Is CBSE Class 12 Total Marks 500 or 600?

When it comes to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), a question that is most commonly asked by students and parents is: Is CBSE Class 12 total marks 500 or 600? This is confusing because the streams of Science, Commerce and Arts have varying combinations of subjects and marking schemes. In this blog, we shall give a detailed explanation of the calculation of marks in Class 12, the total marks that are there and the reason why the marks vary.

Understanding the CBSE Class 12 Marking Scheme

The Class 12 students of CBSE normally write 5 core subjects, and optional or other subjects. Every subject is normally marked out of 100 marks, including theory and practical/internal assessment (depending on the subject).

In case of theory-based subjects like History, Political Science, Economics or Accountancy, theory examination is of 80 marks and internal assessment is of 20 marks.

In the case of Science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, theory papers are normally 70 marks and practical papers 30 marks.

English Core and Mathematics are marked out of 100 marks (with or without internal assessment, depending on the subject).

When students come to sit in 5 subjects of 100 marks each = 500 marks. The total marks can go as high as 600 through some combinations and other subjects. It is this variation that causes confusion.

Is the CBSE Class 12 Total Marks 500 or 600?

The straightforward answer is:

• In the case of the majority of students, CBSE Class 12 total marks are 500 (5 subjects x 100 marks).

• The marks may reach 600 in some cases, e.g. where students are doing an extra sixth subject.

The variation is due to the fact that CBSE requires 5 mandatory subjects, however students take an extra subject to boost their portfolio or have a backup option in case they want to pursue higher education.

Read More: How to Get 80+ Percentage in Class 12?

CBSE Class 12 Mark Distribution (General Overview)

From this, it is clear that each subject usually carries 100 marks, meaning 5 subjects equal 500 marks.

Why Do Some Students Say CBSE Class 12 Total Marks is 600?

Many students opt for six subjects in their curriculum. For example, a Science student may take:

• English

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Mathematics

• Biology

• Computer Science (as an additional subject)

In this case, the total will be 6 × 100 = 600 marks. However, when calculating the overall percentage or merit, CBSE usually considers the best 5 subjects.

Comparison Between the 500 Marks and the 600 Marks System

Thus, CBSE Class 12 total marks depend on whether a student chooses only the required 5 subjects or adds an optional subject.

Is CBSE Class 12 always out of 500 marks?

Yes, in case of most students, CBSE Class 12 exams are out of 500 marks since only five subjects are compulsory to calculate the final percentage. But when a student does a 6th subject then the scorecard would reflect 600 marks, but the CBSE would only count the top 5 subjects to arrive at the final result.

Do all streams in CBSE Class 12 have the same total marks?

Not exactly. The maximum per subject is 100 but the internal and practical division differs in streams. The science students tend to get more practical exams than the commerce and arts students. Nevertheless, the total sum per subject is 100, so it is 500 or 600, depending on the subjects.

If my total is 600, will colleges calculate my percentage out of 600?

No. Most colleges and universities compute percentages and merit on the basis of best 5 subjects out of the available ones. In case you do not score well in one of your core subjects but do well in your additional subject, then CBSE will substitute the subject you score low to your advantage.

How do internal assessments affect the total marks?

Class 12 marking is composed of a significant amount of internal assessments, projects, and practical exams. Students can also improve their overall percentage with good practical or internal marks even though theory is a difficult subject.

Importance of Understanding the Total Marks System

Understanding whether CBSE Class 12 is out of 500 or 600 is crucial for:

• Exam preparation strategy – Students can plan subjects accordingly.

• College admissions – Since most institutes look at best 5 subjects, scoring consistently in core subjects is key.

• Self-evaluation – Knowing how your marks are calculated helps in setting realistic goals.

Role of Practice with Previous Year Papers and Sample Papers

To excel in Class 12, students need to be well-prepared with class 12 previous year paper book, all in one book class 12, and 12th question bank. Practicing these resources helps students understand the exam pattern, marking scheme, and frequently asked questions. Additionally, attempting CBSE 12 sample paper improves speed, accuracy, and confidence before the final exam.

When students regularly solve previous years’ papers, they can identify the most important topics and manage their time effectively in the exam.

Study Approach with Marks Weightage

Is the Class 12 Result Percentage Calculated out of 500 or 600?

CBSE calculates Class 12 percentage out of best 5 subjects. So even if you have 6 subjects, your result is standardized to 500 marks. For example, if you score 480/600, but your best 5 subject total is 420/500, your percentage will be calculated as 84% and not 80%.

Can a Sixth Subject Improve My Class 12 Result?

Yes, absolutely. If a student performs poorly in one subject, CBSE considers the additional subject in place of the lowest-scoring one. This is why many students opt for an extra subject in Class 12.

CBSE Online Sample Paper and Question Bank for Class 12 Board Exams 2026 

Free CBSE Online Mock Test Sample Papers for Class 12 Board Exams 2026

Is English Mandatory in CBSE Class 12?

Yes, English Core is a compulsory subject in all three streams of CBSE Class 12. It is always counted among the 5 mandatory subjects.

Conclusion

So, the answer to the much-asked question “Is CBSE Class 12 total marks 500 or 600?” is that the majority of students have a total of 500 marks, as CBSE considers only 5 subjects for final percentage calculation. However, students who take an additional subject may have a total of 600 marks on their mark sheet, but their overall percentage is still calculated from the best 5 subjects.

To excel in these exams, consistent practice using class 12 previous year paper book, all in one book class 12, 12th question bank, and CBSE 12 sample paper is extremely useful. With a clear understanding of the marks distribution and consistent practice, students can aim for top scores and smooth college admissions.