CBSE Best of Five Rule - Read Complete Features, Insights and Benefits of this Rule

The ‘CBSE Best of Five Rule’ introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education is an evaluation strategy intended to benefit students by considering their top-performing subjects while calculating their final aggregate in CBSE 12th exams and CBSE 10th exams. The CBSE’s Best of Five rule aims to reduce academic stress and provide students with a fair opportunity to achieve better scores based on their strengths.

New: CBSE Class 12 Date Sheet 2025 Declared; Direct Link

Sample Papers 2025: Physics | Chemistry | Biology | Maths | Computer Science | Economics

Sample Papers 2025: English-Core | English-Elective | Hindi-Core | Hindi-Elective | History

This Story also Contains

1. What is the CBSE Best of Five Rule?
2. CBSE Best of Five Rule - Important Insights
3. Benefits of the CBSE Board Best of Five Rule
4. Passing Criteria for CBSE Board Examination

It is essential to note that CBSE does not calculate or officially declare the percentage of marks for students. If the percentage is required for higher education admissions or employment purposes, the admitting institution or employer can calculate the percentage by considering the marks in the top-performing five subjects. This ensures consistency in percentage determination based on institutional criteria. In this article, we have explored several benefits of the CBSE Best of Five Rule and explained its primary elements and other relevant details.

What is the CBSE Best of Five Rule?

• The CBSE Best of Five Rule applies primarily to the CBSE results of Class 10, and 12th students.

• According to this rule, the marks obtained in the five best-performing subjects are considered while calculating the aggregate percentage.

• This Best of Five rule enables students to showcase their calibre in their strong subjects, ensuring that lower scores in other subjects do not disproportionately affect their final scores.

CBSE Best of Five Rule - Important Insights

Selection of Subjects:

• Out of all the subjects studied, the five subjects in which the student scored the highest marks are chosen for calculating the percentage.

Mandatory Inclusion of Core Subjects:

• While selecting the best five, English or Hindi (whichever is higher) is to be included as a compulsory language subject.

Subjects Eligible for Consideration:

• Subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and other elective or vocational subjects are included in the pool for selection.

Role of Institutions in the Calculation of Scores

• If a student has studied more than five subjects, the decision to determine the best five subjects is often taken by the admitting institution or employer. The CBSE itself does not calculate, declare, or inform the percentage of marks.

Weightage Adjustment

• Internal and external assessment marks, such as theory and practical exams, are combined and included in the calculations for eligible subjects.

Exception for Compartment Exams

• The CBSE Best of Five rule applies to regular annual examinations and not to compartment or supplementary exams.

Benefits of the CBSE Board Best of Five Rule

• There is great stress reduction. By focusing on top-performing subjects, students experience less anxiety about underperforming in difficult areas.

• It ensures fair assessment criteria and a balanced evaluation, highlighting the student's strengths.

• The rule can significantly boost the overall percentage, benefiting students during admissions to higher secondary schools.

Passing Criteria for CBSE Board Examination

Along with understanding the Best of Five rule, it is important for students and parents to also be aware of the passing criteria for CBSE examinations, which vary for Class 10 and Class 12.

The CBSE passing criteria for both Class 10 and Class 12 are intended to ensure that students meet the academic standards necessary to progress in their education. These criteria complement the Best of Five rule by further clarifying how students' results are assessed across different subjects. Read below to know details:

Pass Criteria for CBSE Class 10 (Secondary School Examination)

To be eligible for the Pass Certificate, the following conditions must be met:

• A student must obtain a grade higher than 'E' in all subjects of internal assessment unless exempted. If this condition is not met, the result of the external examination will be withheld, but not for more than one year.

• In order to pass, a candidate must achieve a grade higher than 'E' (i.e., at least 33%) in all five subjects in the external examination, whether the main or compartmental exams. For subjects with practical work, students must obtain at least 33% marks in both the theory and practical components, in addition to 33% in aggregate.

• If a student offers an additional subject, the following norms apply:

• 
  

  • A language may replace a failed language, provided English/Hindi is still one of the languages.

  • An elective subject may replace another elective, or a language may replace an elective, provided that English/Hindi remains a language.

• No overall division or distinction is awarded at the Class 10 level.

Passing Criteria for Class 12 (Senior School Certificate Examination)

The following criteria apply to pass the CBSE Class 12 exams:

• A student must obtain a grade higher than 'E' in all internal assessments unless exempted.

• Students need to secure at least 33% marks in the external examination for each subject, including practicals, and in aggregate to pass.

• In Class 12, if a student offers an additional language or elective subject, they can replace a failed subject with one of these additional offerings, as long as the conditions on language requirements are met (English/Hindi as one of the languages).

• No overall division or distinction is awarded in Class 12.