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The CBSE Improvement Exam is a great opportunity for students of Class 10 and 12 who wish to improve their performance in one or more subjects. Whether a student wants to increase their marks for better college admission or just to gain more confidence, this exam can be very helpful. As per the latest 2025 CBSE updates, improvement exams are now conducted only once a year, in July, after the main board results are declared. Students can appear in one or more subjects in which they passed but want to score higher. This exam follows the same syllabus, paper pattern, and marking scheme as the regular board exam. It’s important to know that only those who appeared in the February–March CBSE exam are eligible to apply.
The improvement exam scores are considered final, and the better of the two marks is counted for future use. In this blog, we will delve into all essential aspects of the CBSE Improvement Exam 2025, including eligibility, application process, important timelines, and key advantages for students planning to optimize their academic performance.
| Exam | CBSE Improvement Exam 2025 |
| Board Name | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Applicable Regions | All India |
| Application Mode | Online (via cbse.gov.in for private; regular students via schools) |
| Application Fee | ₹300 per subject for all candidates |
| Application Start Date | May 30, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (Without Late Fee) | June 17, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (With Late Fee) | June 19, 2025 |
| Exam Dates | Class 10: July 15–22, 2025 Class 12: July 15, 2025 (10:30 AM–1:30 PM) |
| Result Declaration | August 2025 (3–4 weeks after exams) |
| Official Website | cbse.gov.in |
This Blog Includes:
- What are CBSE Improvement Exams?
- Rules of CBSE Improvement Exams
- CBSE Improvement Exam Dates for 2025
- Application Process for CBSE Improvement Examination 2025
- Eligibility Criteria
- Subject Lists for CBSE Improvement Exam
- How to Apply for the CBSE Improvement Exam?
- Application Fee for CBSE Improvement Exam 2025
- CBSE Improvement Exam Result and Marksheet
- FAQs
What are CBSE Improvement Exams?
CBSE Improvement Exams are special exams conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for Class 10 and 12 students who have already passed their board exams but wish to improve their marks in one or more subjects. These exams give students a second chance to perform better without repeating the entire academic year.
Students can appear in only those subjects in which they had passed earlier. The syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme for improvement exams are the same as the regular board exams. The exam is conducted once a year, usually in July, after the main board results are declared. The better score between the main and improvement exam is considered final and appears on the updated mark sheet.
This opportunity is especially useful for students who aim to qualify for competitive exams, get into better colleges, or simply boost their confidence with higher marks.
Rules of CBSE Improvement Exams
Here are the 10 important rules of the CBSE Improvement Exam 2025 that every student must know:
- Only passed students can apply – You must have passed the CBSE Class 10 or 12 board exams to be eligible for improvement.
- Improvement can be given only once – You are allowed to take the improvement exam only in the year immediately following your board exam.
- Subject limit applies – Class 10 students can improve marks in up to two subjects, while Class 12 students can choose only one subject.
- No new subjects allowed – You can appear only in the subjects you passed earlier; additional or new subjects are not permitted.
- Same exam format – The improvement exam follows the exact same syllabus, exam pattern, and marking scheme as the main board exam.
- Theory-only exam in most cases – If you passed the practical exam earlier, you need to appear only for the theory paper.
- Application is online – Regular students apply through their schools, while private candidates must apply online at cbse.gov.in.
- Fee per subject – The application fee is usually 300 per subject, with additional charges if applied late.
- Best marks will be considered – CBSE will consider the higher score between your original and improvement exam for the final result.
- Updated marksheet is issued – After the improvement exam, CBSE provides a new marksheet with revised scores, if your marks improve.
Also Read: Are NCERT Books Enough for JEE Mains?
CBSE Improvement Exam Dates for 2025
Here are the CBSE Improvement (Supplementary) Exam 2025 Dates for Classes 10 and 12:
| Event | Date |
| Application Start (private students) | May 30, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (without late fee) | June 17, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply (with late fee) | June 19, 2025 |
| Admit Cards Released | July 8–10, 2025 (private) / Schools issue to regular students |
| Practical Exams Begin | July 10, 2025 (if applicable) |
| Theory Exam Dates – Class 10 | July 15–22, 2025 |
| Theory Exam Date – Class 12 | July 15, 2025 (10:30 AM–1:30 PM) |
| Results Declaration | August 2025 (within 3–4 weeks post-exams) |
Application Process for CBSE Improvement Examination 2025
Here are the simple steps to apply for the CBSE Improvement Examination 2025 (for private candidates):
- Go to https://cbse.gov.in and click on the link for “Supplementary/Improvement Exam – Private Candidates 2025.”
- 5-digit School Number
- Year of Examination
- Center Number
- Private Candidate of All India/Delhi Scheme
- Select Class
Eligibility Criteria
The first and foremost step to appear for the improvement exam is to satisfy certain prerequisites that have been listed below:
- Only those who appeared for their 10th and 12th exam through the CBSE board can appear for the improvement exam. A student who has qualified for the exam through the state or any other board except CBSE is not eligible.
- It is to be noted that you can take this exam for the five core subjects and not for an elective and that a student can appear for the test only once
- Candidates who have passed their exams not more than 2 years ago from the date of application can apply for the CBSE improvement exam.
- If a candidate has failed the theory subject but has qualified for the practical exam, he/she needs to appear for an improvement exam for the former while the marks for the practical exam will be counted from the earlier exam.
- If a student has failed to clear the practicals then it is mandatory to reappear for both the theory and practical tests.
Subject Lists for CBSE Improvement Exam
Here is the complete list of subject codes for CBSE Improvement Examination 2025 for both Class 10 and Class 12 students. These codes must be used correctly while filling the improvement exam form:
CBSE Class 10 Subject Codes
| Subject Code | Subject Name |
| 002 | Hindi Course A |
| 003 | Urdu Course A |
| 004 | Punjabi |
| 005 | Bengali |
| 006 | Tamil |
| 007 | Telugu |
| 008 | Sindhi |
| 009 | Marathi |
| 010 | Gujarati |
| 011 | Manipuri |
| 012 | Malayalam |
| 013 | Odia |
| 014 | Assamese |
| 015 | Kannada |
| 016 | Arabic |
| 018 | French |
| 020 | German |
| 041 | Mathematics |
| 086 | Science |
| 087 | Social Science |
| 085 | Hindi Course B |
| 049 | Painting |
| 064 | Home Science |
| 165 | Computer Applications |
CBSE Class 12 Subject Codes
| Subject Code | Subject Name |
| 001 | English Elective |
| 301 | English Core |
| 002 | Hindi Elective |
| 302 | Hindi Core |
| 041 | Mathematics |
| 241 | Applied Mathematics |
| 042 | Physics |
| 043 | Chemistry |
| 044 | Biology |
| 048 | Physical Education |
| 054 | Business Studies |
| 055 | Accountancy |
| 030 | Economics |
| 027 | History |
| 028 | Political Science |
| 029 | Geography |
| 037 | Psychology |
| 039 | Sociology |
| 065 | Informatics Practices |
| 083 | Computer Science |
| 064 | Home Science |
Also Read: How to Calculate CGPA to Marks 2025-26: A Complete Guide for Students
How to Apply for the CBSE Improvement Exam?
The student who is willing to give the CBSE improvement exam needs to visit this link and apply there. Here are the steps you need to follow to apply for the CBSE improvement exam online:
- Candidates must go to the Central Board of Secondary Education official website, CBSE.nic.in.
- Now, on the Home Page, click the Apply Online to Improvement Exam option.
- Candidates will next be prompted to provide their Roll Number and school name.
- The candidate must next select the topic for which he or she wishes to take the Improvement Exam.
- Candidates must now select a center for the examination of the offered options.
- Fill out all of the requested information carefully.
- Check the filled-in details thoroughly.
- Then press the submit button.
- Now the website will prompt you to make a payment. You may pay the Application Fee online or by bank challan.
- Download the completed application form and print it for future reference.
Application Fee for CBSE Improvement Exam 2025
Here is the official application fee structure for CBSE Improvement Examination 2025, which students must check carefully before applying:
| Category | Fee per Subject | Late Fee (After June 17, 2025) |
| Private Candidates (India) | ₹300 | + ₹2,000 per subject |
| Private Candidates (Nepal) | ₹1,000 | + ₹2,000 per subject |
| Private Candidates (Outside India) | ₹2,000 | + ₹2,000 per subject |
CBSE Improvement Exam Result and Marksheet
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will declare the Improvement Exam Result 2025 for Classes 10 and 12 in the third week of August 2025 (tentatively between August 12 to 20, 2025), after the completion of exams held in July.
| Event | Date/Time Frame |
| Improvement Exam Dates | July 15 – July 22, 2025 |
| Result Declaration (Expected) | August 12 – August 20, 2025 |
| Digital Marksheet Release | Same day as result |
| Physical Marksheet (Hardcopy) | By end of August 2025 |
Also Read: Top 10 Easiest Government Exams to Crack in India
FAQs
The CBSE Improvement Exam is a second chance given by the Central Board of Secondary Education to Class 10 and 12 students who have passed their board exams but want to improve their marks in one or two subjects. It is usually held a few months after the main exam, and students can appear only in the subjects they had already taken. The higher score between the two exams is considered final and is shown on the new marksheet.
No, you cannot give the CBSE improvement exam after 2 years. The improvement exam is only for students who have passed the CBSE Class 10 or 12 exam in the same year (for example, 2025). If two years have passed since your board exam, you are no longer eligible to apply for improvement.
Yes, the improvement exam is a good choice if you have passed but want to score better marks in one or two subjects. It gives you a chance to boost your percentage, improve college admission chances, or meet eligibility for entrance exams. Since CBSE counts the better of the two marks, there’s no risk in trying—it’s a helpful second chance for students who are aiming higher.
Students who have passed the CBSE Class 10 or Class 12 Board Exam in 2025 are eligible to give the CBSE Improvement Exam. Class 10 students can apply for up to 2 subjects, while Class 12 students can apply for only 1 subject. This exam is only for those who want to improve their marks—students with a compartment (failed subject) are not allowed to appear for improvement.
A candidate can appear for the CBSE improvement exam only once, in the same year they passed the main board exam. For example, if a student passed in 2025, they can give the improvement exam only in 2025 itself. Once this chance is missed, they cannot apply for improvement in the following years.
If a candidate doesn’t clear the CBSE improvement exam, there’s no need to worry. Their original marks from the main board exam will stay valid and unchanged. The improvement exam is only meant to help improve scores—not to replace or cancel the original result. So, even if the student scores lower or fails in the improvement, their original passing result remains safe and will be used for all purposes.
Yes, appearing for a CBSE improvement exam is a good idea if you want to increase your marks in one or two subjects. It gives you a second chance to perform better and improve your overall percentage, which can help in getting admission to good colleges or courses. If you are confident and prepared, it can be very helpful for your future studies.
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What happens if I fail in the improvement exam 2021..will my old marksheet be valid?
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Hey Suhail,
Yes, your old marksheet will be valid even if you fail the improvement exam.
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is it compulsory to submit improvement marksheet to the admission office even if i score less than the original one
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Please tell me kya improvement marksheet per likha huavhota ha kya by “improvement “
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What will be on my marksheet if I’ll be absent in improvement examination.
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13 comments
What happens if I fail in the improvement exam 2021..will my old marksheet be valid?
Hey Suhail,
Yes, your old marksheet will be valid even if you fail the improvement exam.
is it compulsory to submit improvement marksheet to the admission office even if i score less than the original one
Please tell me kya improvement marksheet per likha huavhota ha kya by “improvement “
What will be on my marksheet if I’ll be absent in improvement examination.
is it compulsory to submit improvement exam result to admission office even after i score less than the original exam
If i applied for improvement exam,would i able to study 12th this academic year?
I give my board in 2023 can I give my improvement in the same year
In case of improvement exam for class 12 PCM, which marksheet is considered to be the final one? Is it the original marksheet before the improvement exam or the revised one after the improvement exam?
Can I give improvement exam for one subject only ??
CAN I GIVE 12TH IMPROVEMENT EXAM TWICE?? FOR EG. IF IVE SCORED LESS IN 2024’S IMPROVEMET THEN CAN I GIVE ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT EXAM IN 2025?
Can one apply for improvement exam of 12th after taking admission in degree course?
Hey, Madhabaditya Swain
No, you cannot take the CBSE class 12th improvement exam while you are enrolled in a degree program. The improvement exam is for students who cannot get admission to a university even after clearing the 12th examination. To sit for the exam you must have passed the 12th standard.
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