Who is eligible for CBSE compartment exam?

Students who failed in 1 or 2 subjects in the CBSE Class 10 or Class 12 board exam are eligible for the compartment exam. If you failed in 3 or more subjects, you are NOT eligible for compartment — you must repeat the entire year. The compartment exam gives you a chance to pass without losing an academic year.

When is the CBSE compartment exam 2026?

CBSE compartment exams are typically held in July–August, approximately 2–3 months after the main board results. Exact dates are announced by CBSE after results. The exam is usually conducted over 2–3 weeks. Check cbse.gov.in for the official schedule once results are declared.

Is the compartment exam easier than the main exam?

The difficulty level is the SAME as the main board exam. CBSE does not make compartment papers easier. The syllabus, marks distribution, question pattern, and marking scheme are identical. Do NOT assume it will be easier — prepare with the same intensity as you did for the main exam (or more, since you failed the first time).

What happens if I fail the compartment exam too?

If you fail the compartment exam: (1) For Class 10 — you must repeat Class 10, (2) For Class 12 — you can appear again in the next year's main board exam as a private/regular candidate. CBSE gives you one compartment chance per year. Some students choose to appear through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling) as an alternative.

Can I get admission to college after clearing compartment?

Yes. After clearing the compartment exam, you receive the same marksheet as students who passed in the main exam. Colleges accept compartment-cleared students. However, some admission deadlines may have passed by the time compartment results come (August–September). Check with your target colleges if they accept late admissions or have spot rounds.

How to apply for CBSE compartment exam?

Your school applies on your behalf — you do NOT apply directly. After results, inform your school that you need to appear for the compartment exam. The school fills the compartment exam form through the CBSE portal. Fee: approximately ₹300 per subject. Ensure your school submits the form before the deadline (usually 2–3 weeks after results).

CBSE Compartment Exam 2026: Class 12 & 10 Dates & Fees

The CBSE compartment exam 2026 is for students who failed in 1 or 2 subjects in the Class 10 or Class 12 board exam. It is held in July–August with the same difficulty as the main exam. Your school applies on your behalf. After clearing, you get the same marksheet as regular students.

Eligibility — Who Can Appear?

Scenario	Eligible for Compartment?	What to Do
Failed in 1 subject	Yes	Appear for compartment in that 1 subject
Failed in 2 subjects	Yes	Appear for compartment in both subjects
Failed in 3+ subjects	No	Must repeat the year (Class 10 or 12)
Passed but want to improve	No (compartment is only for failed students)	Apply for CBSE Improvement Exam instead
Absent for main exam	Special consideration (check with CBSE)	Contact CBSE regional office

How to Apply

Inform your school — your school principal applies on your behalf through the CBSE portal
Pay the fee — approximately ₹300 per subject (paid through school)
Deadline: Usually 2–3 weeks after results declaration — your school must submit before this
Admit card: Issued by CBSE through your school, 1–2 weeks before the exam
Exam centre: Usually your own school or a nearby designated centre

Important: If you have changed schools or your school is uncooperative, contact the CBSE regional office directly. They can help you register.

Compartment Exam Details

Detail	Information
When	July–August 2026 (exact dates after results)
Duration	Same as main exam (3 hours per paper)
Syllabus	Same as main board exam — full syllabus, no reduction
Difficulty	Same level as main exam
Question Pattern	Identical to main exam pattern
Marking Scheme	Same as main exam
Passing Marks	33% (theory + internal combined)
Internal Assessment	Your existing internal marks from the main exam are carried forward
Result	August–September 2026
Fee	~₹300 per subject

Prepare to clear compartment

Super Tutor has chapter-wise practice, previous year questions, and mock tests to help you focus on exactly what you need to pass.

Start Preparing — Free

6-Week Preparation Plan

You have approximately 6–8 weeks between results and the compartment exam. Here is how to use them:

Week	What to Do
Week 1	Diagnose: Identify exactly which chapters/topics you failed in. Get your answer sheet photocopy if possible. List your weak areas.
Week 2	Foundation: Re-study the weak chapters from NCERT. Make notes. Do not skip — read every line carefully.
Week 3	Practice: Solve chapter-wise questions from the weak topics. Focus on 2-mark and 3-mark questions — these are easier to score.
Week 4	Full paper: Solve 2 previous year papers under timed conditions. Check using the marking scheme. Note remaining gaps.
Week 5	Gap filling: Focus only on topics where you are still losing marks. Solve 2 more sample papers.
Week 6	Revision: Formula sheets, diagrams, key definitions. Solve 1 final paper. Rest the day before the exam.

Subject-Wise Tips for Compartment

Mathematics

Focus on scoring chapters first: Statistics (guaranteed 8+ marks), Linear Equations, AP
Memorise all formulas — write them 5 times each
Show every step in your answer — step marks can push you past 33%
Target 40 marks — that gives you a comfortable pass even with low internal marks

Science

Biology chapters are the easiest to score: Life Processes, Heredity — memorise diagrams
Chemistry equations: balance and write state symbols for full marks
Physics: focus on Electricity numericals (Ohm's law, resistance) — these are predictable
Draw neat, labelled diagrams — they carry 2–3 marks each

English

Reading comprehension (20 marks) is the easiest section — practise 5 passages
Grammar (10 marks): tenses, subject-verb agreement — these are rule-based and scorable
Literature: read the chapter summaries from First Flight if you cannot read full chapters
Letter writing: memorise the format — correct format alone gives 2–3 marks

Social Science

Map work (5 marks) — guaranteed marks if you practise India maps
Economics: Development and Sectors chapters are the most scoring
History: Nationalism in India — make a timeline of events
Write point-wise answers, not paragraphs — examiners prefer clear points

After Clearing Compartment — What Next?

Collect your marksheet from school within 1 week of results
Download from DigiLocker — the digital marksheet is available immediately
Apply for college admission — many colleges have late admission rounds and spot counselling in September–October
For Class 10 students: You can join Class 11 in the same academic year
For Class 12 students: Check which colleges and universities still have open seats. Many have spot rounds.

Important Dates (Expected)

Event	Expected Timeline
Main Board Results	May–June 2026
Compartment Registration Deadline	Within 2–3 weeks of results
Compartment Admit Card	1–2 weeks before exam
Compartment Exam	July–August 2026
Compartment Results	August–September 2026

Compartment exam process based on CBSE 2025 guidelines. Fees and timelines may change for 2026. Internal assessment marks from the main exam are carried forward. Always verify with cbse.gov.in and your school for the latest information. Last updated: February 2026.