Schools attribute the rise in CBSE mark re-evaluation requests to several factors, including on-screen marking systems, an increase in competency-based questions, and heightened academic pressure among students competing for admissions.
A growing number of UAE-based CBSE Class 12 students are applying for mark re-evaluation this year, with students and educators citing concerns over the evaluation process, evolving assessment patterns, and increased academic pressure.
The trend has emerged after the recent CBSE board results were announced, with families across the UAE, other Gulf countries, overseas schools, and India reporting concerns over unexpectedly low scores in several subjects. The issue appears to have affected students across multiple streams, particularly those aiming for admission into professional and highly competitive courses.
Examinations in several Gulf countries were disrupted due to the US–Israel–Iran conflict. While the CBSE introduced an alternative assessment mechanism for certain papers, many UAE students across streams were still able to appear for two to three examinations in person before the remaining papers were affected.
Some schools say applications for re-evaluation have risen compared to previous years.
Surge in applications overwhelms portal
Explaining the process, principals note that students first request scanned copies of their answer sheets before deciding whether to apply for re-evaluation.
Pramod Mahajan, Principal of Sharjah Indian School, said students who believe there may have been errors in marking can apply for re-evaluation. However, he cautioned that marks may increase or decrease after correction or re-totalling, with the revised score considered final.
He added that this year has seen a sharp rise in applications from CBSE-affiliated schools worldwide, leading to repeated extensions of deadlines by the board.
“The volume of applications was so high that the portal struggled to handle the traffic,” he said, adding that technical experts, including IIT professionals, were reportedly brought in to manage the load.
Compared to previous years, Mahajan said more students in the Gulf are seeking re-evaluation, especially in subjects where exams were conducted in person, while other papers were assessed through alternative methods following regional disruptions.
He also noted that re-evaluation is currently available only for Grade 12 students, as Grade 10 students were given an additional opportunity to improve scores through a supplementary exam system.
Mahajan attributed the rise in applications to multiple factors, including on-screen marking, an increase in competency-based questions, and heightened pressure among students aiming for admission into premier engineering institutes.
He also pointed to a widening gap between entrance exam results and board performance, saying some students with high JEE percentiles were unable to secure the required 75 per cent in Class 12, which is mandatory for IIT admissions. He added that such cases have increased this year, with an overall dip in scoring trends.
Schools urge balanced approach
While some schools reported a surge, others said requests remained relatively limited. Deepika Thapar Singh, CEO-Principal of Credence High School, said most applications this year were focused on science subjects.
She said schools are carefully counselling students and parents before they decide on verification or re-evaluation, assessing academic performance patterns and gaps between expected and actual results.
“We neither encourage nor discourage students outright; we guide them,” she said.
Singh added that while schools support students in cases of significant discrepancies, they also help families plan for future academic pathways.
Commenting on the updated evaluation system, she said CBSE’s intent is positive but the transition may have been challenging for stakeholders. She suggested that a pilot rollout could have helped better prepare schools and students.
She added that the board should continue to take feedback from schools to further refine the process in the coming years.
