Instead of academic coaching, this support focuses on helping students manage exam stress, stay balanced and feel confident while studying.

What Support is Available

CBSE’s counselling support has three parts: a helpline that is open around the clock, weekday tele-counselling with trained counsellors, and online resources on the CBSE website.

1. 24×7 Toll-Free Counselling Helpline: 1800-11-8004

The board has launched a toll-free CBSE free counselling helpline that students and parents can call any time, day or night. The helpline works in Hindi and English, and you don’t need a counsellor on the line to use it. The phone system gives guidance on:

• ways to prepare for exams without feeling overwhelmed
• managing time across subjects
• answers to common questions students ask during exam preparation
• where to find important CBSE contact numbers

Moreover, this service can be accessed at anytime during the day or night. Which means that students can call whenever they feel stuck or anxious. This is especially helpful when stress peaks late in the evening or early morning.

2. Weekday Counselling Calls

In addition to the helpline, CBSE has arranged tele-counselling on weekdays:

• Days: Monday to Friday
• Time: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Both students and parents can have a direct conversation with trained professionals. This panel comprises school principals, counsellors who work in schools, special educators and qualified psychologists. A total of 73 counsellors are available with 61 of them from India who understand the importance of such exams and others are from places like Nepal, Japan, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

Whatever the issue may be, be it exam stress, anxiety,or stress about revision, talking to a counsellor helps. They provide simple and practical suggestions that can help students feel calm and in control. The best part is that parents can also be a part of these conversations. This helps them support their child in ways that feel right for their situation.

3. Online Resources on Stress and Exam Preparation

For many students, exams = stress. Some students talk about it with their friends, family or teachers and many keep it all to themselves. Knowing how difficult these things can get, CBSE has shared some simple materials online as part of CBSE Psycho-Social Counselling during exams. It covers things like handling stress, planning revision, and looking after your emotional health while studying.

Go through the resources one by one when you feel like you need help. Try suggestions you feel will be helpful to you. Come back later if something feels useful. Even small changes like studying properly for a while and then actually taking a break can make long days feel less draining.

Why This Support Matters

From a counsellor’s point of view, exams are not only about preparation. They are also about how students are coping with stress. Stress can affect sleep, mood, and focus. Students often overwhelm themselves with strict schedules that do not allow for breaks or intense studying sessions, and once that happens, they think that they are not studying well. For them, it would be wise to understand that a calm mind helps them to focus better and retain information better too. Although, it can become easy to feel that the solutions provided by counsellors are magic solutions. They are small supports or ways to organise your day, reminders to pause, and encouragement to talk about what’s bothering you instead of keeping quiet.

Many students feel lighter just after one honest conversation. Parents, too, feel unsure at this time. They want to help but don’t always know how. Guidance helps them stay patient and supportive instead of reacting out of worry.

How Students and Parents Can Use CBSE Psycho-Social Counselling

Save the helpline number
Keep 1800-11-8004 saved. When things feel too much, speaking to someone can help you become grounded.

Use the counselling hours if needed
Stress often does not go away, and starts to affect sleep, concentration and memory. It becomes important that one talks to a counsellor. They will help in making things manageable

Keep talking at home
this is a time when both students and parents feel stressed out and on edge. Students should not feel they have to hide their stress for the fear of being judged or scolded by their parents. Parents should try to listen calmly, even if they don’t have all the answers right away.

Exams are important, but they are only one part of a student’s life. Marks matter, but well-being matters more in the long run. If stress feels heavy, reaching out for support is a sensible step. CBSE’s counselling services are there so students and parents don’t have to handle everything on their own.

The post CBSE Psycho-Social Counselling 2026 for Class 10 and 12 Students appeared first on AASOKA.

These are some of the last minute preparation strategies for optimum preparation.

Identify High-Weightage Topics

Begin with your CBSE, ISC or State Board curriculum. Go through the chapter-wise marks distribution once again. Most subjects have patterns that are predictable. For example, long answers often come from major chapters, while smaller units carry short questions. This will make last minute revision easier when before exams. Remember the marking scheme, as that keeps reminding you of the topics that need more focus. Through this, you would also have understood how detailed your answers need to be to score high marks, especially for subjects like History, Economics, and Physics. If you still have any confusion, ask your teachers for clarity.

How to Make a Realistic Study Schedule

Right before the board exams, your study schedule should be simple. You don’t need long hours since this is the time for revision and not learning new concepts. You only need consistency, and a basic plan could include:

• 40-50 minute study blocks
• Short breaks between sessions
• Tougher subjects in the first half of the day
• Lighter revision in the evening

If you want a timetable for board exam revision, begin with the subjects that take a lot of time, or you find more challenging. Spend more time on chapters where you feel you might lose marks. Keep one hour daily only for revising formulas, maps, or diagrams.

Conceptual Clarity

Memorising answers may feel quick and easy, but it does not help much in boards. Since NEP 2020 has established that the focus should be on competency-based questions rather than questions that test memory. This means that for Class 10, this is the bifurcation:

• Competency-based questions (50%): Case-based, source-based, and other application-oriented formats that test higher-order thinking skills.
• Objective-type questions (20%): Primarily Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).
• Descriptive questions (30%): Short and long answer questions that require analytical thinking and detailed explanations.

Marks distribution for Class 12 CBSE Board Exams:

• Competency-based questions (30%): Case-based and source-based questions, including HOTS and application-oriented items.
• Objective-type questions (20%): MCQs, assertion-reasoning questions, and fill-in-the-blanks.
• Short and long answer questions (50%): Concept-driven descriptive questions that assess depth of understanding.

Competency-based questions mean that questions will test your understanding of a concept rather than how well you remember facts. For subjects like Accountancy, Economics, and Physics, solving in-text questions helps build clarity. For English, practise sample papers to learn how to organise long answers. For subjects like Biology, label diagrams and mind maps. Simple techniques improve recall during the exam.

Use Previous Years’ Question Papers and Sample Papers

If you attempt one paper every alternate day, it will help you with managing your time greatly. Try writing one paper every two days. Sit for the full duration as if you are in the examination hall. After finishing, check your answers using the marking scheme. Note the questions where you lost marks and revise them again. This method improves accuracy, speed, and confidence. It also prepares you for the pressure of the actual exam.

The Final Countdown: Your 30-Day Class 12 Board Exam Preparation Strategy

A last 30-day prep plan for Boards should be simple:

• First 10 days – Revision of all chapters
• Next 10 days – Solve sample papers and mock tests
• Last 10 days – Revise weak areas and correct mistakes

It would not be wise to study from new books. Stick to your textbooks, class notes, and school materials. Using too many resources will slow you down. During this phase, short daily revisions work better than long, irregular sessions.

Analyse Mistakes to Turn Errors into Board Success

Your sample papers and mock test papers marks guide your next steps. After each test:

• Check which questions took too long
• Identify repeated mistakes
• Mark weak chapters in a separate notebook
• Revise them during the last week

This simple tracking method makes your preparation more focused. By the time your board exams arrive, you already know common mistakes that are made and how you can avoid them.

Prioritise Well-being

Your preparation is not just about books; it’s about strength. Remember to sleep at least 7-8 hours every night, as this is when your brain processes and retains information and memories. Take short, screen-free breaks away from your study desk, as a calm and steady mind absorbs far more than an exhausted one. Maintain a positive mindset, scores in board exams are important, which is very normal, but your ability to handle that stress determines your final success.

Do you know the most common mistakes to avoid in board exams to gain full marks? Read here!

The post Class 12 Board Exam Preparation Strategy: A 30-Day Plan appeared first on AASOKA.

It is important to know how to not lose marks. As losing half a mark here and half a mark there might not sound big but the total marks lost catches up. Read below to find out the hidden ways to not lose those marks.

1. Answering MCQs

MCQs are a big part of CBSE Board exams 2026. Many students have the habit of writing the answer as ‘Q1. A, Q2.B’ and so on. The correct way to write the response is the following format:

The Correct Format: Question number + correct option (a, b, c, or d) + the complete option
Example: Answer 4: (c) It turns grey due to formation of silver metal

2. Subjective Answers (Answers that require proof)

For many students, answering the question is limited to writing the formula and writing a few steps followed by correct answers. However, this is where most students lose marks as they hurriedly try to answer such questions. Solving the equation or the sum is not the only part but writing the formula, showing all the steps is as crucial. Each of these things carry marks. The correct way to answer such a question is given as follows:

Ans. 2: 

Given: List the values provided in the question.

To Find/Prove: State the objective.

Formula: Place the formula in a box or underline it.

Calculation: Show every logical step without skipping.

Final Answer: Clearly state the units and box the final result.

This will ensure that formula, steps and the final answer are clearly visible. It would be easy for the examiner to allocated exact marks to the answer without skipping out anything. So, even if you have answered incorrectly, writing the steps and giving the correct formula will still get you some marks.

3. Diagrams – Construction

Diagrams are an important part of the exams. Simply practicing drawing it or construction it (Geometry) is not enough. It is important that you label it properly and write what you have drawn/constructed below it.

4. Diagrams, Maps and more

Diagrams are a part where you can score full marks really easily. Not writing what the diagram is about or a few details might make you lose marks. Always draw with a pencil and label it properly in neat writing. The same rule applies to maps and graphs.

5. Correcting Mistakes

In subjects like Maths or physics, it so happens that while you are solving a problem, you realise that you used the wrong formula or made a calculation mistake midway. Instead of scribbling it out, cross it out with only one or two lines. Refrain from scribbling all over it.

Additional tip – If you don’t know the answer to a problem, try to at least write the formula.

These are some of the ways that will ensure that you do not lose out on marks, even 1/2 a mark is important. Keep these tips in mind to avoid making mistakes in board exams.

Key Takeaways

Read to not make these mistakes in board exams to score perfect marks.

1. In MCQs, write the question number, option letter, and the complete option, not just A, B, C, or D.
2. In numericals, always write the formula, show all steps, and clearly mark the final answer to secure marks.
3. Diagrams must be neatly drawn, correctly labelled, and briefly described to earn full marks.
4. Diagrams, maps, and graphs must be neatly drawn in pencil, correctly labelled, and briefly described to earn full marks.
5. Cross out mistakes with one or two lines instead of scribbling to keep your work neat.

The post 5 Common Mistakes to Avoid in CBSE Board Exams 2026 appeared first on AASOKA.

The Board exams for both classes have been scheduled to begin on 17 February 2026. The final date sheet has been released 110 days before the start of the exams, a first for CBSE. Early release of the date sheet will give schools, students and teachers plenty of time to plan and prepare effectively for the 2026 CBSE Board exams.

What is the new CBSE Two-Exam Policy from 2026?

In line with NEP 2020 recommendations, CBSE will conduct two Board Examinations for Class 10 from 2026 onwards. This brings relief to Class 10 students as students will get two chances in a year to appear for the Board Exams. This is a great opportunity for those students who wish to improve their exam performance.

By introducing the two-exam system, CBSE aims to reduce exam stress and anxiety among students. Furthermore, this will also help students to move beyond rote memorisation. This system also supports the NEP’s goal of flexible and holistic assessments, so that students are not limited by one final exam in a year.

How will the two CBSE Class 10 exams in 2026 work?

Under the new system, CBSE will hold two Board exams for Class 10 students within the same academic session.

• Students can appear in both exams.
• The best score from the two will be considered as the final result.
• Schools will plan internal assessments and teaching schedules around these two exam cycles.

Consequently, this step aims to help students prepare better, manage exam pressure, and give equal importance to concept understanding and application-based learning.

When will the CBSE Board Exams 2026 start?

A tentative date sheet was shared earlier on 24^th October 2025, a good 146 days in advance. It was based on the registration data from classes IX and XI. The final date sheet has been prepared using the confirmed List of Candidates (LOC) submitted by the schools.

With the release of the final date sheet, CBSE has confirmed that the Class 10 and Class 12 Board Examinations 2026 will begin on 17 February 2026. The time of the exam will remain the same, i.e. 10:30 a.m.

CBSE Class 10 Board Exam Datesheet

English Communicative/Language and Literature – 21 February 2026, Saturday

Hindi Course A/Course B – 2 March 2026, Monday

Mathematics Standard/Basic – 17 February 2026, Tuesday

Social Science – 7 March 2026, Saturday

Science – 25 February 2025, Wednesday

Computer Applications – 27 February 2026, Friday

Sanskrit – 28 February 2026, Saturday

CBSE Class 12 Board Exam Datesheet

English Core/Elective – 12 March 2026, Thursday

Hindi Core/Elective – 16 March 2026, Monday

Mathematics / Applied Mathematics – 9 March 2026, Monday

Physics – 20 February 2026, Friday

Chemistry – 28 February 2026, Saturday

Biology – 27 March 2026, Friday

History – 30 March 2026, Monday

Political Science – 23 March 2026, Monday

Geography – 26 February 2026, Thursday

Psychology – 5 March 2026, Thursday

Sociology – 4 April 2026, Saturday

Business Studies – 28 March 2026, Saturday

Economics – 18 March 2026, Wednesday

Accountancy – 24 February 2026, Tuesday

Informatics Practices/Computer Science, Information Technology – 25 March 2026, Wednesday

How was the CBSE 2026 Date Sheet prepared?

CBSE considered several important factors while preparing the 2026 Bard Exam Schedule.

• An ample gap between major subjects for both class 10 and class 12.
• Making sure teachers are available during the evaluation process so that non-board classes are not disrupted.
• Coordination with agencies like NTA so that dates of entrance exam schedules for exams such as JEE (Mains) do not overlap.
• Avoiding timetable clashes among 40,000+ subject combinations across schools.

What are the benefits of the early CBSE Date Sheet release?

There are several benefits to releasing the exam date sheet 110 days before CBSE board exams begin. Some of the benefits include:

For students: They can plan for maximum efficiency, reducing exam stress and anxiety. This will, in turn, lead to improved performance. Class 12 students will be able to focus on their board exams as well as exams like JEE (Mains), NEET etc.

For teachers: They will not stay away from schools for long durations.

For schools: They can manage academic and other activities without disruption to other classes. Designated schools as exam centres will also have more than enough time to prepare logistics.

Additional update for JEE (Main) applicants

National Testing Agency (NTA) will now ask students to provide their class XI registration number while filing JEE (Main) application form to avoid scheduling conflicts. To make this process easier, schools have been asked to share the registration numbers with students applying for JEE (Main) 2026.

• CBSE Board Exams 2026 start: 17 February 2026
• Two Board exams: Applicable for Class 10 only (from 2026 onwards)
• Date sheet released: 110 days in advance
• Benefits: Early preparation, less anxiety, smooth scheduling for schools and teachers

The CBSE Board Exam Date Sheet 2026 marks a key step towards implementing the NEP 2020 reforms in assessment and academic planning. However, with an early schedule and flexible structure, students now have more time, clarity, and opportunity to perform their best.

FAQs on CBSE 2026 Board Exams and Date Sheet

1. When will the CBSE Board Exams 2026 start?
   CBSE Board Exams 2026 will begin from 17 February 2026 for both Class 10 and Class 12.
2. What is the new CBSE two-board exam policy from 2026?
   From 2026, Class 10 students will have two chances to take their Board exams. Their best score from the two exams will be considered final.
3. How to check CBSE 2026 date sheet officially?
   You can go to cbse(.)gov(.)in and get the date sheet for CBSE Board Exams 2026.
4. Does the CBSE two-exam rule apply to Class 12 in 2026?
   CBSE two-exam rule does not apply to Class 12. They will only have one annual Board Exams.
5. Why did CBSE release the date sheet so early?
   To help students and schools plan better, reduce exam stress, and align schedules with national entrance tests like JEE (Main) and NEET.
6. What time will the exams start?
   All CBSE Board exams will start at 10:30 a.m. (IST).
7. What should schools do for JEE (Main) applicants?
   Schools must provide the Class XI registration number to students applying for JEE (Main) to avoid exam date overlaps.

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