Analytics: Don't just see a score. Our dashboard tells you if your "Reading Comprehension" is slower than the national average or if you lose marks in "Numerical Steps."
The two-exam system is designed to reduce your stress, not increase your workload. Use the first attempt in February as your primary target, and keep the May window as a "safety net."
Ready to start? Download the Brainers Hub 2026 Study Planner and join our live doubt-clearing sessions today!
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