CBSE’s Grading System Acclaimed

CBSE’s Grading System Acclaimed

CBSE’s grading system has brought about a psychological and behavioral change among parents. More and more parents are trying to shift their children from other boards to CBSE board owing to the newly introduced grading system. Unlike other years, when CBSE school campuses used to be flooded with worried parents, this year the parents appeared to be relaxed when the results were declared towards the end of May.

According to the principal of a reputed Army school, parents are increasingly showing interest in the CBSE curriculum and Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system.

Central Board of Secondary Education has made Class X examination optional this year. Students could choose between the board examination and CCE that was conducted by the respective schools.

Unlike Board examination where a student had to qualify in the test, CCE evaluates a student on the basis of the performance throughout the academic year. The student will not be awarded any marks but will receive grades.

In 2011 around 11 lakh students appeared for the Class X examination. Out of this 67% opted for CCE. Students who receive Grade D (equivalent to less than 33%) were given a chance to improve their performance. So, the number of students failing in Class X examination under the CBSE Board has decreased greatly.

One of the main factors that have attracted students and parents to the new grading system is that it reduces stress levels to a significant extent. Nevertheless, it is quite challenging as the student has to perform consistently throughout the year. It also allows for all sided development of human personality of the student.

Students as well as parents have greatly appreciated the new system as students claim that learning has become even more interesting and a student can be free from the stereotype methods of gaining knowledge.

Marks and Grades

Grades	Range of Marks
A1	91 to 100
A2	81 to 90
B1	71 to 80
B2	61 to 70
C1	51 to 60
C2	41 to 50
D	33 to 40
E1	21 to 32
E2	00 to 20

The other side of the coin – what has it to say?

Few teachers think that the new grading system will make it difficult to select students. This is because according to the grading system, an increasing number of students will be eligible for admission into Class XI. The criteria worked out by the Board appear to be complex. For instance, more and more students want to opt for the Science stream despite the fact that the intake capacity is less. Under such circumstances, it is becoming difficult to assess the situation. According to the new grading system, all students are found to be eligible to apply for Science.

If the intake capacity of the Science stream is stretched, the total number of students that can be accommodated in a class cannot be exceeded as there is a limit. This has necessitated the introduction of an aptitude test for admission into Class XI. The school authorities have worked out a couple of parameters on the basis of which the students are being selected for admission into Class XI.

Salient features of the new grading system

• Students will be awarded grades from A1 through E2
• The practice of marking a student failed or compartmental has been discontinued
• Result will be declared in 2 categories – EIOP or Eligible for Improvement of Performance and QUAL or Eligible for Qualifying Certificate
• If a student is unable to clear all the 5 subjects will get an opportunity to improve as he will be given 5 chances