CBSE Class 10 Passing Marks: The CBSE follows a standardised assessment and grading policy to evaluate the class 10th students across the world. Understanding this grading system is important for all the students, parents, and even educators so that each party knows if the student has failed or passed. This article provides a comprehensive view of the CBSE class 10 passing marks 2025 and its grading system.
The Central Board of Secondary Education follows a simple policy for passing marks, where the student must score at least 33% marks in all the subjects and the internal assessments to be declared as ‘Pass’. The overall pass percentage also stands at 33%. Therefore, the students who do not fulfil this 33% criteria in any of the subject will be considered as ‘Fail’ in the subject.
For example - If a subject has 80 marks for theory and 20 marks for internal assessment, the student must score at least 27 out of 80 in theory and 7 out of 20 in internal to pass that subject.
Note: Failing to secure 33% in either component will result in failure in that subject, regardless of the total score.
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CBSE Class 10 Passing Marks
The CBSE has set clear guidelines on the passing marks criteria. The students must meet these minimum marks guidelines to pass the examination.
Component | Passing Criteria |
Theory (Board Exam) | 33% marks in each subject |
Internal Assessment/Practical | 33% marks in each component |
Overall | 33% marks in aggregate per subject |
CBSE Class 10 Grading System
CBSE follows a 9 point grading system to assess the performance of the students. These grades are relative, meaning that the grades are awarded to students based on their performance compared to the peers or other students. Tabulated below is a detailed guide on this 9 point grading system of CBSE.
Grade | Marks Range | Grade Point | Performance |
A1 | 91 – 100 | 10 | Outstanding |
A2 | 81 – 90 | 9 | Excellent |
B1 | 71 – 80 | 8 | Very Good |
B2 | 61 – 70 | 7 | Good |
C1 | 51 – 60 | 6 | Fair |
C2 | 41 – 50 | 5 | Average |
D | 33 – 40 | 4 | Marginal |
E1 | 21 – 32 | - | Needs Improvement |
E2 | 00 – 20 | - | Failed |
The E1 and E2 grades in the above table are considered as failed grades, and the student under this category will be required to appear in the CBSE compartment exams. You can also read what is essential repeat in CBSE.
Some important things to keep in mind
Below are a few pointers which the students must remember with regards to the CBSE class 10 passing marks
- Practical/Project Work marks are crucial, especially in Science, IT, and vocational subjects.
- Students failing in one or two subjects are eligible for a compartment exam.
- Grace marks may be awarded in borderline cases, at the discretion of CBSE.
- The grading system promotes comparative assessment rather than absolute scoring to reduce pressure.
