Class 6 and Class 7 have no centralised board exam. Each school sets its own schedule within CBSE's guidelines, but almost all follow the same structure below.
The internal 20 marks are usually split as Periodic Tests (10), a Multi-Disciplinary Project (5), and a Portfolio (5). Schools vary slightly, so this is a guide, not a fixed rule, always check your school's own academic calendar.
Three exam types, each testing more of the syllabus than the last.
A short test on one portion of the syllabus, usually 45 to 90 minutes. Schools conduct several across the year; the best two of three are typically averaged into the internal assessment marks.
A full paper covering roughly the first half of the year's syllabus. This is the first exam that looks like the real thing, longer, timed, and mixing every question type the Annual exam will use.
The full-year paper, 80 marks, roughly three hours, and the main component of the final 100-mark score alongside the 20 internal marks. Most schools include an internal choice in the Long Answer section, meaning your child picks one of two questions rather than answering both.
| Question type | What it tests |
|---|---|
| MCQ | Recall, identification, quick reasoning |
| Very Short Answer | Direct facts, one-line answers |
| Short Answer | Brief explanation, a few sentences |
| Long Answer | Detailed, multi-point answers with examples |
| Diagram based | Drawing and labelling accurately, common in Science |
| Case or source based | Applying knowledge to a new scenario, not just recalling it |
| Map based | Geography, spatial awareness, common in Social Science |
Case, source, and assertion-reasoning questions now make up close to half of most papers. This is the single biggest shift from how CBSE exams used to work, and it rewards understanding over memorising.
Want the tactical side, how to actually write faster, avoid losing easy marks, and finish the paper with time to check it? Read how to prepare for CBSE exams and score better. For what changed in the syllabus itself this year, see the 2026-27 syllabus changes.