CBSE Class 10 Board Exam: Understanding the Better Marks Rule

With CBSE Class 10 second board exam results expected soon, students who appeared in both phases should understand how the best marks rule works. The policy ensures the higher score in each subject is considered for the final marksheet, giving candidates an opportunity to improve their performance without the risk of losing previously secured marks.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has introduced the Better Marks Rule as part of the new two-board examination system for Class 10, which will be implemented from the 2026 academic session. The rule gives students an opportunity to improve their board exam performance without the risk of losing marks. According to the new system, students can appear for the two board examinations in the same academic year. The first exam remains compulsory for all Class 10 students; the second exam is optional. It is meant for those students who want to improve their marks or clear failed subjects. This year as well, both the exams have been conducted. Students who have taken both exams must be aware of the better marks rule. The biggest advantage of the Better Marks Rule is that CBSE will consider only the higher score obtained in each subject while preparing the final result.

How the better marks rule works

Students will first appear for the regular board examination conducted at the end of the academic session. After the results are declared, those who are not satisfied with their scores can choose to appear for the second board examination in selected subjects. In case a student takes both the examinations, CBSE will compare the marks gained in each of the subject. The higher score will be recorded in the final marksheet. For example, if a student scores 72 marks in Mathematics in the first examination and 85 in the second examination, the final marksheet will show 85. However, if the student scores lower in the second attempt, the marks from the first examination will remain unchanged. This means students can take the second examination without worrying about losing the marks they had already secured.

Rule applies separately for every subject

The Better Marks Rule is applied on a subject-wise basis. A student may improve marks in one subject while retaining the original score in another. For example, if the second attempt results in better marks in Science but lower marks in English, CBSE will record the improved Science marks and retain the earlier English score. The final marksheet will therefore include the best score obtained in each subject across the two examinations.

A move to reduce exam pressure

The Better Marks rule, a key feature of the CBSE’s new assessment system aligns completely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The board aims to reduce the stress associated with a single high-stakes examination by giving students another opportunity to perform better within the same academic year. Earlier, students who wanted to improve their marks or failed in a subject often had to wait for supplementary examinations or the next academic session. The new system allows them to improve their performance without losing valuable time.