The CBSE Class 12 Board Exams are important for students in the Commerce, Arts, and Science streams. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has set specific passing criteria to ensure students are ready for higher studies or career opportunities. In this blog, we’ll break down these rules in simple terms, based on the guidelines from CBSE’s official website.
CBSE Class 12 offers three main streams: commerce, Arts, and science. Students can choose the stream that aligns with their interests and career goals. The board exams are scored out of 100, and divided into theory and practical assessments. Your results will be shown as both marks and grades. The weightage of theory and practical marks varies for each stream, and we’ll explain the details further in this blog.
In Class 12 Commerce, students typically have four main subjects, one language subject, and two optional subjects. The passing marks and grades out of 100 for CBSE Class 12 are explained in the table below.
Commerce Subject | Passing Marks | Passing Grade |
Accountancy | 33 | D |
Business Studies | 33 | D |
Economics | 33 | D |
English | 33 | D |
Hindi | 33 | D |
Informatics Practices or Mathematics (Optional) | 33 | D |
Physical Education (Optional) | 33 | D |
In CBSE Class 12 Arts, students typically study five main subjects along with one language subject. To pass each subject, students need to meet the minimum passing marks. The grades and passing marks for exams conducted out of 100 marks are explained in the table below.
Arts Subjects | Passing Marks | Passing Grade |
Sociology | 33 | D |
Political Science | 33 | D |
Psychology | 33 | D |
History | 33 | D |
English | 33 | D |
Hindi | 33 | D |
In CBSE Class 12 Science, students can choose between two categories: Biology (Medical) or Computer Science. They select one of these subjects, while the rest of the subjects remain the same. The passing marks and grades out of 100 are detailed in the table below.
Science Subject | Passing Marks | Passing Grade |
Science | 33 | D |
Physics | 33 | D |
Chemistry | 33 | D |
Mathematics | 33 | D |
Biology (for medical) | 33 | D |
English | 33 | D |
Hindi | 33 | D |
Computer Science | 33 | D |
In Class 12, the theory and practical marks differ from subject to subject in Commerce, Arts, and Science, but the total marks for each subject are out of 100. For better understanding, we’ve explained this in the table below.
Commerce Subject | Maximum Theory Marks | Maximum Practical Marks | Total |
Accountancy | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Business Studies | 70 | 30 | 100 |
Economics | 70 | 30 | 100 |
English | 70 | 20 | 100 |
Hindi | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Informatics Practices or Mathematics (Optional) | 70 | 30 | 100 |
Physical Education (Optional)
| 70 | 30 | 100 |
Arts Subjects | Maximum Theory Marks | Maximum Practical Marks | Total |
Sociology | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Political Science | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Psychology | 70 | 30 | 100 |
History | 80 | 20 | 100 |
English | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Hindi | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Science Subject | Maximum Theory Marks | Maximum Practical Marks | Total |
Physics | 70 | 30 | 100 |
Chemistry | 70 | 30 | 100 |
Mathematics | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Biology (for medical) | 70 | 30 | 100 |
English | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Hindi | 80 | 20 | 100 |
Computer Science | 70 | 30 | 100 |
In CBSE Class 12, grades are based on the marks students get in each subject, using a 9-point grading scale. Both theory and practical marks are included in the final grade calculation. Here's the full grading system:
Marks Range | Grade | Grade Point |
91-100 | A1 | 10 |
81-90 | A2 | 9 |
71-80 | B1 | 8 |
61-70 | B2 | 7 |
51-60 | C1 | 6 |
41-50 | C2 | 5 |
33-40 | D | 4 |
21-32 | E1 | Fail |
0-20 | E2 | Fail |
If a student gets a grade below D (E1 or E2), they haven’t passed that subject and will need to take an improvement exam to improve their grade.
If a student feels their marks are incorrect or lower than expected and they believe they performed better, they can apply for revaluation after the results are released. This process reminds the teacher to recheck the paper. If the marks are found to be higher, the scores will be updated accordingly.
Education is a right for every student, and to support students with different needs, CBSE offers special provisions under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. These measures aim to provide equal opportunities and ensure a smooth exam experience for all students.
Students with special needs may get extra time during board exams, typically up to one hour, based on their condition.
Students who face challenges in reading or writing can have a scribe or reader assist them during the exam.
In some cases, students may receive modified question papers with larger fonts or simpler language to suit their needs.
Students with physical disabilities may be allowed to use assistive tools, such as calculators, where required during the exam.
Some students can take their exams at designated centers equipped with the necessary facilities and support.
Depending on their specific condition, students may receive the relaxation in the minimum marks required to pass the CBSE exam.
These provisions ensure that students with disabilities can appear for their CBSE Class 12 exams comfortably and without unnecessary challenges.
Board exams are an important milestone that can shape their future careers. The marks students score will play a major role in deciding the stream they specialize in and help them choose the right college for further studies.
To score well in board exams, having a solid study plan and managing time effectively is key. Many students feel nervous and look for helpful tips to perform their best in every subject. Here are some practical tips to guide you:
To pass your CBSE Class 12 exams, you need to score at least 33% or a Grade D in both the theory and practical exams for every subject.
The CBSE Class 12 exam schedule for 2025 was released in November 2024 on the official CBSE website. Use this timetable to plan your studies and focus more on the subjects you find challenging.
Start your study routine early and make time for regular revisions. Focus on the key chapters and concepts, and practice solving sample papers and previous years’ questions to build confidence.
Take mock exams to get used to the exam format and improve your time management skills. Simulating real exam conditions will help you stay calm and perform better on the actual day.
Scoring high in your CBSE exams may feel challenging, but with the right approach and support, it’s achievable. Interval’s crash course for CBSE Class 12 is designed to help you stay on track and focused. Our personalized one-on-one sessions cover all the key topics clearly and simply. With guidance from our expert tutors and a strong support system, we’ll help you reach your goals. Join us now and build strong roots for your bright future!
The student is given another opportunity to take a supplementary exam to improve their marks.
To pass in any subject, students need to score at least 33 out of 100 marks.
No, the passing marks are the same for all streams, including Arts, Science, and Commerce.
In the Class 12 exam, a grade E means the student has not met the minimum passing criteria and needs to take a supplementary exam to improve their marks.
