CBSE Compartment Exam — Class 10 (May Board Exam) and Class 12 (July Supplementary)
CBSE compartment rules: Class 10 retakes a subject in the May board exam, Class 12 in the July supplementary exam. 2026 dates, ₹320 fee and a study plan.
CBSE's compartment rules changed in 2026. Class 10 students placed in the Compartment category now take the subject in the May second board exam — there is no separate July exam for Class 10 any more. Class 12 students take their compartment subjects in the supplementary exam in July. Your school applies on your behalf, and after clearing you get a regular marksheet.
Class 10 vs Class 12 at a Glance
| Detail | Class 10 | Class 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Compartment exam | The May second board exam | The July supplementary exam |
| 2026 dates | 15–21 May 2026 | 28 July 2026 (single day) |
| 2026 result | 18 July 2026 | 12 August 2026 |
| Fee (2026) | ₹320 per subject | ₹320 per subject |
| Also used for | Improving up to three subjects (students who passed) | Improving one subject |
| 2026 outcome | 1,49,822 appeared in the Compartment category; 52.40% passed | — |
Eligibility — Who Can Appear?
| Scenario | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Result says Compartment | Take the subject(s) again in the next compartment attempt (May for Class 10, July for Class 12) |
| Result says Essential Repeat | You repeat the exam in a later year; ask your school about the process |
| Class 10: absent in three or more main-exam subjects | Placed in Essential Repeat; cannot take the May exam |
| Passed but want to improve | Class 10: the May exam, up to three subjects. Class 12: the July exam, one subject. |
How to Apply
- Tell your school straight after the result — the school registers you through CBSE's portal.
- Pay the fee through your school — ₹320 per subject in 2026.
- Watch the deadline — for the Class 10 May exam, schools submitted the list of candidates within days of the main result (16–20 April in 2026).
- Admit card — issued through your school before the exam.
Important: If you have changed schools or can't get help from your school, contact your CBSE regional office.
Exam Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | Same as the main exam (3 hours per paper for most subjects) |
| Syllabus | Same as the main board exam |
| Question pattern and marking | Same as the main exam |
| Passing marks | At least 33% in the subject |
| Internal assessment | Your existing internal or practical marks are carried forward |
Prepare to clear your compartment
Super Tutor has chapter-wise practice quizzes, revision notes and an AI doubt solver to help you focus on exactly what you need to pass.
Start freePreparation Plan
Time is short. In 2026, Class 10 students had about a month between the main result (15 April) and the May exam; Class 12 students had about ten weeks between the result (13 May) and the supplementary exam (28 July). Compress or stretch this six-step plan to fit:
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Diagnose | Identify exactly which chapters cost you marks. If you can, get the scanned copy of your answer book. List your weak areas. |
| 2. Foundation | Re-study the weak chapters from NCERT. Make short notes. |
| 3. Practice | Solve chapter-wise questions from those topics, starting with 2- and 3-mark questions. |
| 4. Full papers | Solve previous year and sample papers under timed conditions. Check them with the marking scheme. |
| 5. Gap filling | Work only on topics where you are still losing marks. |
| 6. Revision | Formula sheets, diagrams, key definitions. One final paper. Rest the day before the exam. |
Subject-Wise Tips (Class 10)
Mathematics
- Start with units you find easiest — Statistics and Probability carries 11 marks, and the Algebra unit 20
- Learn all formulas and use them in practice problems every day
- Show every step — step marks can push you past 33%
- Aim well above the pass mark so you have a margin
Science
- The World of Living unit (25 marks) rewards careful NCERT reading — learn the diagrams
- Chemistry equations: balance them and write state symbols
- Physics: practise Electricity numericals (Ohm's law, resistance)
- Draw neat, labelled diagrams where they are asked for
English
- Reading comprehension carries 20 marks — practise several passages
- Grammar (10 marks): tenses, subject-verb agreement, reported speech — rule-based and scorable
- Literature: know the chapters of First Flight and Footprints without Feet well
- Letter writing: learn the format — format carries marks
Social Science
- Map work (5 marks) — practise the prescribed map items
- Economics: Development and Sectors of the Indian Economy are good places to start
- History: Nationalism in India — make a timeline of events
- Write point-wise answers, not long paragraphs
After Clearing — What Next?
- Download your marksheet from DigiLocker — the printed one comes through your school
- Class 10: continue in Class 11 in the same academic year
- Class 12: check which colleges still have open seats or spot rounds
Based on CBSE's second-exam circular (15 April 2026), its press release of 18 July 2026, and the Class 12 supplementary exam date sheet (17 July 2026) and result (12 August 2026). Always verify with cbse.gov.in and your school.
Turn this into exam marks
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Start freeFrequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the CBSE compartment exam?
Students whose result places them in the Compartment category — because they did not pass one or more subjects — can take those subjects again. Your result shows whether you are in the Compartment or Essential Repeat category. In Class 10, students absent in three or more subjects of the main exam are placed in Essential Repeat and cannot take the May exam.
When is the CBSE compartment exam?
For Class 10, the compartment attempt is now the second board exam in May: in 2026 it was held from 15 to 21 May. For Class 12, it is the supplementary exam in July: in 2026 it was held on a single day, 28 July, with results on 12 August.
Is the compartment exam easier than the main exam?
No. The syllabus, question pattern and marking scheme follow the main board exam. Prepare with the same seriousness as for the main exam.
What happens if I fail the compartment exam too?
For Class 10, further chances follow in the next main and May board exams. For Class 12, you can appear again in a later board exam; ask your school or CBSE regional office about registering. Some students also consider NIOS as an alternative.
Can I get admission to college after clearing the supplementary exam?
Yes. After clearing it, you receive a marksheet like students who passed in the main exam. Some admission deadlines may have passed by the time supplementary results come out (12 August in 2026), so check whether your target colleges have later rounds or spot admissions.
How do I apply for the CBSE compartment exam?
Your school applies on your behalf through CBSE's portal; you don't apply directly. In 2026 the fee was ₹320 per subject for both the Class 10 second exam and the Class 12 supplementary exam. Tell your school straight after the result, because the submission windows are short.