New Delhi . : The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has specified the scheme of examinations and pass criteria for the Secondary School Examination (Class 10) and Senior School Certificate Examination (Class 12). The rules cover external and internal assessments, grading, minimum qualifying marks, compartment examinations, additional subjects and improvement of performance.
According to the examination scheme, Class 9 and Class 11 examinations are conducted internally by schools, while CBSE conducts the external examinations at the end of Class 10 and Class 12.
CBSE Class 10 and 12 Examination Scheme
The Class 10 and Class 12 examinations are based on the syllabi prescribed by CBSE for the respective academic year. The number of papers, duration and marks for individual subjects are specified in the curriculum.
Depending on the subject, assessment may include theory and practical examinations. Marks or grades are awarded for individual subjects, while no aggregate marks are awarded.
Class 12 Examination
For the Senior School Certificate Examination, CBSE conducts examinations in all subjects except General Studies, Work Experience, and Physical and Health Education, which are assessed internally by schools.
In subjects examined by the Board, students generally have one paper carrying 100 marks for three hours. Subjects requiring practical assessment have separate theory and practical components as prescribed in the syllabus.
Students can also offer an additional subject, which may be a language at the elective level or another elective subject permitted under the Scheme of Studies.
CBSE Passing Criteria for Class 10 and 12
Students appearing for the external examinations must secure at least 33% marks in each subject to qualify.
For Class 12 subjects involving practical work, students must secure:
- At least 33% marks in theory
- At least 33% marks in practical
- At least 33% marks in aggregate in the subject
Students must also obtain a grade higher than E in the subjects assessed internally, unless they have been granted an exemption.
CBSE does not award an overall division, distinction or aggregate.
CBSE Grading System
For subjects assessed through external examinations, CBSE awards numerical scores as well as grades on a nine-point scale.
The grades are distributed among passed candidates as follows:
| Grade | Distribution among passed candidates |
|---|---|
| A-1 | Top 1/8th |
| A-2 | Next 1/8th |
| B-1 | Next 1/8th |
| B-2 | Next 1/8th |
| C-1 | Next 1/8th |
| C-2 | Next 1/8th |
| D-1 | Next 1/8th |
| D-2 | Next 1/8th |
| E | Failed candidates |
Minor adjustments may be made to account for ties. If candidates receive the same score, they are awarded the same grade.
For internal assessment subjects in Class 10, evaluation is carried out on a five-point scale — A, B, C, D and E.
CBSE Class 10 Internal Assessment
For the Secondary School Examination, schools conduct the assessment of:
- Work Experience
- Art Education
- Physical and Health Education
The assessment is based on the student's continuous performance and cumulative records maintained by the school.
Other subjects are externally examined by CBSE according to the prescribed examination scheme.
CBSE Compartment Examination Rules
Students who do not qualify in certain subjects may be eligible for a compartment examination.
For the Class 12 examination, a candidate failing in one of the five external examination subjects may be placed in compartment, provided the candidate qualifies in all internal assessment subjects.
For the Class 10 examination, a candidate failing in two of the five external examination subjects may be placed in compartment, subject to fulfilling the internal assessment requirements.
Students placed in compartment can appear for the compartment examination conducted in July/August. The rules also provide for subsequent opportunities in March/April and July/August of the following cycle.
A candidate who fails to qualify through the available compartment opportunities is required to appear again in all subjects in the subsequent annual examination.
CBSE Rules for Practical Subjects
For subjects involving practical examinations, students who have already passed the practical component but need to reappear in theory may have their previous practical marks carried forward, as specified in the rules.
Candidates who have failed the practical component are required to appear in both theory and practical examinations, irrespective of whether they have passed the theory component.
CBSE Improvement of Performance
Students who have already passed the Class 10 or Class 12 examination can apply for improvement of performance in one or more subjects.
For the Senior School Certificate Examination, a candidate may appear for improvement in the main examination of the succeeding year. Candidates under the Vocational Scheme have provisions for an additional opportunity under the specified conditions.
For the Secondary School Examination, candidates may appear for improvement in one or more subjects in the main examination of the succeeding year, provided they have not pursued higher studies during the intervening period.
Candidates appearing for improvement are issued a Statement of Marks reflecting the marks from the main examination and the improvement examination.
A student appearing for improvement in one or more subjects cannot simultaneously appear for an additional subject.
CBSE Additional Subject Rules
Students who have passed the Secondary or Senior School Certificate Examination can offer an additional subject as private candidates, provided the subject is included in the Scheme of Studies.
The additional subject must be offered within six years of passing the examination. The facility is available only in the annual examination.
The rules also specify circumstances under which an additional language or elective subject can replace a subject in which a candidate has failed.
CBSE Merit Certificates
CBSE awards merit certificates in individual subjects to the top 0.1% of candidates who pass that subject, subject to the prescribed conditions.
The number of certificates is determined by rounding the number of candidates passing the subject to the nearest multiple of 1,000. No merit certificate is issued where fewer than 500 candidates have passed a subject.
In case of a tie, all candidates securing the relevant score receive the merit certificate.
Provisions for Students with Disabilities and Specific Learning Needs
The examination scheme also provides certain subject options for dyslexic and spastic candidates and candidates with visual or hearing impairments.
Such candidates have the option of studying one compulsory language instead of two, in accordance with the Board's provisions.
In addition to one language, they can choose four subjects from options including:
- Mathematics
- Science and Technology
- Social Science
- Another language
- Music
- Painting
- Home Science
- Introductory Information Technology
What Students Should Know
The CBSE examination scheme establishes separate requirements for external examinations, internal assessments, practical subjects and compartment examinations. Students need to meet the minimum qualifying requirements in their individual subjects rather than relying on an overall aggregate.
The rules also provide opportunities for students who are placed in compartment, want to improve their performance after passing, or wish to take an additional subject, subject to the conditions prescribed by CBSE.
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