UP Board Pre-Board Exams to Mirror Final Board Test Format; Papers to Be Picked from Reserved Question Set

Students preparing for the Uttar Pradesh Board Class 10 and Class 12 examinations will soon appear for their Pre-Board exams, which are set to begin in the second week of January 2026. The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has announced that these Pre-Board exams will be conducted exactly like the main board examinations, giving students a real-time mock experience before they write the final tests beginning in February.

The Class 10 and 12 UP Board Exams 2026 are scheduled to take place from February 18 to March 12, 2026. With the exam season gradually approaching, schools have been instructed to ensure that students receive a complete and authentic board-like atmosphere during Pre-Boards.

Pre-Boards to Follow the Same Pattern as Board Exams

The board has decided that everything—from question paper design to marking scheme and examination duration—will strictly follow the board format. This step aims to remove fear and confusion among students regarding board exam procedures.

Key features of the Pre-Board exams include:

• Total exam duration: 3 hours

• Additional 15 minutes for reading the question paper

• CCTV-monitored examination rooms for transparency

• Similar question structure and marks distribution as final board exams

• Strict adherence to exam rules and discipline

• Focus on enhancing students’ time management and problem-solving ability

The UPMSP believes that these measures will help students understand the actual board exam environment, improve their confidence, and strengthen their readiness for the final test.

Reserved Question Paper Sets to Be Used

The board has also clarified that question papers used for Pre-Boards will be sourced from the unused reserved sets of the 2025 exam papers. Schools will be provided these papers directly by the board to maintain a standardized testing approach across the state.

After the exams, schools will evaluate answer sheets at their own level. The marks obtained by each student will be uploaded on the UP Board’s official system to help track performance and readiness.

The council has instructed all schools to complete their preparations well ahead of schedule and ensure no negligence occurs during exam administration. The goal is to maintain transparency, fairness, and seriousness similar to the board exams.

Over 52 Lakh Students Set to Appear in 2026 Board Exams

This year, a massive number of students have registered for the final board examinations:

In total, 52,30,297 students are expected to sit for the UP Board Exam 2026, making it one of the largest board examinations in India.

The UP Board aims to make Pre-Board exams a powerful assessment tool that boosts readiness and ensures that every student enters the actual board hall well-prepared and confident.