Archive · 19 Aug 2026
MP Board Introduces CBSE-Style Exams for Classes 9–12
The Madhya Pradesh Board is changing how students in Classes 9 to 12 will answer exams.
The new system will look more like the question style used by CBSE.
Students will need to explain ideas, use logic and apply what they learn.
Memorizing selected answers may not be enough anymore.
Class 10 will have a 75-mark written paper.
Class 12 non-practical subjects will have an 80-mark written paper.
The board has published the new curriculum and marking schemes online.
The state will still use its own syllabus and examination system.
Some students like the change, while others worry that the exams may become harder.
The Madhya Pradesh Board revised its examination pattern for Classes 9 to 12 for the 2026–27 session.
The new format emphasizes logical reasoning, concept-based questions and application rather than rote learning.
Class 10 students will take a 75-mark written paper, including 30 marks for objective questions.
Class 12 non-practical subjects will have an 80-mark written examination, alongside applicable practical and internal-assessment components.
The changes received mixed reactions, with some students welcoming reduced memorization and others fearing more difficult papers.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education and students in Classes 9 to 12.
- What
- A revised, more CBSE-style examination pattern emphasizing reasoning and understanding.
- When
- The 2026–27 academic session.
- Where
- Madhya Pradesh; the curriculum and marking schemes are available on the board’s Academics portal.
- Why
- To reduce dependence on rote learning and give greater importance to logical reasoning and concept application.
Supporters
Concerned Students
Less rote learning
Supporters
Supporters, including Class 11 student Sunidhi Mandoli, welcomed greater emphasis on understanding instead of memorized answers.
Concerned Students
Some students were unsure whether they could adapt successfully to the new format.
Exam difficulty
Supporters
The board and school leadership presented the change as a positive move toward reasoning and concept application.
Concerned Students
Class 10 student Jinisha Jain feared that the revised papers could become more difficult.
Implementation
Supporters
School principal Sunanda Yadav said the revised approach could be positive.
Concerned Students
Yadav also said successful implementation would require coordinated efforts from teachers, students and parents.
- Classes covered
- Classes 9 to 12
- Class 10 written paper
- 75 marks, including 30 marks for objective-type questions
- Class 10 question changes
- Twelve very short-answer questions worth two marks each; long-answer questions reduced from four to three
- Class 12 written paper
- 80 marks for non-practical subjects
- Class 12 structure
- Ten very short-answer, four short-answer and four long-answer questions
- Syllabus status
- The board retains its own curriculum and examination system; it has not adopted the CBSE syllabus
- Student response
- Reactions were mixed, ranging from support for less rote learning to concern about increased difficulty