Every year, thousands of students take the CBSE Class 10 board exams. Knowing the passing marks for Class 10 is important for success. Whether you want to score high or just pass, it’s important to know the minimum passing marks. You should also understand the grading system and passing criteria.
In this blog, we will cover what you need to know about CBSE Class 10 passing marks. We will explain how to calculate them and what happens if you fail. We will also discuss how internal assessments work. Finally, we will give tips to help you score above the minimum requirements. Let’s dive in!
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has specific rules for determining passing marks in Class 10. To pass the CBSE Class 10 exams, students must score a minimum of 33% marks in both theory and practical exams. This applies to all subjects, whether it’s Maths, Science, Social Studies, or Languages.
For example:
Case Study: In 2023, 12% of students failed due to neglecting practical exams. For example, scoring 15/20 in a 20-mark internal assessment leads to failure even if you ace theory.
The CBSE uses a grading system to evaluate students’ performance in Class 10. Instead of percentage marks, students are awarded grades ranging from A1 (highest) to E (lowest).
Here’s how the grading system works:
| Grade | Percentage Range | Grade Point |
| A1 | 91-100% | 10 |
| A2 | 81-90% | 9 |
| B1 | 71-80% | 8 |
| B2 | 61-70% | 7 |
| C1 | 51-60% | 6 |
| C2 | 41-50% | 5 |
| D | 33-40% | 4 |
| E | Below 33% (Fail) | No Grade |
The grading system ensures a fair evaluation and reduces the pressure of scoring exact percentages. However, students must still meet the minimum passing marks to avoid failing.
To pass CBSE Class 10, students must score at least 33% marks in each subject. This applies to both theory and practical exams. Here’s a breakdown of the minimum passing marks for different paper formats:
| Total Marks | Passing Marks |
| 70 marks | 23 marks |
| 80 marks | 27 marks |
| 100 marks | 33 marks |
| 50 marks | 17 marks |
| 30 marks | 10 marks |
| 20 marks | 7 marks |
If a subject includes both theory and practical components, students must score 33% separately in each component to pass. For example, in Science, you need to score 33% in theory and 33% in practicals to pass the subject.
Calculating CBSE Class 10 passing marks is simple. Here’s how you can do it:
This calculation applies to all subjects, including Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Languages.
Apart from board exams, CBSE includes internal assessments in various subjects. These assessments play a crucial role in determining final marks.
Scoring well in internal assessments can significantly improve overall performance and help in achieving passing marks.
Many subjects, especially Science, Computer Science, and Languages, include practical exams that carry weightage in the final marks. Students must secure at least 33% marks in both the practical and theory exams separately to pass.
For example:
Scoring well in practical exams can boost overall marks, helping students pass comfortably.
The CBSE Class 10 passing criteria require students to:
Students who fail in one or two subjects can appear for compartment exams conducted by CBSE. The passing marks for compartment exams are the same as the regular exams (33%).
If a student fails in more than two subjects, they may need to repeat the class or appear for improvement exams conducted by CBSE.
If you think there is a mistake in the marking, CBSE lets students ask for revaluation and rechecking of their answer sheets. Students must submit a request within the stipulated time after the results are announced. Revaluation involves a detailed review of answer sheets, while rechecking verifies calculation errors.
Students who fail in one or two subjects can appear for compartment exams conducted by CBSE. The passing marks for compartment exams are the same as the regular exams (33%).
For example:
Myth 1: “Practical exams are easier than theory.”
Fact: 17% of students fail practicals due to incomplete lab records.
Myth 2: “You can pass with 32.5% marks.”
Fact: CBSE rounds down decimals. 32.9% = 32% = Fail.
Myth 3: “All subjects have the same passing criteria.”
Fact: Skill-based subjects (e.g., Painting) have internal assessments only.
The passing marks out of 70 are 23 marks.
You will need to appear for compartment exams in those subjects.
Yes, good internal assessment scores can improve your overall performance.
Yes, practical exam marks contribute to your overall score, and you must pass them separately.