CBSE Class 10 board exam 2024 passing criteria, eligibility for compartment; all you need to know

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has concluded the CBSE Class 10 board exam 2024. The CBSE Class 10 results 2024 is expected to be announced in the second week of May. Nearly 20 lakh candidates appeared in the Class 10 exams this year, as per reports.

The CBSE Board introduced the Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation (CCE) and the optional board exam for Class 10 in 2010 and continued till 2017. Later in 2018, the board re-introduced mandatory board exams for Class 10. As per the marking scheme, students will have to score a minimum passing mark of 33% in both theory and practical exams separately.

There are a total of five major subjects in Class 10 - English, Hindi, mathematics, science and social science. Last year, the CBSE Board relaxed the criteria for students who studied mathematics standard in Class 10 to opt for maths in Class 11. The board introduced two-level mathematics for the All India Secondary School Examination in 2019 and the rules were relaxed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It further clarified that the CBSE Class 10 mathematics rule will be applicable from 2024.

“Letter grades on a nine-point scale shall be used for subjects of external examinations. However, for subjects of internal examination in Class 10 the assessment shall be made on a five point scale I.e. A,B,C,D & E,” the board said.

No overall division, distinction, aggregate will be awarded. “A language offered as an additional subject may replace a language in the event of a candidate failing in the same provided after replacement the candidate has English/Hindi as one of the languages; and the replacement shall satisfy the conditions as laid down in the Scheme of Studies for appearing in external examination and result shall be declared subject to fulfilment of other conditions laid down in the Pass Criteria,” the rule read.

Eligibility for compartment exam

A student who is declared failed in two of the five subjects of external examination will be placed in compartment provided they qualifies in all the subjects of internal assessment.

Compartment exams are usually conducted in July-August and the students will also be allowed to appear in the next year’s March-April board exam as well. However, if a student who does not appear or fails in one or all the chances will be required to re-appear in all subjects at the subsequent annual exam.

Students will also be have an option to appear at the practical examination in the subjects involving practical or retain their previous marks in one more annual examination after the third chance compartment.

What if you fail in practical exam?

In case a student fails in theory exam, the previous practical marks will be carried forward. However, if they fail in the practical exams, they will have to appear in both theory and practical again irrespective of the fact that they already passed the theory paper.