CBSE 2025 New Grading Pattern—What Students Must Know: Of all the recognised boards of examination, ISCE and CBSC remain the most preferred ones in the country. CBSE Class 10 students are graded from A1 (91-100 marks) to E2 (below 20 marks), ensuring a holistic evaluation. Achieving an A1 grade reflects outstanding performance with a grade point of 10.0.
CBSE 2025 New Grading Pattern
Starting from the former section of the CBSE grading system and marking scheme, let’s get into the respective ones for Class 10 and Class 12.
From the 2009-2010 academic year, the Central Board of Secondary Education implemented a grading system for students in classes 10 and 12. As a result, the grade will be assigned on a 5-point scale ranging from A to E.
CBSE grading system for class 10
CBSE normally uses a 9-point grading scale, assigning grades from A1 to E based on students’ marks.
|
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 |
The Grade System in CBSE
- An A1 grade, marks between 91 and 100, with a grade point of 10.0, shows outstanding performance.
- D grade: Marks between 33 and 40, indicating the minimum passing requirement.
- E1 and E2 Grade: Marks below 33, indicating failure in the subject.
CBSE Grading System 2025 for Class 12
The grading systems are represented by alphabets, specifically A, B, C, D, and E. The Class 12 grading system was developed under the stringent supervision of the Central Board of Secondary Education for board exams.
|
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 |
C |
|
00–20 |
E2 |
C |
Benefits of the CBSE Grading System
- Stress Reduction: It makes the classroom less stressful by removing the pressure on pupils to achieve good grades.
- Equitable Assessment: The approach takes into account students’ talents in areas other than academics, like extracurricular activities and athletics.
- Consistency and Fairness: Because it takes into consideration variances in question paper difficulty, it offers a more consistent and equitable method of assessment.
Why the Change?
CBSE officials stated that the shift was informed by concerns around mark inflation, unhealthy competition, and student stress. In recent years, the phenomenon of exceedingly high cutoffs for college admissions and pressure to score above 95% has drawn criticism from educators and parents alike.
Practical Tips to Excel in the CBSE Grading System
- Focus on Competency-Based Questions: Understand concepts thoroughly to tackle application-based problems effectively.
- Use NCERT Resources: NCERT textbooks and CBSE sample papers are ideal for preparation.
- Leverage: Actively participate in projects, assignments, and classroom activities to secure high internal marks.
- Develop Consistent Study Habits: Regular revisions and mock tests improve subject retention and exam readiness.
In a significant shift from its traditional absolute marking system, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced a relative grading system for Classes 10 and 12 board examinations in 2024. The aim at aligning assessment with global academic standards marks a notable change in how student performance is evaluated and reported.
Under the relative grading model, students of the school have their scores assessed in comparison to the performance of the entire cohort, rather than on an absolute scale. The individual marks are interpreted in the context of the group’s overall performance, potentially reducing the pressure of achieving ‘perfect scores’ and bringing greater fairness in grade distribution.
Conclusion
In this article we discussed the CBSE 2025 New Grading Pattern—What Students Must Know: Of all the recognized boards of examination, ISCE and CBSC remain the most preferred ones in the country. CBSE officials stated that the shift was informed by concerns around mark inflation, unhealthy competition, and student stress.
FAQs
1. Does the grading system apply to all CBSE schools?
Yes, the grading system applies uniformly to all CBSE-affiliated schools, ensuring consistency and fairness across the board.
2. What is the grading system that CBSE uses?
CBSE uses a five-point cum-nine-point grading system.
3. What is the grading system in CBSE?
CBSE Class 10 students are graded from A1 (91-100 marks) to E2 (below 20 marks), ensuring a holistic evaluation.
4. How to calculate a grade in CBSE?
Calculate a grade in CBSE by the example mentioned below.
Step 1: Add the grade points 9+8+7+8+8=40.
Step 2: Divide the sum by 5. 40/5=8.
Thus, your CGPA is 8.0
5. Does the grading system apply to all CBSE schools?
Yes, the grading system applies uniformly to all CBSE-affiliated schools, ensuring consistency and fairness across the board.
Mark Delyn focuses on education, learning methods, and academic trends. Her work supports students, educators, and lifelong learners with practical and timely insights.
