CBSE Compartment Rules for Class 10th & 12th Exams

Failing a CBSE board exam can be stressful, and students often face guilt, self-doubt, and pressure from people around them. However, failing one or two subjects doesn’t mean the end of the world. To help students move forward without losing an entire year, the Central Board Of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts compartment exams. These exams allow class 10 and 12 students who have failed in one or two subjects to reappear and clear them. This ensures that students get a second chance to pass without having to repeat the entire academic session. Understanding the CBSE compartment rules is crucial for students and parents to navigate the process smoothly.

The CBSE Compartment exam is usually held in July after the board exam result is declared. If a student is unable to pass in this attempt, they can reappear in the next session (March/April). Regular students must apply through their school, while private candidates can register online via the CBSE website. The exam follows the same syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme as the main board exam, so students must prepare accordingly.

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the CBSE compartment rules for class 10 and class 12 exams, providing detailed information on eligibility criteria, date sheets, marking schemes, application processes, and preparation tips to help you navigate this phase confidently.

Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Class 10th Compartment Exam

Not everyone can appear for the compartment exam for students. Here are the eligibility criteria:

• Who can apply for compartment exams: Students who did not pass one or two subjects in their class 10 board exams but have cleared all internal assessments can apply.

• Number of subjects allowed: Students can take compartment exams for up to two subjects, as per the CBSE compartment rules.

• Important points to remember:
  • Students categorised as Eligible for Improvement of Performance (EIOP) in their class 10 exams can also apply under the CBSE compartment rules.
• EIOP students get only one opportunity to take the compartment exam.

CBSE Compartment Rules for Class 10 Exam

Here are some specific CBSE compartment rules for class 10 that students need to pay attention to:

• Number of attempts: Students are allowed up to three attempts to clear their compartment subjects:

• First attempt: Conducted in July/August of the same academic year.
• Second attempt: Held in March/April of the following year.
• Third attempt: Conducted in July/August of the following year.

CBSE compartment rules state that if a candidate does not appear for or fails all attempts at the compartment exams, they will be considered to have failed the examination. In that case, they will need to reappear for all subjects in the next annual board exam, following the prescribed syllabus and courses. 

• Subjects involved: The compartment exam is only for the subjects in which the student has been placed in the compartment.

• Practical exams: If a student has passed the practical component but failed the theory, they need to appear only for the theory exam. Conversely, if they fail the practical, they must retake both theory and practical exams, as per the CBSE compartment rules.

• Procedure: Regular students must apply through their school, while private candidates can apply directly through the CBSE website.

• Syllabus: The syllabus for the CBSE class 10th compartment exam will be the same as that of the regular subject exam.

• Temporary admission to class 11: Students who have a compartment in class 10 may be given provisional admission to class 11. However, they must pass the compartment exam in July or August. If they do not clear it, their admission to class 11 will be revoked.

It’s crucial to prepare thoroughly for these exams, as failing to clear the compartment subjects within the stipulated attempts will require the student to reappear for all subjects in subsequent board examinations.

CBSE Compartment Class 10 Date Sheet

CBSE releases the compartment exam dates a few weeks after the main results. Here’s an expected timeline:

The admit card and timetable for the supplementary examination will be shared here once CBSE releases the official notice. The final schedule will be published after the deadline for submitting the List of Candidates (LOC).

CBSE Compartment Exam Class 10 Marking Scheme

The marking scheme for the CBSE Class 10 supplementary exams aligns with the regular board exam marking scheme:

• The division of marks between theory and practicals (if applicable) remains the same as in the main exams.

• To pass, students must secure a minimum of 33% in theory and practical components separately.

• The marks obtained in the compartment exam replace the previous marks in that subject, and the new total is calculated accordingly. The CBSE compartment rules ensure that students are evaluated fairly.

• Marks for the theory paper will be based on the student’s performance in the compartment exam.

• Internal assessment scores from the previous exam will be retained.

• If the student passes, their marksheet will mention “Compartment – Pass.”

This system ensures that students are evaluated fairly and have a clear understanding of their performance.

Eligibility Criteria for CBSE Class 12th Compartment Exam

Here’s who can apply for the CBSE Class 12 supplementary exams:

• Students who have failed in only one subject.

• If a student appeared for six subjects in the March board exams and failed in two, they can appear for any of the two subjects in the compartment exam.

• Students who appeared for six subjects and were declared PASS but failed in one subject can apply under the Improvement category to retake that subject.

CBSE Compartment Rules for Class 12 Exam

The CBSE compartment rules for class 12 students are similar to those for secondary education CBSE, with some distinctions:

• Eligibility: Students who fail in any one of the five core subjects but have successfully cleared all internal assessments will be placed under the compartment category, as per the CBSE compartment rules.

• Number of attempts: Candidates are given up to three opportunities to pass the compartment exam:
  • First attempt: Conducted in July/August of the same academic year.
  • Second attempt: Held in March/April of the subsequent year.
  • Third attempt: Conducted in July/August of the subsequent year.

• Applicable subjects: The compartment exam applies only to the specific subject in which the CBSE class 12 student has failed.

• Practical examinations:
  • If a student has cleared the practical component but failed the theory paper, they are required to retake only the theory exam.
  • However, if they have failed the practical assessment, they must reappear for both the practical and theoretical components of the subject.

CBSE Compartment Class 12 Date Sheet

The timeline for the class 12 compartment exam is:

• Release date: The CBSE compartment exam date sheet is usually released in June/July after the announcement of the CBSE board exam 2025 results.

• Exam month: The exams are generally conducted in July/August every year, following the CBSE compartment rules.

• Exam timing: As per past trends, the exams start at 10:30 AM and end at 1:30 PM.

• Subjects covered: The exam schedule will mention the exact dates for each subject in which students have been placed in the compartment category.

• Official website: Students can check and download the date sheet from CBSE.gov.in.

• Practical exams: The date for the practical exam will be provided along with the main date sheet.

CBSE Compartment Exam Class 12 Marking Scheme

Understanding how the marks are calculated is essential for students appearing in the compartment exam.

• How marks are calculated:
  • CBSE follows its usual grading system, which depends on the student’s performance relative to others.
  • The final marks will be based on the compartment exam performance.
  • If the subject has practicals, the marks from the previous practical exam will be carried forward unless the student has failed in the practicals as well.
  • In subjects with theory and practical components, students must secure at least 33% combined to pass.

• Impact of previous marks:
  • If a student passes the compartment exam, their new marks will replace their previous failed marks.
  • If a student still fails in the compartment exam, they will be marked as “Fail” and will have to reappear next year.
  • Internal assessment marks from the previous exam are carried forward.

Compartment Exam Rules for CBSE Class 10th and 12th

Here are some general CBSE compartment rules for the class 10 and 12 CBSE supplementary exam:

No. of attempts:

• Students are allowed up to three attempts to clear a compartment subject.
• If a student fails to pass the compartment exam after three attempts, they must reappear in all subjects in the subsequent annual examination.
  CBSE.gov.in.

Exam schedule:

• Compartment exams are conducted on predetermined dates and times, similar to the main board exams.
• The detailed date sheet is released on the official CBSE website (CBSE.gov.in).
• Students must adhere strictly to the schedule, as late entries or absences without valid reasons are typically not accommodated.

Passing criteria:

• To pass a compartment exam, a student must score at least 33% in the subject.
• Each subject is evaluated independently; failing one subject does not affect the marks of other subjects.
• The passing criteria for compartment exams are consistent with those of the main board examination.
  

Revaluation process:

• CBSE provides a provision for re-evaluation if students believe there has been an error in marking.
• The re-evaluation process has specific charges, guidelines and timelines, which are detailed on the CBSE website.
• Students must apply for re-evaluation within the stipulated time frame after the results are declared.

CBSE Compartment Exam Application Process

The application process is simple but requires careful attention:

1. Check eligibility: Ensure that you are fit to apply according to the CBSE compartment rules.

2. Know your category:
   • Regular students: Apply through your school.
   • Private candidates: Apply online via the CBSE website.

3. Gather necessary details: Keep your roll number, school code, and centre number handy.

4. Access the application form:
   • Regular students: Schools will submit the List of Candidates (LOC) through the e-Pariksha platform.
   • Private candidates: Visit the CBSE Private Candidate Application Portal.

5. Fill in the form: Enter personal details, subject(s) for the compartment exam, and preferred exam centre.

6. Upload required documents: Upload a recent passport-sized photograph and signature as per the specified format.

7. Pay the examination fee: Complete the payment online. Fees vary based on the number of subjects as per the CBSE compartment rules.

8. Submit the application: Review all details carefully and submit the form.

9. Print confirmation: After submission, print the confirmation page for your records.

10. Collect admit card:
    • Regular students: Obtain it from your school.
    • Private candidates: Download it from the CBSE website once available.

CBSE Compartment Exam Preparation Tips

Here are 10 practical preparation tips for students reappearing for the CBSE Compartment Exam:

1. Analyse your mistakes: Review your previous answer sheet (if possible) or think and reflect on where you went wrong to identify weak areas and avoid repeating mistakes.

2. Focus on key topics: Prioritise high-weightage topics from the syllabus to maximise your score.

3. Follow a structured study plan: Set daily study goals and stick to a timetable to ensure proper revision.

4. Solve sample papers: Practise Oswal Publishers’ CBSE Sample Papers to familiarise yourself with exam patterns and improve time management.

5. Strengthen writing speed: Attempt full-length mock tests to enhance speed and accuracy for better performance.

6. Use NCERT books effectively: Revise directly from NCERT textbooks as most questions are based on them.

7. Understand CBSE compartment rules properly: Have a clear understanding of all the CBSE compartment rules to avoid end-moment confusion.

8. Revise with quick notes: Prepare short notes or flashcards for last-minute revision to retain key concepts.

9. Stay positive & confident: Avoid overthinking past results—focus on improving your performance this time.

10. Use exam-specific guides: Refer to oswal.io for subject-wise mock tests, and concise revision materials before the exam.

Conclusion

Failing in a subject is not the end of the road! The CBSE compartment exam gives students a second chance to prove themselves. With the right preparation and a clear understanding of the CBSE compartment rules, you can clear the exam and move ahead confidently. Stay focused, practise smartly, and you will improve your score this time!

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