In a significant move aimed at strengthening continuous assessment, the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has issued fresh guidelines for the academic session 2026-27, making students’ performance in class tests, term examinations and pre-board examinations an important component of their final board results.According to the new circular, students of Classes VIII, X and XII will now be evaluated not only on the basis of their final board examinations but also through assessments conducted throughout the academic year. The decision applies to all government, semi-government, aided and recognised schools across the state.As per the revised examination schedule, schools will conduct at least two bi-monthly class tests during the session. The first test must be completed by July 15, while the second will be held between the last week of November and the first week of December. A term examination will be conducted in September and schools have been directed to complete pre-board examinations by January 31, 2027.The board has made it mandatory for schools to upload subject-wise marks obtained by students in term and pre-board examinations on the official PSEB portal by February 25. These examinations must be conducted strictly according to the model question papers and marking schemes prescribed by the board. To ensure transparency and accountability, schools have also been instructed to preserve all examination records for three years after the declaration of results, during which the board may conduct inspections whenever required.The new norms will also apply to students enrolled under the open school system. Such candidates will be required to appear in assessment tests and pre-board examinations during the Personal Contact Programme (PCP) and their scores will be incorporated proportionately under the Internal Assessment (INA) framework.Board officials stated that the primary objective of the initiative is to strengthen the Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system for Class VIII and the Internal Assessment (INA) mechanism for Classes X and XII. With internal examinations now carrying greater weight in the final result, students will be expected to maintain consistent academic performance throughout the year rather than relying solely on the board examination.