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The Central Board of Secondary Education has announced the Class 12 board exam results for 2026. This year, the overall pass percentage is 85.20%, the lowest in the last seven years.
After the results, many Science students are feeling stressed and confused. A large number of students scored very well in the Joint Entrance Examination Main and also qualified for the Joint Entrance Examination Advanced. However, some of them could not score 75% marks in their CBSE board exams, which is required for admission to top engineering colleges.
High JEE Main Scores but Low Board Marks Create Problems
Many students scored between 90 and 99 percentile in JEE Main this year. Even after performing well in one of India’s toughest entrance exams, they may not get admission into top institutes because they failed to meet the 75% board marks requirement.
For admission into institutes like the Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, and Indian Institutes of Information Technology, students must:
- Qualify the JEE exams
- Score at least 75% in Class 12 board exams
This rule has now become a major concern for many students and parents.
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CBSE’s New Evaluation System Under Question
This year, CBSE used a new checking method called On-Screen Marking (OSM).
Under this system:
- Answer sheets are scanned digitally
- Teachers check answers on computer screens
- Marks are given according to a fixed digital marking scheme
Students and teachers believe this process is stricter than the traditional evaluation system. In some cases, students did not get full marks even when their answers were correct because the format or writing style was different from the official answer pattern.
Experts say Science stream students were affected the most by this method.
Students Feel Pressure Before JEE Advanced Exam
The JEE Advanced 2026 exam will be held on May 17. Before the examination, many students are worried about whether they will remain eligible for admission despite qualifying for the exam.
Several students also expressed their disappointment on social media. They believe that strong JEE Main performance should matter more than board percentages in engineering admissions.
Also Read: NEET UG Re-Exam 2026 Date Announced: NTA to Hold Exam on June 21
CBSE Revaluation Process Begins From May 18
Students who are not satisfied with their marks can apply for revaluation starting May 18.
CBSE will offer the following facilities:
Marks Verification
- Students can check whether their marks were calculated correctly.
Access to Answer Sheets
- Students can get copies of their evaluated answer sheets.
Rechecking of Answers
Students can request re-evaluation if they feel marks were deducted unfairly.
Many students are hoping that even a small increase in marks will help them cross the important 75% eligibility mark.
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What Students Can Do After the Results
Education experts have advised students not to panic if they missed the 75% criteria by a few marks.
Students can:
- Apply for revaluation
- Prepare for improvement exams
- Explore colleges with different admission rules
- Follow official updates from CBSE and counselling authorities
Experts also suggest that students should stay confident and continue focusing on their future goals.
Debate Grows Over Board Marks Eligibility Rule
The issue has once again started a debate over the importance of board marks in engineering admissions.
Many students, parents, and teachers believe that candidates who perform well in competitive exams like JEE Main should not lose opportunities because of slightly lower board percentages.
For now, thousands of students are waiting for the revaluation process and hoping for a positive outcome that could help them secure admission into top engineering institutes.
Also Read: CBSE 12th Result 2026 Declared: Check Direct Link, Pass Percentage & More
