CBSE Grading System & Marking Scheme For Class 10th & 12th

Among all the recognised education boards in India, CBSE and ICSE are the most preferred by students and parents alike. Over the years, the CBSE board has introduced several changes to enhance learning and assessment, including adjustments in the syllabus, modifications in the marking scheme, and the adoption of updated grading techniques. For students, understanding these updates is essential for better preparation and performance. The CBSE grading system is designed to assess knowledge, skills, and overall development, rather than just focusing on marks. This guide breaks down the grading system and marking scheme, making it easier for students to grasp how their academic performance is evaluated and what each grade signifies.

CBSE Board Exam Grading System for Class 10 in 2024-25

For the academic session 2024-25, the CBSE Class 10 Board Exams follow a structured grading system designed to evaluate students’ overall scholastic performance. Under this system, students are awarded grades from A to E instead of displaying exact numerical marks on report cards. This approach aims to provide a holistic assessment while reducing exam-related stress. The nine-point grading scale used to measure students’ academic achievements is explained in the table below, reflecting their relative performance in each subject.

CBSE Board Grading System for Class 10

The Class 10 Board Examinations cover the entire syllabus for each subject. To award grades, CBSE ranks all students who have passed and assigns grades based on their relative performance. The distribution is as follows:

• A-1: Top 1/8th of passed candidates
• A-2: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• B-1: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• B-2: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• C-1: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• C-2: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• D-1: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• D-2: Next 1/8th of passed candidates
• E: Essential Repeat

The above grading approach is used for subjects where more than 500 students pass. For subjects with fewer than 500 passing students, grades are assigned following the pattern of similar subjects to maintain consistency.

CBSE Grades According to Marks

Following are the list of CBSE grades according to the marks scored.

Marks Range	Grade	Grade Point
91–100	A1	10.0
81–90	A2	9.0
71–80	B1	8.0
61–70	B2	7.0
51–60	C1	6.0
41–50	C2	5.0
33–40	D	4.0
21–32	E1	Fail
00–20	E2	Fail

Understanding the Grades

• A1 Grade: 91–100 marks, grade point 10.0, representing excellent performance.
• D Grade: 33–40 marks, meeting the minimum passing requirement.
• E1 and E2 Grades: Below 33 marks, indicating the student has failed in the subject.

How to Calculate CGPA in CBSE Class 10

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by averaging the grade points of all main subjects.

Formula: CGPA=Sum of Grade Points in 5 Main Subjects/5

Example: Grade Points: 9, 8, 10, 7, 8

CGPA=9+8+10+7+8/5=8.4

Converting CGPA to Percentage=Percentage=CGPA*9.5

Example: If CGPA=8.4 then Percentage=8.4 x 9.5 = 79.8%

Note: This gives an indicative percentage for admissions/comparisons; CBSE treats it as an equivalence, not a precise back-calculation.

Explore: Exam Tips for Students to Get Success in Board Exams

CBSE Board Exam Grading System for Class 12 in 2024-25

The CBSE Class 12 grading system is designed to assess students holistically, moving away from a purely marks-based evaluation. Instead of focusing only on numerical scores, the system emphasises overall understanding, skills, and knowledge application. Students are awarded grades on a nine-point scale, ranging from A1 (highest) to E (requires improvement), which reflects their academic performance across subjects.

To understand how these grades are assigned and what they signify in terms of performance, it is important to look at the grade points corresponding to each grade.

Grade	Marks Range	Remark
A1	91–100	Outstanding
A2	81–90	Very Good
B1	71–80	Good
B2	61–70	Above Average
C1	51–60	Average
C2	41–50	Fair
D1	33–40	Needs Improvement
D2	21–32	Poor
E	0–20	Essential Repeat

This system ensures that students are assessed not just on memory or exam performance, but on comprehension, application, and skill development.

Grade Points in CBSE Class 12 Grading System

The CBSE Class 12 grading system uses alphabets A, B, C, D, and E to indicate a student’s performance in each subject. Each grade corresponds to a specific grade point, which helps in calculating the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). This grading system is carefully supervised by the Central Board of Secondary Education to ensure fair and consistent evaluation.

The nine-point grading system for Class 12 is as follows:

Marks Range	Grade	Grade Point	Remark
91–100	A1	10.0	Outstanding
81–90	A2	9.0	Very Good
71–80	B1	8.0	Good
61–70	B2	7.0	Above Average
51–60	C1	6.0	Average
41–50	C2	5.0	Fair
33–40	D	4.0	Needs Improvement
21–32	E1	C (Fail)	Essential Repeat
0–20	E2	C (Fail)	Essential Repeat

This structured approach ensures that students can clearly understand their performance levels, and the grade points form the basis for calculating CGPA, which reflects their overall achievement across all subjects.

Explore: FAQs on CBSE Board Exam

How CBSE Class 12 Board Grades are Calculated

The CBSE Class 12 grading system evaluates students’ overall performance using a nine-point scale, with grades ranging from A1 to E. Along with these grades, detailed remarks are provided to highlight students’ growth, skills, and development. This approach ensures that evaluation goes beyond mere marks and encourages holistic learning, preparing students for future academic and career opportunities.

To maintain fairness and consistency, CBSE uses a relative grading system. For subjects with more than 500 passing students, grades are assigned based on a standard rank-order method. In cases where fewer than 500 students pass a subject, the grading is adjusted according to patterns observed in similar subjects.

Calculating CGPA for CBSE Class 12

The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by averaging the grade points obtained in all subjects. The step-by-step process is as follows:

1. Find each subject’s grade points:
Note the grade point corresponding to each subject based on the CBSE grading system.

2. Add the grade points:
Sum all grade points across subjects.

3. Divide by the number of subjects:
The CGPA is the total grade points divided by the number of subjects.

Example of CGPA Calculation

Following is the method through which a student can calculate CGPA in class 12th.

Subject	Grade Point
English	7
Political Science	10
History	8
Geography	9
Economics	6
Total	40

CGPA Calculation:

CGPA=Total Grade Points/Number of Subjects

40/5=8

Converting CGPA to Percentage

To estimate the overall percentage from CGPA, multiply the CGPA by 9.5:

Percentage=CGPA*9.5

Example=8*9.5=76 percent

Subject-wise Grade Points to Percentage Reference

Find the list of grade points subject-wise for referring percentage

Marks Range	Grade	Grade Point	Percentage (CGPA × 9.5)
91–100	A1	10.0	95%
81–90	A2	9.0	85.5%
71–80	B1	8.0	76%
61–70	B2	7.0	66.5%
51–60	C1	6.0	57%
41–50	C2	5.0	47.5%
33–40	D1	4.0	38%
21–32	D2	C	Eligible for compartment exams
0–20	E	C	Eligible for compartment exams

CBSE Class 12 CGPA to Percentage Conversion Chart

This chart helps students quickly estimate their percentage based on CGPA. The percentage is calculated using the standard formula:

Percentage=CGPA×9.5 

CGPA	Percentage	CGPA	Percentage
10	95	7	66.5
9.9	94.05	6.9	65.55
9.8	93.1	6.8	64.6
9.7	92.15	6.7	63.65
9.6	91.2	6.6	62.7
9.5	90.25	6.5	61.75
9.4	89.3	6.4	60.8
9.3	88.35	6.3	59.85
9.2	87.4	6.2	58.9
9.1	86.45	6.1	57.95
9	85.5	6	57
8.9	84.55	5.9	56.05
8.8	83.6	5.8	55.1
8.7	82.65	5.7	54.15
8.6	81.7	5.6	53.2
8.5	80.75	5.5	52.25
8.4	79.8	5.4	51.3
8.3	78.85	5.3	50.35
8.2	77.9	5.2	49.4
8.1	76.95	5.1	48.45
8	76	5	47.5
7.9	75.05	4.9	46.55
7.8	74.1	4.8	45.6
7.7	73.15	4.7	44.65
7.6	72.2	4.6	43.7
7.5	71.25	4.5	42.75
7.4	70.3	4.4	41.8
7.3	69.35	4.3	40.85
7.2	68.4	4.2	39.9
7.1	67.45	4.1	38.95
4	38	—	—

Also Read: CBSE Guidelines for Board Exam

Benefits of the CBSE Grading System and Tips to Excel

The CBSE grading system is designed to make learning less stressful and more balanced. Instead of focusing only on marks, it emphasizes overall development and fair evaluation.

• Grades replace numerical scores, which helps ease exam-related stress. This approach also allows parents and teachers to identify areas of improvement without attaching negative judgments to a student’s performance.
• The system motivates students to focus not only on academics but also on co-curricular activities. By valuing sports, arts, and creative participation, it ensures a well-rounded learning experience.
• With grades instead of exact marks, students are less likely to be compared over minor differences. This creates healthy competition and encourages self-improvement rather than rivalry.
• Some practical tips to perform better includes, focus on chapter, regular revise and actively participate in class projects. 

In short, the CBSE grading system not only reduces pressure but also creates opportunities for students to grow academically and personally. This makes it one of the most student-friendly approaches to evaluation.

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