NEW DELHI — The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) officially announced a hybrid assessment methodology on Friday, March 27, 2026, for Class 12 students enrolled in over 200 affiliated schools across West Asia. The decision follows the cancellation of all board examinations from March 1 onwards due to the escalating conflict in the region.
1. Scope of the Decision
The move impacts approximately 23,000 students in seven countries: UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
- Completed Exams: Papers conducted between February 17 and February 28 (including 17 academic subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Accountancy) will be evaluated based on actual performance.
- Cancelled Exams: For subjects scheduled between March 1 and April 10, no fresh examinations will be held. Instead, a “formula-based evaluation” will be applied.
2. The Assessment Formula
To ensure “valid, reliable, and fair” results, the CBSE has outlined a multi-tiered grading structure for the cancelled theory papers:
- For 80/70 Mark Theory Papers: Marks will be derived from the “best of three” scores obtained in school-based quarterly, half-yearly, and pre-board examinations.
- For 60/50/30 Mark Theory Papers: Results will be based strictly on the student’s performance in the final pre-board examination. If a student was absent, scores from earlier pre-boards may be used.
- Internal & Practical Components: Since these are considered “year-long exercises” and marks have already been uploaded by schools, these components will remain unchanged.
3. Special Cases
- Full Attendance: Students who completed all registered exams before the March 1 cutoff will have their results declared based entirely on their written performance.
- Transfer Students: Students who shifted their examination centers to other countries, including India, will be assessed based on their actual exam scores in those locations.
4. Commitment to Fairness
The CBSE acknowledged that while “approximation methods” cannot perfectly mirror actual board exams, the hybrid model was designed to maintain impartiality and transparency during extraordinary circumstances. The board emphasized that this approach protects the academic interests of students seeking university admissions while prioritizing their safety in a conflict zone.
CBSE West Asia 2026: Evaluation Breakdown
| Subject Category | Assessment Basis |
| Exams Held (Feb 17–28) | Actual Board Exam Performance |
| Theory (80/70 Marks) | Best of 3 (Quarterly, Half-Yearly, Pre-Board) |
| Theory (60/50/30 Marks) | Final Pre-Board Examination Score |
| Practicals/Internal | Already Uploaded School Marks (No Change) |