Board examination

In India, board examinations refer to the public Exit Standardized examinations that are conducted at the completion of secondary and Senior secondary education.

The 10th Grade board examinations are conducted by the state board (SSC/SSLC), the Central Board of Secondary Education (All India Secondary School Examination) and to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ICSE). 10th grade board exams are important for the continuation of senior secondary education. On completion of the 10th grade board exam, students are given a choice to choose a singular ‘stream’ of subjects such as science, commerce and arts (humanities) to study at the senior secondary education level. The CBSE Board Exam admit cards are issued by respective schools for regular students. Schools will notify students regarding the distribution of their admit cards.

For private candidates, the admit cards can be downloaded from the official CBSE website. CBSE typically releases the admit cards for private candidates in early February.

The 12th grade board examinations are conducted by the state board (HSC), the Central Board of Secondary Education (AISSCE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (ISC). The scores achieved in the 12th Grade board exams are considered very important for receiving admission into major professional courses, training programmes or institutes of national importance such as AIIMS, NIT, IIT, IIIT and IIM through competitive examinations like JEE, NEET, CLAT, CUET and various entrance tests conducted by various colleges and universities in India.

Due to the implementation of NEP 2020, board exams are planned to be conducted twice a year, but it not been implemented by the government. The ‘multiple board’ format was previously conducted as an experiment in the academic year 2021–22 for CBSE Class 12 and 10 Exams. The CBSE Board have Announced the Implementation of Dual Board Exam for the Academic Year 2025–26.