When a student receives an "essential repeat" in the CBSE Class 12 exams, it indicates that they need to retake the exam since they failed one or more subjects.Candidates who have an "essential repeat" noted on their marksheet are needed to retake the compartment exams. Here the students don't have the option to appear for only the subjects they have failed but instead they need to reappear for the whole exam in the following year.
Candidates who obtained necessary repeats on their report cards will be examined by the CBSE board officials. Additionally, in order to be eligible for the exams, students need to receive at least 33% in the major exams, internal assessments, and practicals.
What is 'Essential Repeat' in CBSE Class 12?
Students who failed in more than two subjects in their Class 12 board exams will be considered for essential repeats. In the following academic year, these students must retake the entire test.
Important Features:
- Eligibility: Students who failed two or more subjects are eligible.
- Post-Examination Requirement: All subjects must be retaken in the board exams the following year.
- Mode of Reappearance: Subject to CBSE rules and guidelines, they may register as private students or as regular students through their schools.
- The practical marks will be taken into consideration, and students will only need to show up for the main exams, if a candidate received passing grades in the practicals but failed in the theory.
CBSE Class 12 : Essential Repeat and Compartment
| Criteria | Essential Repeat | Compartment |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects Failed | More than one | Only one |
| Re-examination Timeline | Following academic year | Supplementary exam within the same year |
| Subjects to Reappear | All subjects | Only the subject in which the student failed |
| Mode of Reappearance | Regular or private candidate | Regular or private candidate |
| Impact on Academic Year | Loss of one academic year | No loss of academic year if the compartment exam is cleared |
Essential Repeat in CBSE class 12: 2025 vs 2024 vs 2023 vs 2022
The available data for the CBSE Class 12 board results from 2025 to 2022 is displayed in the following table. It includes the number of students, the pass percentage, compartment cases, and the results of the supplemental exams. While estimations and contextual information given are mere analysis , CBSE regrettably does not provide specific data regarding Essential Repeat. Essential Repeat numbers are not officially published by CBSE in detailed statistical form. They can be inferred indirectly as students failing in more than one subject, hence ineligible for compartment exams.
| Year | Total Students Appeared | Pass Percentage | Compartment Students (%) | Supplementary Exam Registrations | Supplementary Exam Pass Rate | Essential Repeat (Est./Noté) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17,00,000+ (est.) | 88.39 | 7.63 | To be Announced | Data not available | Data not available |
| 2024 | 16,21,224 | 87.98% | Est. 8–9% | 1,31,396 | 29.78% (37,957 passed) | Not disclosed |
| 2023 | 16,60,511 | 87.33% | 7.54% | Data not available | Data not available | Not disclosed |
| 2022 | Not specified | Not specified | 4.7% | Data not available | Data not available | Not disclosed |
Essential Repeat in CBSE Class 12: FAQs
Do essential repeat students give practical exam class 12?
Yes, students have to reappear in both theory and practical exams in Class 12 if they failed in subjects with practicals. If you pass the practicals, CBSE may allow you to use that mark and only attempt the theory exam. This depends on your specific subject and year. It’s best to confirm through your school or CBSE's official notice when your repeat year comes up.
Can you repeat 12th grade CBSE?
Yes, you can repeat Class 12 under CBSE. If the student fails in more than one subject, then he/she is marked as “Essential Repeat" in CBSE class 12 and must give the exams the next year. Even if you passed, but want to improve your marks, you can appear as a private candidate. CBSE allows students to reattempt Class 12 to either pass or improve their performance, depending on the situation.
What is the difference between compartment and essential repeat?
The difference is in how many subjects the student has failed. If the student fails in just one subject, then he/she will be included in the compartment category, meaning they will get another chance that same year to clear it. But if under certain circumstances a student fails in two or more subjects, then he/she is marked as Essential Repeat, which means you have to repeat the entire Class 12 exams next year. Compartment is a second chance in the same year; essential repeat is a full reaxam next year.
What if 1 fail in 3 subjects in class 12 CBSE?
You’ll be placed under the Essential Repeat. That means you won't be considered a pass and will have to reappear for all subjects in the next board exam cycle. You essentially have to repeat Class 12 exams. It’s not the end of the road, though—it gives you a clean chance to work on your weak areas and perform better next year.
30 marks pass or fail?
In CBSE Class 12, 30 marks is considered a pass if the subject is out of 100. For subjects with practicals, you need to pass both theory and practical individually. That means getting 33% in each part.
- 70 marks theory + 30 practical
- And at least 23 in theory and 10 in practical to pass.
Does essential repeat mean pass or fail?
Essential Repeat means fail. It’s CBSE’s way of saying you haven’t met the minimum requirements to pass because you failed in more than one subject. You’re not promoted or awarded a pass certificate. You'll need to retake the exams for all subjects the following year. It’s not permanent—you get a fresh chance to clear the boards and get your pass certificate next time.
What is a pass certificate in CBSE?
A pass certificate is an official document given by CBSE in which whether you’ve successfully passed your Class 10 or Class 12 board exams or not is written. It’s different from a marksheet—it ensures that you met the minimum criteria to be declared "Pass." You’ll only receive it if you clear all subjects. Without it, you can't apply for college admissions or other formal qualifications.
What is the essential repeat in CBSE class 11?
In Class 11, “Essential Repeat” means the students didn’t meet the pass criteria and have to reappear for the exam next year. Unlike Class 12, where there's a board exam, Class 11 is assessed internally by your school. If you fail in key subjects (usually more than one), your school may mark you as “Essential Repeat,” meaning you’ll attend Class 11 again next year instead of being promoted to Class 12.
When a student receives an "essential repeat" in the CBSE Class 12 exams, it indicates that they need to retake the exam since they failed one or more subjects.Candidates who have an "essential repeat" noted on their marksheet are needed to retake the compartment exams. Here the students don't have the option to appear for only the subjects they have failed but instead they need to reappear for the whole exam in the following year.
Candidates who obtained necessary repeats on their report cards will be examined by the CBSE board officials. Additionally, in order to be eligible for the exams, students need to receive at least 33% in the major exams, internal assessments, and practicals.
What is 'Essential Repeat' in CBSE Class 12?
Students who failed in more than two subjects in their Class 12 board exams will be considered for essential repeats. In the following academic year, these students must retake the entire test.
Important Features:
- Eligibility: Students who failed two or more subjects are eligible.
- Post-Examination Requirement: All subjects must be retaken in the board exams the following year.
- Mode of Reappearance: Subject to CBSE rules and guidelines, they may register as private students or as regular students through their schools.
- The practical marks will be taken into consideration, and students will only need to show up for the main exams, if a candidate received passing grades in the practicals but failed in the theory.
CBSE Class 12 : Essential Repeat and Compartment
| Criteria | Essential Repeat | Compartment |
|---|---|---|
| Subjects Failed | More than one | Only one |
| Re-examination Timeline | Following academic year | Supplementary exam within the same year |
| Subjects to Reappear | All subjects | Only the subject in which the student failed |
| Mode of Reappearance | Regular or private candidate | Regular or private candidate |
| Impact on Academic Year | Loss of one academic year | No loss of academic year if the compartment exam is cleared |
Essential Repeat in CBSE class 12: 2025 vs 2024 vs 2023 vs 2022
The available data for the CBSE Class 12 board results from 2025 to 2022 is displayed in the following table. It includes the number of students, the pass percentage, compartment cases, and the results of the supplemental exams. While estimations and contextual information given are mere analysis , CBSE regrettably does not provide specific data regarding Essential Repeat. Essential Repeat numbers are not officially published by CBSE in detailed statistical form. They can be inferred indirectly as students failing in more than one subject, hence ineligible for compartment exams.
| Year | Total Students Appeared | Pass Percentage | Compartment Students (%) | Supplementary Exam Registrations | Supplementary Exam Pass Rate | Essential Repeat (Est./Noté) |
| 2025 | 17,00,000+ (est.) | 88.39 | 7.63 | To be Announced | Data not available | Data not available |
| 2024 | 16,21,224 | 87.98% | Est. 8–9% | 1,31,396 | 29.78% (37,957 passed) | Not disclosed |
| 2023 | 16,60,511 | 87.33% | 7.54% | Data not available | Data not available | Not disclosed |
| 2022 | Not specified | Not specified | 4.7% | Data not available | Data not available | Not disclosed |
Essential Repeat in CBSE Class 12: FAQs
Ques. Do essential repeat students give practical exam class 12?
Ans. Yes, students have to reappear in both theory and practical exams in Class 12 if they failed in subjects with practicals. However, if you passed the practicals earlier, CBSE may allow you to retain those marks and appear only for the theory. This depends on the subject and year — confirm with your school or CBSE notice for exact guidance.
Ques. Can you repeat 12th grade CBSE?
Ans. Yes, CBSE allows students to repeat Class 12. If you fail in more than one subject, you’ll be marked as “Essential Repeat.” You can also reappear as a private candidate to improve your marks even if you’ve already passed.
Ques. What is the difference between compartment and essential repeat?
Ans. Compartment is for one subject failure, allowing you to reappear in the same year. Essential Repeat is for failing in two or more subjects, which means repeating the entire year and giving all exams next year. Compartment = same year chance; Essential Repeat = full retake next year.
Ques. What if I fail in 3 subjects in Class 12 CBSE?
Ans. You will be marked as Essential Repeat. You’ll need to reappear for all subjects in the next CBSE board exam cycle. This gives you a fresh opportunity to prepare and do better next year.
Ques. 30 marks pass or fail?
Ans. 30 marks is a pass in CBSE Class 12 if the subject is out of 100. But for subjects with practicals, you need to pass theory and practical individually — that means getting at least 23 in theory and 10 in practical.
- 70 marks theory + 30 marks practical
- Minimum 23 in theory and 10 in practical to pass
Ques. Does essential repeat mean pass or fail?
Ans. Essential Repeat means fail. It indicates the student has not met the minimum pass criteria in more than one subject. The student must reappear next year for the full set of board exams to be eligible for the pass certificate.
Ques. What is a pass certificate in CBSE?
Ans. A pass certificate is the official proof from CBSE stating that you have passed Class 10 or Class 12. It is different from a marksheet and is only issued when you clear all subjects. You need it for college admissions and official documentation.
Ques. What is the essential repeat in CBSE class 11?
Ans. In Class 11, “Essential Repeat” means you failed in multiple subjects and are not promoted to Class 12. Since Class 11 is assessed by the school, this is an internal decision, and you’ll be required to attend Class 11 again next academic year.
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