The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has adopted a more scientific and equitable approach to grading for class X and XII examinations known as ‘Relative Grading.’ This method is designed to reflect students\’ performance relative to their peers, rather than assigning grades based on predetermined cut-off marks. This blog post aims to explain the nuances of this grading system and its implications for students, parents, and educators.
What is Relative Grading?
Relative grading is a method where students\’ grades are determined based on their performance relative to the performance of others in the same subject. Unlike absolute grading, which uses fixed marks ranges (e.g., 91-100 for an A1 grade), relative grading places students into different grade categories based on the rank order of their scores.
How Does Relative Grading Work?
In the CBSE\’s relative grading system, students are divided into eight equal groups based on their rank order in each subject. Each group is then assigned a grade from A1 to D2, with E being designated for students who need to repeat the subject. Here’s a breakdown of how grades are allocated:
- A1: Top 1/8th of the passed candidates
- A2: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- B1: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- B2: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- C1: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- C2: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- D1: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- D2: Next 1/8th of the passed candidates
- E: Essential Repeat
Key Points to Note
- Rank Order Adjustment: Minor variations are made to adjust ties, ensuring fairness when students achieve identical scores. All students with the same score receive the same grade.
- Grading Threshold: The relative grading method is used only for subjects where more than 500 candidates have passed. For subjects with fewer candidates, grading is adjusted based on patterns in similar subjects.
- Grade Variations Across Subjects: A student obtaining the same marks in two different subjects might not receive the same grade in both. This is because grades are relative to the performance of peers in each specific subject.
Example Illustration
To better understand how this system works, let’s look at an example:
- Hindi: 159,052 candidates passed. Top 1/8th (approximately 19,882) get an A1 grade.
- History: 158,585 candidates passed. Top 1/8th (approximately 19,824) get an A1 grade.
- Economics: 383,647 candidates passed. Top 1/8th (approximately 47,956) get an A1 grade.
- NCC: 304 candidates passed. Top 1/8th (approximately 38) get an A1 grade.
This means in Hindi, the top 19,882 students will get an A1 grade, whereas in NCC, only the top 38 will get an A1 grade.
Implications for Students and Educators
The relative grading system ensures that grades are a true reflection of a student\’s standing among their peers. This system motivates students to perform better while maintaining a level playing field. However, it also means that consistent high performance across different subjects is crucial, as competition may vary significantly.
Conclusion
CBSE’s adoption of the relative grading system marks a significant shift towards a fairer and more balanced assessment method. By placing students in grades based on their relative performance, the board aims to provide a more accurate representation of students\’ abilities and efforts. This system underscores the importance of consistent academic performance and encourages a healthy competitive spirit among students.
For stakeholders, understanding this system is crucial for interpreting results and supporting students in their academic journey. As the educational landscape evolves, such progressive measures are steps towards more robust and inclusive evaluation standards.
Read CBSE Official Circular on Grading System
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