To clear the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026, you must score a minimum of 33 marks out of 100 in the failed subject — that is 33% — and both the theory and practical or internal assessment components must individually meet the 33% threshold.
The CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 is scheduled for July 15, 2026. It gives students who failed in up to two subjects in the main board examination a second opportunity to pass and complete Class 12. Knowing the exact passing marks for each component helps you plan targeted revision rather than aiming blindly.
- The overall minimum passing mark is 33 out of 100 per subject (33%).
- For an 80-mark theory paper: minimum 27 out of 80 in theory.
- For a 70-mark theory paper (Physics, Chemistry, Biology): minimum 24 out of 70 in theory.
- For 30-mark practicals: minimum 10 out of 30; for 20-mark internal assessment: minimum 7 out of 20.
- Practical and internal assessment marks from the main board exam are carried forward — you appear only for the theory paper in compartment.
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 Minimum Passing Marks
CBSE mandates a minimum of 33% marks in each subject for a student to be declared passed. For a 100-mark subject, this means you need at least 33 marks. This applies in both the main board exam and the compartment exam. The threshold must be met in each component — theory and practical — individually, and in the combined total. The table below summarises the passing requirement by component:
| Component | Total Marks | Minimum Passing Marks (33%) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall (per subject) | 100 | 33 |
| Theory paper — 80-mark subjects | 80 | 27 |
| Theory paper — 70-mark subjects | 70 | 24 |
| Practical — 30-mark subjects | 30 | 10 |
| Internal Assessment — 20-mark subjects | 20 | 7 |
Subject-wise Minimum Marks: Theory and Practical Split
The theory-to-practical ratio varies by subject. Science subjects — Physics, Chemistry, and Biology — carry a higher practical weightage than commerce and humanities subjects. Geography also follows the 70+30 pattern. The table below shows each subject’s paper pattern and the minimum marks required in each component for the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026:
| Subject | Theory Marks | Practical / Internal Assessment | Min Marks in Theory | Min Marks in Practical / Internal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 24 | 10 |
| Chemistry | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 24 | 10 |
| Biology | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 24 | 10 |
| Geography | 70 | 30 (Practical) | 24 | 10 |
| Mathematics | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| Accountancy | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| Business Studies | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| Economics | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| English Core | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| History | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
| Political Science | 80 | 20 (Internal) | 27 | 7 |
Important: Practical and internal assessment marks are carried forward from the main board exam. In the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026, you sit only the theory paper of the failed subject — you do not re-appear for practicals unless CBSE specifically requires it.
How CBSE Calculates Compartment Exam Marks
CBSE follows a straightforward method to arrive at your final subject score after the compartment exam. Understanding this calculation lets you set a realistic theory target based on the practical marks you have already secured:
- Your compartment theory score replaces the original theory score in the failed subject.
- The practical or internal assessment marks remain unchanged from the main board exam and are carried forward automatically.
- Final subject score = Compartment theory marks + Carried-forward practical or internal marks.
- If this total is 33 or above out of 100, you are declared passed in that subject.
- CBSE issues a revised marksheet reflecting the updated score after compartment results are announced.
Example: You scored 8 out of 30 in Biology practical (carried forward) and 14 out of 70 in the theory paper (fail — combined 22/100). In the compartment exam you score 32 out of 70 in theory. Your new total = 32 + 8 = 40 out of 100 — Pass. Your overall aggregate across all five subjects is then recalculated using this revised score.
Grace Marks Policy in CBSE Compartment Exam 2026
CBSE has a grace marks provision that extends to compartment examinations. Here is how it works:
- CBSE may award up to 5 grace marks in a subject where a student falls marginally short of the passing threshold.
- Grace marks are applied at CBSE’s discretion and are not guaranteed for every student who falls short.
- The decision is based on the student’s overall academic profile and CBSE’s internal assessment criteria.
- If grace marks are applied, the revised marks appear on the final marksheet issued by CBSE.
- Always aim to score 33 or more independently — do not build your preparation plan around receiving grace marks.
After Clearing CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026
Clearing the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 completes your Class 12 qualification and updates your academic record in the following ways:
- Your pass status is updated on the CBSE official portal and on DigiLocker within a few days of the result declaration.
- A revised marksheet is issued with your compartment pass result — this document is accepted on par with the regular Class 12 pass marksheet.
- Your revised aggregate percentage across all five subjects is recalculated using the compartment marks and reflected on the updated marksheet.
- The compartment pass result is fully valid for college admissions, government job applications, and competitive exam eligibility.
- Students who do not clear the compartment exam can appear in the next year’s CBSE Class 12 board examination as a private candidate to attempt the failed subject again.
CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 FAQs
Ques. What is the minimum passing mark in CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026?
Ans. The minimum passing mark in CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026 is 33 out of 100 marks (33%) in each subject. Both the theory component and the practical or internal assessment component must individually meet the 33% threshold.
Ques. Do I have to re-appear for practicals in the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026?
Ans. No, in most cases practical and internal assessment marks from the main board exam are carried forward to the compartment exam. You appear only for the theory paper of the failed subject unless CBSE specifically instructs otherwise.
Ques. How many marks do I need in a 70-mark theory paper to pass?
Ans. For a 70-mark theory paper — such as Physics, Chemistry, or Biology — you need a minimum of 24 marks (33% of 70, rounded up). Your combined score of theory plus carried-forward practical marks must also total at least 33 out of 100 for the subject pass.
Ques. How does CBSE calculate the final score after the compartment exam?
Ans. CBSE replaces your original theory score with your compartment theory score. Your practical or internal assessment marks from the main boards are added unchanged. If the combined total is 33 or more out of 100, you are declared passed and a revised marksheet is issued.
Ques. What happens if I fail the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026?
Ans. If you do not pass the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026, you can appear in the following year’s regular CBSE Class 12 board examination as a private candidate to attempt the failed subject again.
Ques. Will my percentage change after the CBSE Class 12 Compartment Exam 2026?
Ans. Yes. The marks you score in the compartment exam replace your earlier theory marks in the failed subject. CBSE recalculates your aggregate percentage across all five subjects and reflects the updated score on a revised marksheet.








Comments