Class 10 board exams 2026: What students fear most and how to build confidence early

Class 10th Board Exams: What Students Fear Most

As India’s academic competition intensifies each year, no milestone looms larger for young students than the Class 10 board examinations. For lakhs of teenagers, it is the first major public assessment of their academic journey, and with it comes a surge of pressure, fear and uncertainty.

According to Nidhi Thapar, Vice President, Academics at Edunation Services Pvt. Ltd., understanding these anxieties is essential for schools if they want to meaningfully support first-time board candidates.

Fear of the Unknown: The Biggest Trigger

Thapar explains that until Class 9, students are accustomed to predictable, internally conducted school exams. The sudden transition to national or state-level board assessments introduces unfamiliar procedures, stricter rules and a more formal environment.

“Students often imagine worst-case scenarios, losing track of time, facing unexpected question formats or feeling overwhelmed in the examination hall,” she notes. This sense of mystery around the board system amplifies worry.

Schools, she suggests, can reduce this fear by simulating the real exam environment early through mock boards, orientations and transparent evaluation processes.

“When students understand the system, the board exam becomes less intimidating and more manageable,” Thapar adds.

Pressure of Expectations and Fear of Failure

For many students, the biggest burden is not the exam paper, but the expectations placed upon them by parents, relatives and even peers. Board scores are often treated as life-defining, turning healthy motivation into intense stress.

“Many believe that a single set of marks defines their identity and future. This emotional load creates silent pressure,” Thapar says.

She recommends that schools and teachers shift the narrative from perfection to progress, encouraging students to track improvement instead of chasing unattainable standards.

Time Management and a Vast Syllabus Add to Stress

Another common worry among first-time board students is coping with the extensive syllabus, especially in subjects that require continuous practice and conceptual clarity.

Even diligent students may feel overwhelmed as exams draw near, Thapar explains, unless they have structured study habits.

Introducing study-planning strategies early in the academic year, she says, can empower students and prevent last-minute panic.

Academic Gaps and Emotional Strain

Subjects such as Mathematics, Science and English often become sources of fear when gaps from earlier classes resurface. In many cases, academic pressure is accompanied by emotional challenges, such as - insomnia, self-doubt and stress-related symptoms.

Here, Thapar highlights the critical role of schools:

• Diagnostic tests to identify weak areas
• Remedial classes to close learning gaps
• Counselling and stress-management workshops to help students cope

“As students begin to observe their own progress, even gradually, their confidence automatically rises,” she says.

Preparedness Over Panic

Thapar believes the importance of the board exams should not be allowed to become overwhelming. Instead, constant, year-long support from schools can reshape the experience entirely.

“When schools acknowledge students’ fears and respond with academic, emotional and practical assistance, they help cultivate preparedness rather than panic,” she emphasises.

With confidence-building efforts in place, first-time board takers can walk into the examination hall calm, assured and ready to give their best, transforming what is often seen as a moment of fear into one of empowerment.