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CBSE FAQ:Admission to Examinations of CBSE

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Q. 1 What are the academic qualifications for appearing for the Senior School Certificate(Class XII) examination?

Ans. A candidate for Senior School Certificate Examination should have:
(i) passed Class X from CBSE or an equivalent examination conducted by any recognised Board/ university or an institution recognized by/affiliated to any recognized Board in India at least two years earlier than the year in which he/she would take Senior School Certificate (Class XII) Examination: 
(ii) passed Class XI examination from an institution affiliated to CBSE or an institution recognized by/affiliated to any recognized Board in India at least one year earlier than the year in which he would take Senior School Certificate Examination of the Board.

Q.2 What are the academic qualifications for appearing for the Secondary School Examination?

Ans. A candidate for Secondary School Examination should have :
(a) passed the Middle School examination (Class VIII) of a Board or of an affiliated/recognized school at least two years earlier than the year in which he would take Secondary (Class X) examination conducted by CBSE: 
(b) passed Class IX examination from a school recognized by/affiliated to any other recognized Board in India at least one year earlier than the year in which she/he would take the Secondary(Class X) examination conducted by CBSE.

Q. 3 What is meant by the term “Regular Candidate” in the context of Admission to Examinations of CBSE?

Ans. A “Regular Candidate” means a student enrolled in a school, who has pursued a regular course of study in a school and seeks admission to the Senior School Certificate/Secondary School Examination of CBSE. 

Q. 4 Who is eligible to appear for the Class XII/X examinations?

Ans. The Secondary School Examination and Senior School Certificate Examination  is open to regular candidates who submit his/her duly completed application for admission for the concerning examination in the manner as prescribed by CBSE, along with the prescribed fee, forwarded to the CBSE by the Head of the Institution/School with required information and documents duly certified by such head.

Q.5 What is meant by the term ‘a regular course of study’ in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Secondary School Examination?

Ans. The term "a regular course of study" means at least 75% of attendance in the Classes held; counted from the day of commencing teaching of Classes XII/X  as the case may be, upto the 1st of the month preceding the month in which the examination of the Board commences. Candidates taking up subject(s) involving practicals are required to have put in at least 75% of the total attendance for practical work in the subject in the laboratory. Heads of Institutions shall not allow a candidate who has offered subject(s) involving practicals to take the practical examination(s) unless the candidate fulfils the attendance requirements. 

Q.6 What is meant by the term ‘a regular course of study’ for students participating In sports in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Secondary School Examination? 

Ans. The term "a regular course of study" means at least 60% of attendance in  respect of students participating in Sports at National level organized by recognized Federations/CBSE/SGFI, the Classes held counted from the day of commencing teaching Classes XII/X, as the case may be, upto the 1st of the month preceding the month in which the examination of the Board commences. Candidates taking up a subject(s) involving practicals shall be required to have put in at least 60% of the total attendance for practical work in the subject in the  laboratory. Heads of Institutions shall not allow a candidate who has offered subject(s) involving practicals to take the practical examination(s) unless the candidate fulfils the attendance requirements. 

Q.7 What is meant by the term ‘a regular course of study’ in respect of Fail candidates in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Secondary School Examination?

Ans.  A candidate who had failed in the same examination in the preceding year and rejoins Classes XII/X is required to put in 75% of attendance calculated on the  possible attendance from the 1st of the month following the publication of the results of that examination by the School/Board upto the 1st of the month preceding the month in which the examination of CBSE commences. 

Q.8 What is meant by the term  ‘a regular course of study’ for students participating in sports in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the  Secondary School Examination and had failed in the preceding year?

Ans. A candidate participating in Sports at National level organized by recognized Federations/CBSE/SGFI who had failed in the same examination in the  preceding year and rejoins Classes XII/X will be required to put in 60% of attendance in calculated on the possible attendance from the 1st of the month following the publication of the results of that examination by the School/ Board upto the 1st of the month preceding the month in which the examination of CBSE commences.

Q.9 How will the attendance of students coming from other institutions be calculated?

Ans. In the case of migration from other institutions, attendance at the institution/school recognised by the Education Department of the  State/Union Territory from which the candidate migrates will be taken into account in calculating the required percentage of attendance. 

Q. 10 What are the requirements of attendance in the subjects of Internal Assessment in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Secondary School Examination? 

Ans. In the internal assessment, a student from a school affiliated to the Board will be eligible to take the Senior School Certificate Examination or the Secondary  School Examination conducted by CBSE only when he/she has completed 75% of attendance counted from the opening of class XII/X upto the first of the month  preceding the month in which the examination commences. 

Q. 11 What are the requirements of attendance in the subjects of Internal Assessment for students participating In sports in the context of the Senior School Certificate Examination and the Secondary School Examination?

Ans. In respect of students participating in Sports at National level organized by recognized Federations/CBSE/SGFI a student from a school affiliated to the Board will be eligible to take the Senior School Certificate Examination or the Secondary School Examination conducted by CBSE only when he/she has completed 60% of attendance counted from the opening of class XII upto the first of the month preceding the month in which the examination commences in internal assessment.

Q. 12 Does CBSE grant exemptions from study of subjects under WE/ Art Education/ Health and Physical Education to a candidate on medical grounds for appearing at the Senior School Certificate Examinations and Secondary School Examination?

Ans. Exemption from study of subjects under W.E/Art Education/Health and Physical Education may be granted to a candidate on medical grounds appearing for the  Senior School Certificate Examination or Secondary School Examination conducted by the CBSE provided the application is supported by a certificate given by a registered medical officer of the rank not below that of Assistant Surgeon and forwarded by the Head of the School with his/her recommendations.

Q. 13 Are there provisions for condonation of shortage of attendance?

Ans. Yes. Chairman of CBSE has the powers to condone shortage of attendances.

Q. 14 What is the process  for condonation of shortage of attendance?

Ans. The process for condonation of shortage of attendance is as follows:
(i) Head of the Institution shall report all cases whose attendance falls below the prescribed percentage of attendance i.e. 75%/60%, as the case may be, to the Regional Officer concerned either with the recommendation or with valid reasons for not recommending the condonation of attendance. The Head of the school in his letter requesting for condonation of shortage in attendance,  has to give:
(a) maximum possible attendance by a student counted from the day of commencing teaching of Classes XII/X(beginning of the session) upto the 1st of the month preceding the month in which the examination of the Board commences, 
(b) attendance by the candidate in question during the aforesaid period; and
(c) percentage of attendance of the candidate during the aforesaid period.

Q. 15 What are the valid reasons for recommending the cases of candidates with attendance less than the prescribed percentage?

Ans. Following may be considered valid reasons for recommending the cases of the candidates with attendance less than the prescribed percentage:
(a) prolonged illness;
(b) loss of father/mother or some other such incident leading to his absence from the school and meriting special consideration;
(c) any other reason of similar serious nature.
(d) Authorised participation in sponsored tournaments and sports meets of not less than inter-school level and at NCC/NSS camps including, the days of journeys for such participation shall be counted as full attendance; and 
(e) Authorised participation in Sports at National level organized by recognized Federations/CBSE/SGFI. 

Q.16 Does the Principal of the affiliated school have power to detain eligible candidates from appearing at CBSE’s examination?

Ans. No. In no case the Heads of affiliated schools can detain eligible candidates from appearing at the examination except in the case of shortage of attendance of the  student 

Q.17 Is there provision of reappearing in the Senior School Certificate Examination of CBSE with Skill subjects for a candidate who has already passed the examination?

Ans. Yes. The Senior School Certificate Examination is open to such regular candidates who have passed equivalent Examination from CBSE and will reappear with the skill subjects. 

Q.18 Are there provisions  for candidates to appear in CBSE Examinations as Private Candidate?

Ans. Yes. A “Private Candidate” means a person who is not a Regular Candidate but under the provisions of CBSE Examination Bye-laws is allowed to undertake and/ or appear in the CBSE’s Secondary/ Senior School Certificate Examination.

Q.19 Who are the persons eligible to appear as “Private Candidate” at the All India Senior School Certificate (Class XII) Examination?

Ans. Following categories of candidates are eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the All India Senior School Certificate (Class XII) Examination: 
(i) Candidate whose result has been declared as FAIL at the All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Class XII).
(ii) Teacher serving in educational institution affiliated to the Board and has qualified Class X or an equivalent examination from any recognized Board atleast two years earlier than the year in which will appear for Class XII examination
(iii) Candidate who had completed regular course of studies and had been allotted Roll No. for appearing at AISSCE examination but could not appear for the Class XII examination due to medical reasons except shortage of attendance 
(iv) Only such Candidate who has passed the examination of the CBSE in previous year can apply in succeeding year for improving his/her performance in one or more subjects in which he/she had appeared in the previous year 
(v) Candidate who has passed CBSE’s examination can apply for an Additional subject within 06 years of passing the examination. However, candidate cannot apply for a subject involving practical work. 

Q.20 Who are the persons eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the Delhi Senior School Certificate (Class XII) Examination?

Ans. Following categories of candidates are eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the Delhi Senior School Certificate (Class XII) Examination:
(i) Candidate who has been declared as FAIL at the Delhi Senior School Certificate Examination(Class XII)
(ii) Teacher serving in educational institution affiliated to the Board and has qualified Class X or an equivalent examination from any recognized Board atleast 02 years’ earlier than the year in which will be appearing for the examination.
(iii) Regular candidate who had completed regular course of studies and had been allotted Roll No. for appearing for the Class XII examination but could not appear at the Annual Examination due to medical reasons except shortage of attendance 
(iv) Women candidate who is a bonafide resident of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and has qualified Class X or an equivalent examination from any recognized Board atleast 02 years’ earlier than the year in which will be appearing for the examination and satisfy the following additional conditions:-
(a) that she has privately pursued the prescribed course of study under proper guidance; and 
(b) that she is unable to join a Senior Secondary School affiliated to the Board or there are such other reasons compelling her to appear at the examination as a private candidate
(v) Physically Handicapped student who has qualified Class X or an equivalent examination from any recognized Board atleast 02 years’ earlier than the year in which will be appearing for the examination on producing reasonable evidence of having difficulty to attend normal institutions in the subjects not involving practical training/examination. Medical certificate in this regard be sent to the concerned Regional Office. 
(vi) Only such Candidate who has passed the examination of the CBSE in previous year can apply in succeeding year for improving his/her performance in one or more subjects in which he/she had appeared in the previous year 
(vii) Candidate who has passed CBSE’s examination can apply for an Additional subject within 06 years of passing the examination. However, candidate cannot apply for a subject involving practical work. 

Q.21 Who are the persons eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the All India Secondary School (Class X) Examination? 

Ans. Following categories of candidates are eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the All India Secondary School (Class X) Examination: 
(i) Full subject (5/6 SUBJECTS) Candidate who has been declared as FAIL at the All India Secondary Examination 
(ii) Teacher serving in educational institution affiliated to CBSE
(iii) Candidate who had completed regular course of studies and had been allotted Roll No. for appearing at the examination but could not appear for the Class X examination due to medical reasons except shortage of attendance 
(iv) Only such Candidate who has passed the examination of the CBSE in previous year can apply in succeeding year for improving his/her performance in one or more subjects in which he/she had appeared in the previous year 
(v) Candidate who has passed CBSE’s examination can apply for an Additional subject within 06 years of passing the examination. However, candidate cannot apply for a subject involving practical work. 

Q.22 Who are the persons eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the Delhi Secondary School (Class X) Examination?

Ans. Following categories of candidates are eligible to appear as “Private Candidates” at the Delhi Secondary School (Class X) Examination:
(i) FULL SUBJECT (5/6 SUBJECTS) Candidate who has been declared as FAIL at the Delhi Secondary Examination (Class X)
(ii) Teacher serving in educational institution affiliated to CBSE
(iii) Candidate who had completed regular course of studies and had been allotted Roll No. for appearing at the examination but could not appear for the Class X examination due to medical reasons except shortage of attendance 
(iv) Women candidate who is a bonafide resident of the National Capital Territory of Delhi and has attained the age for appearing in Class X. 
(a) if would have appeared through a school as a regular candidate; OR
(b) one year after passing Class IX and two years after passing Class VIII as a regular candidate AND 
(c) satisfy the following additional conditions:-
(A) that she has privately pursued the prescribed course of study under proper guidance; and
(B) that she is unable to join a Secondary School affiliated to the Board or there are such other reasons compelling her to appear at the examination as a private candidate.
Note: Women candidate applying under this category cannot take subjects involving practical component. However they may opt for Home Science with practical.
(v) Physically Handicapped student on producing reasonable evidence of having difficulty to attend normal institutions in the subjects not involving  practical training/examination. Medical certificate in this regard be sent to the concerned Regional Office 
(vi) Only such Candidate who has passed the examination of the CBSE in previous year can apply in succeeding year for improving his/her performance in one or more subjects in which he/she had appeared in the previous year
(vii) Candidate who has passed CBSE’s examination can apply for an Additional subject within 06 years of passing the examination. However, candidate cannot apply for a subject involving practical work. 

Q.23 When can the Private candidate appear for the Senior School Certificate Examination and Secondary School Examination? 

Ans. A Private candidate is eligible to reappear only at the subsequent examination held in March next year in all the subjects in which he/she had appeared. 

Q. 24 What will be the syllabus  in which Private candidate will have to appear? 

Ans. A private candidate will have to appear in the syllabus and text books as prescribed for the examination of the year in which he will reappear. 

Q. 25 Can a candidate appear for Improvement of Performance and Additional subject together?

Ans. A candidate cannot appear for Improvement of Performance and Additional subject together.

Q.26 What is the procedure for submission of Application as Private Candidate for the Senior School Certificate Examination and Secondary School Examination?

Ans. A private candidate must submit an application together with the prescribed fee to the CBSE in the format as decided by CBSE from time to time.

Q.27 Which categories of  students are granted exemption from Examination in the Third language?

Ans. Following categories of students are granted exemption from studying third language(upto Class VIII):
(a) foreign nationals studying in schools affiliated to the Board;
(b) wards of Indian nationals admitted to class IX after a minimum of two years of stay abroad;
(c) students admitted to class IX from school affiliated to State Boards, where only two language formula is in vogue;
(d) Candidates with disabilities as defined in the Rights of Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, 2018.

Q.28 What are the exemptions to candidates with disabilities?

Ans. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are extended Exemptions/concessions as listed in Circulars dated 26.9.2018 and 29.11.2018 

Q.29 What are the cases in which a scribe may be allowed to candidates with disabilities?

Ans. Scribe is allowed in the following cases:
(a) To a candidate with disabilities defined in the THE RIGHT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, 2016;
(b) on sudden illness rendering the candidate unable to write as certified by a Medical Officer of the rank not lower than Assistant Surgeon;
(c) in the case of an accident rendering the candidate unable to write the examination as certified by a Medical Officer of the rank not lower than Assistant Surgeon.

Q.30 What are the criteria for appointment of scribe and qualifications of a scribe?

Ans. Criteria for appointment of scribe and qualifications of a scribe are as listed in Circulars dated 26.9.2018 and 29.11.2018

Q.31 What are the provisions for change of subject?

Ans. Provisions for change of subject are as under:
(i) Change of subject(s) in class XI may be allowed by the Head of the School but not later than 31st of October of that academic session.
(ii) No candidate shall be permitted to change his subject of study after passing class IX or XI as the case may be.
(iii) The candidate shall not offer a subject in class X and XII which he has not studied and passed in class IX and XI respectively.
(iv) Notwithstanding anything contained in (ii) and (iii) above the Chairman CBSE shall have the powers to allow a change in subject(s) in class X/XII, as the case may be, to avoid undue hardship to the candidate provided such a request for change is made before 15th July.

Q.32 What are the requirements for submission of migration certificate by Private/ Teacher candidates for Senior School Certificate Examination?

Ans. The candidates who have passed the Secondary or equivalent examination from other recognized Boards/Universities will be required to submit to the concerned Regional Office of CBSE Migration Certificate from the concerned Board/University. However, in case a Migration Certificate is not received fifteen days before commencement of the examination, the candidature of the candidate shall be cancelled and admit card for appearance at the examination shall not be issued by the CBSE. 

 

Courtesy: CBSE