Students React to CBSE Class 10 Maths 2026: ‘Difficult and Lengthy,’ But Second Exam Offers Hope

Every board examination carries weight, but Mathematics often carries more than most. The CBSE Class 10 Mathematics board exam 2026, conducted on Tuesday, left many students describing the paper as lengthy and moderately to highly difficult, with time management emerging as the biggest challenge.

While some students found the paper balanced and in line with the syllabus, a large section reported that the exam required extensive calculations and detailed steps, making it hard to complete within the allotted three hours. Higher-order thinking questions and case-study based problems were said to be particularly time-consuming.

Many students said that even well-prepared candidates struggled to revise answers due to time pressure. However, a few described the paper as manageable for those with strong conceptual clarity and consistent practice.

New Two-Exam Structure Brings Relief

The 2026 board examinations are being conducted under CBSE’s newly introduced two-exam system, aimed at reducing exam stress and offering students an opportunity to improve performance.

Under this system:

• All students must appear for the first board examination.

• Students who wish to improve their marks can opt for a second board exam later in the academic year.

• The better of the two scores will be considered final.

• Students can choose specific subjects for reappearance.

This structure ensures that one difficult paper — such as Mathematics this year — does not permanently impact a student’s overall academic record.

Compartment and Eligibility Rules Explained

CBSE has also clarified how the second exam will function in terms of eligibility:

• The second board exam will act as both an improvement test and a compartment exam.

• Students who fail in one or two subjects can reappear in those subjects during the second exam cycle.

• Students who fail in three or more subjects will be placed under the category of “Essential Repeat”, meaning they must reattempt the full board examination next year.

• The policy aims to balance flexibility with academic discipline.

Results and What Comes Next

The results of the first board examination are expected to be announced in April 2026, while the second exam results are likely to be declared by June 2026.

Education experts believe the two-exam model marks a significant shift in India’s assessment system, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The reform seeks to reduce high-stakes pressure, promote conceptual learning, and give students a fair second opportunity.

For many students who found the Mathematics paper lengthy this year, the second exam option offers reassurance — turning what was once a one-shot system into a more flexible evaluation process.