CBSE Grading System 2026 Class 10 & 12 - Know All About 9-Point Grading System

CBSE Class 10, 12th Grading System 2026

To award the grades in the CBSE board result 2026, CBSE puts all the passed students in rank order and awards the final grades as per the following table:

CBSE Grading System 2026 for Class 10

CBSE Grading System 2026 for Class 12

CBSE Grading System 2026 Explained for Class 10 and 12

Below, we have explained the meaning of CBSE grades for Class 10 and 12

What is an A1 grade in CBSE?

A1 is a positional grade in CBSE Class 10 and 12. It means that the candidate is among the top 1/8th of the passed candidates in that subject.

What is an A2 grade in CBSE?

The next 1/8th of the passed candidates in that subject are kept in A2 grade.

What is the B1 grade in CBSE?

B1 means that the candidate scored marks among the next /8th of the passed candidates in that subject

Important Pointers related to CBSE 10th and 12th Class Grading System

• Slight adjustments in the proportion of candidates may be implemented to resolve ties.
• If students have the same score, they will receive the same grade. If there is a need to split students with the same score, the smaller group will be combined with the larger one.
• This method of CBSE grading is used in subjects where the number of candidates who have passed is more than 500.
• For subjects with fewer than 500 passing candidates, grading will follow the pattern used in grading and distribution for similar subjects.

CBSE Class 9 Grading System 2026

The assessment scheme for CBSE Class 9 is the same as that of CBSE 10th std. However, the grading scheme for Class 9 is as follows:

CBSE Class 11 Grading System 2026

For CBSE Class 11, it is recommended to use absolute grading, considering the total number of students from a school. In contrast, the class 12 uses positional grading. The CBSE Class 11 assessment scheme is similar to Class 12th. However, the grading system which is followed is mentioned in the following table:

Hypothetical Example: Grading Distribution for 1,00,000 Students

To better understand how the CBSE 9-point grading system works, let us take a hypothetical example of 1,00,000 students appearing for an exam. How the grades would be distributed based on the grading system, assuming all students have passed the exam is mentioned below:

Explanation of the Example:

• Since all 1,00,000 students passed, they are divided equally among the 8 grades from A-1 to D-2, with 12,500 students in each grade.

• If some students failed, they would be placed in the E (Essential Repeat) category, and the number of students in the other grades would be adjusted accordingly.

• This distribution reflects the CBSE’s proportional grading system, ensuring that grades are awarded fairly based on the relative performance of students.

Benefits of 9-Point Grading System 2026 in CBSE

The 9-point grading system of CBSE provides a comprehensive approach to evaluating students’ performances. Mentioned below are the several benefits of the CBSE 9-point grading system which is followed for both 10th and 12th grades:

• The CBSE grading system may reduce stress among students as it offers a comprehensive evaluation which is more inclusive.
• The CBSE 9-point grading scale aligns with international standards, making it easier to understand and compare the academic performance of students globally.
• The standardised grading system makes it easier for students to transition between different schools or educational systems, both on national and international levels.
• Using a nine-point scale for grading helps reduce direct comparisons among students, promoting a learning environment that is more positive and collaborative.

Also, check:

• CBSE Passing Marks 2026
• CBSE Result DigiLocker
• CBSE Sample Papers