ICSE Grading System, ISC Pass Marks and Improvement Exam (2026)
In short: CISCE grades each subject from 1 (best) to 9. The pass mark is 33% per subject in ICSE and 35% in ISC. The old compartment exam has been replaced by an improvement exam, and in 2026 students could take it in up to three subjects.
Hinglish me: Grade 1 sabse achha, 8 aur 9 fail. ICSE me har subject me 33% aur ISC me 35% chahiye. Compartment ki jagah ab improvement exam hota hai.
The 1 to 9 grade scale
Each subject on a CISCE result gets a grade from 1 to 9, where 1 is the highest. The grades are grouped like this:
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1, 2 | Very good |
| 3, 4, 5 | Pass with credit |
| 6, 7 | Pass |
| 8, 9 | Fail |
CISCE does not publish a fixed marks range for each grade, so tables that say "Grade 1 = 90 to 100" are approximations. Your statement of marks shows the actual marks in each subject. Use those marks, not the grade, for any percentage. Our ICSE calculator and ISC calculator also show an approximate grade-to-percentage table if you only have grades.
Pass marks
- ICSE (Class 10): 33% in a subject. This was lowered from 35% from the 2018-19 session.
- ISC (Class 12): 35% in a subject, lowered from 40% at the same time.
To qualify in ICSE, a student enters at least six subjects and must pass at least five of them, including English, and also get a pass grade in SUPW and community service. For ISC 2027, it was reported after the ASISC meeting in November 2025 that students will need to pass English plus their best four subjects. Results now say "Qualified" or "Not Qualified" instead of "Pass Certificate Awarded", and a single pass certificate cum statement of marks is issued.
Internal assessment
| Subject group | Board exam | Internal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Group I (compulsory subjects) | 80 | 20 |
| Group II (electives) | 80 | 20 |
| Group III (e.g. Computer Applications, Art, Physical Education) | 50 | 50 |
The subject mark on your marksheet already includes the internal part, so add the subject marks as printed. A Group III subject can lift your best-of-five total because half of it comes from school work through the year.
Improvement exam (replaced compartment)
CISCE scrapped the compartment exam and replaced it with an improvement exam that any student can take to raise their marks. The higher of the two marks in each subject becomes final, so taking it cannot lower your result.
| 2026 improvement exam | Detail |
|---|---|
| Subjects allowed | Up to 3 (it was 2 in 2025) |
| Registration | 8 to 14 May 2026 |
| Exams | 15 to 30 June 2026 |
| ICSE improvement result | 21 July 2026 |
| Rechecking fee (2026) | ₹1,000 per paper |
| Re-evaluation fee (2026) | ₹1,500 per paper |
If you are close to a cut-off, say a stream cut-off in Class 11 or a 75% line, work out your best-of-five with and without a better mark in one subject before deciding which subject to improve. Raising a subject that is already outside your best five changes nothing.
2026 results at a glance
| ICSE (Class 10) | ISC (Class 12) | |
|---|---|---|
| Result date | 30 April 2026 | 30 April 2026 |
| Pass percentage | 99.18% | 99.13% |
| Students appeared | 2,58,721 | 1,03,316 |
With pass rates this high, your percentage and subject marks matter far more than passing itself for admissions and scholarships.
What is changing for 2027
Reports about the 2027 exams mention new subjects such as AI and Robotics in ICSE and Applied Mathematics in ISC, and more competency-based questions. Unlike CBSE, CISCE has not announced two board exams a year for Class 10. Check the CISCE website for the 2027 regulations and date sheet.
Got your marks? Find your best-of-five percentage in seconds. English is counted automatically.
ICSE Percentage CalculatorSources and where to verify
This guide is for general information and planning only, based on rules as reported up to 9 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the official source, your employer or institution, or a qualified adviser before you act on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass mark in ICSE?
ICSE needs 33% in a subject, and you must pass at least five subjects including English. ISC needs 35% in a subject.
Which is the best grade in ICSE?
Grade 1 is the highest and grade 9 the lowest. Grades 1 and 2 are very good, 3 to 5 pass with credit, 6 and 7 pass, and 8 and 9 are fail grades.
Is there a compartment exam in ICSE now?
No. CISCE replaced it with an improvement exam. In 2026 students could take it in up to three subjects, and the higher of the two marks counts.
What was the ICSE 2026 pass percentage?
The ICSE 2026 pass percentage was 99.18% and the ISC pass percentage was 99.13%. Results were declared on 30 April 2026.