Percentage Needed in Class 10th to Select Science, Commerce and Arts Streams

Percentage Needed in Class 10th to Select Science, Commerce and Arts Streams

Upcoming Event

CBSE Class 10th Exam Date:01 Jan' 26 - 14 Feb' 26

Manasvini GuptaUpdated on 03 Oct 2025, 10:31 AM IST

Picking a particular stream is a very important decision for a student after clearing Class 10 boards. It charts out future career prospects. Selecting among Science, Commerce, and Arts streams requires careful consideration of one’s aptitude and interests, rather than solely focusing on marks achieved in Class 10 board results.

This Story also Contains

  1. Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select the Science Stream
  2. Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select Commerce Stream
  3. Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select Arts or Humanities Stream
  4. Things to Consider Before Opting for a Stream After Class 10th
  5. Can a Student Change their Stream Later?
Percentage Needed in Class 10th to Select Science, Commerce and Arts Streams
Percentage Needed in Class 10th to Select Science, Commerce and Arts Streams

With that being said, at most private schools, it is noticed that the Science stream is offered to students with higher scores in Class 10. In contrast, the Commerce and Arts streams are accessible with relatively flexible criteria.

Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select the Science Stream

  • Science is one of the most sought-after streams, particularly for students aspiring to enter engineering, medical, research, or technology fields.

  • Most schools prefer students scoring 70% and above in Class 10 to be eligible for the Science stream.

  • A stronger emphasis is usually placed on marks in Mathematics and Science subjects. Top schools may raise the benchmark to 80-85%, especially if the student wants Mathematics as a core subject.

Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select Commerce Stream

  • Commerce is a popular choice for students interested in fields such as business, finance, management, accountancy, or economics. Unlike Science, the percentage cut-off is more lenient.

  • Generally, students with 50-60% and above in Class 10th are considered eligible.

  • However, some schools may give preference to students with stronger performance in Mathematics, especially if they opt for subjects like Economics or Mathematics.

Percentage Needed in Class 10 to Select Arts or Humanities Stream

  • Arts or Humanities offers a wide range of subjects, including Political Science, History, Sociology, Psychology, and more. It is a versatile stream suited for careers in civil services, media, law, education, and creative industries.

  • Students who have achieved passing marks in Class 10th and above are allowed to opt for the Arts streams by most schools.

  • Unlike Science or Commerce, schools rarely impose strict percentage requirements for opting for the Humanities stream, as it is generally considered easier to study and is more interest-oriented.

CBSE Class 10th Syllabus 2025-26
Students can access the subject-wise CBSE Class 10 syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session.
Check Now

Things to Consider Before Opting for a Stream After Class 10th

  • Students must understand that marks alone should not be the deciding factor when choosing a stream. Students should carefully evaluate their aptitude, long-term goals, and subject interest.

  • Career counselling sessions and discussions with teachers or mentors can help students identify the stream that aligns with their strengths.

Can a Student Change their Stream Later?

  • Some schools allow students to change streams after admission, provided seats are available and the student fulfils the eligibility criteria.

  • However, shifting from Commerce or Arts to Science is rare, as it requires a strong foundation in Mathematics and Science subjects.

  • Students are advised to make their choice thoughtfully at the beginning to avoid difficulties later.

Read More: Complete Guide to Choosing a Stream After Class 10th

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is there a fixed CBSE or state board rule for the percentage needed to choose Science, Commerce, or Arts?
A:

There is no fixed rule for national and state boards. National boards such as CBSE and various state boards have not officially laid out any fixed percentage criteria. The eligibility criteria depend on individual schools’ rules and norms. For the Bihar and Maharashtra boards, students can check the BSEB Inter cut-off scores and  Maharashtra FYJC cut-off scores to understand the marks required to get enrolled in the stream of choice for plus two.

Q: Can a student with less than 60% opt for Science?
A:

Some schools may allow it, but generally, higher marks (above 70%) are preferred for Science.

Q: Can I choose Commerce without Maths in Class 11?
A:

Yes, Mathematics is an optional subject in Commerce, though it is recommended for students planning careers in finance, economics, or management.

Articles
|
Upcoming School Exams
Ongoing Dates
Maharashtra SSC Board Late Fee Application Date

1 Nov'25 - 31 Dec'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
Maharashtra HSC Board Late Fee Application Date

1 Nov'25 - 31 Dec'25 (Online)

Ongoing Dates
CGSOS 12th Application Date

1 Dec'25 - 15 Jan'26 (Online)

Certifications By Top Providers
Explore Top Universities Across Globe

Questions related to CBSE Class 10th

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to CBSE Class 10th ?

Good Morning, candidate,

The question papers will be available soon at the link attached herewith. You can keep an eye on the website of careers360. it will provide you perfect pattern of question papers, which will improve your writing skills and practice learning.

https://school.careers360.com/articles/cbse-sahodaya-class-10-pre-board- question-paper-2025-26

Thank you.

Hello,

You can download subject wise CBSE Sahodaya Class 10 Pre-Board Question Paper 2025-26 for Round 1 & Round 2 from this link : CBSE Sahodaya Class 10 Pre-Board Question Paper 2025-26

Hope it helps !

Hello there,

Solving question papers is one of the best method of preparation. It gives you proper idea about the exam pattern and important topics to cover.

Here is the link attached from the official website of Careers360 which will provide you with the CBSE Sahodaya question papers. Hope it helps!

https://school.careers360.com/articles/sahodaya-question-paper-2025

thank you!

The CBSE Class 10 Hindi Question Paper Blueprint (Marking Pattern) for the 2025-2026 Board Exam is divided into four main sections, with a total of 80 marks for the written exam. The structure is slightly different for Hindi Course A and Hindi Course B.You can download the official Sample Question Paper (SQP) and its Marking Scheme for both Hindi Course A and Course B here: https://school.careers360.com/boards/cbse/cbse-class-10-hindi-sample-papers-2025-26

The CBSE Sahodaya Question Papers for Class 10 (2025-26) are not released centrally by the board as a single PDF.

Here is the essential information you need:

  1. Local Release: The papers are designed and released by the individual Sahodaya School Clusters (groups of CBSE schools) just before or during the pre-board exam dates (typically held in December and January). Therefore, you must check your local cluster's portal or directly with your school administration.

  2. Best Practice: The official model papers, based on the full 2026 syllabus, are the most reliable tool for practice. These accurately reflect the structure, format, and competency-based questions used in the Sahodaya exams.

You can download the latest CBSE Class 10 Model Papers to simulate the Sahodaya tests here: https://school.careers360.com/articles/sahodaya-question-paper-2025 . Focus on that pattern