The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has officially announced the examination timetable for the crucial 2025-26 academic session, covering Classes 8, 10, and 12. In a significant shift from previous years, the Board has decided to conduct practical examinations before the written tests, a move aimed at aiding student preparation.
A Major Scheduling Shift for Student Benefit
PSEB Chairman, Amarpal Singh, revealed that the Board has introduced a key change for the upcoming session. Practical examinations for all three classes – 8, 10, and 12 – will be held first, from February 2 to February 12, 2026. This decision is strategically designed to provide students with more focused time to prepare for competitive examinations that often follow board exams. It also ensures the subsequent academic session can begin on time without delays.
Detailed Written Exam Schedule and Candidate Numbers
Following the practicals, the written examinations will commence. The schedule for each class is as follows:
For Class 8, the written exams are scheduled from February 17 to February 27, 2026. The tests will be held between 11:00 AM and 2:15 PM. It is estimated that around 2.77 lakh (277,000) candidates will appear for these exams across more than 2,300 examination centres in the state.
Class 10 students will face their written board exams from March 6 to April 1, 2026, during the same time slot of 11:00 AM to 2:15 PM. Approximately 2.84 lakh (284,000) students are expected to take these exams at over 2,300 centres.
The Class 12 examinations have the longest window, stretching from February 17 to April 4, 2026. An estimated 2.84 lakh (284,000) candidates will appear for their senior secondary exams at about 2,200 designated centres.
Accessing Official Information and Advisories
The Board has urged students, parents, and schools to refer only to official sources for accurate information. The complete date sheets, detailed instructions, and all relevant notifications for the PSEB 2025-26 session examinations are available on the Board's official website: www.pseb.ac.in.
This revised schedule, with practicals preceding written tests, marks a thoughtful intervention by the PSEB. It acknowledges the increasing pressure on students and aims to create a more streamlined academic calendar that supports both board exam performance and future competitive exam preparation.
