Why is passing marks only 33% in any exam, why not more or less than this?

33 Percent Passing Marks Rule: How many marks are required to pass the exam, this question comes in the mind of almost every student at some time or the other. In India, in most of the school level examinations, a student is considered passed if he gets 33 percent marks. This rule has been in force for many years and even today many education boards of the country follow this system. But have you ever wondered why the passing marks were kept at only 33 percent? After all, why was 40 percent, 50 percent or any other figure not chosen? So let us tell you today why the passing marks in any exam is only 33%.

Why is the passing marks in any exam only 33%?

The passing marks in any exam being only 33% is linked to India’s colonial history. Actually, the system of 33 percent passing marks is not of today but has been in existence since the time of British rule. With time, many changes took place in the education system, but the rule of passing marks remained the same to a large extent.

This system was started during British rule

According to history, the British conducted the matriculation exam for the first time in India in the year 1858. At that time India was under British rule and the education system was also under their control. At that time in Britain, it was considered necessary to score at least 65 percent marks to pass any exam. However, the British authorities in India set only 33 percent marks for passing. It is believed that at that time the British authorities believed that the educational level of Indian students was lower than that of British students. Based on this thinking, the level of passing marks was kept low. Later this system continued for a long time and even today its effect can be seen in many boards.

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What percentage of marks are students considered to pass in India today?

Today the passing marks norm in different education boards of India is around 33 to 40 percent. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, students have to score at least 33 percent marks to pass. The rule of 33 percent marks to pass is also applicable in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). On the other hand, to pass the class 10th and 12th exam in Kerala Board, students have to score minimum 30 percent marks. At the same time, very high marks have to be obtained for admission in many major universities and colleges of the country. For example, in many famous colleges of Delhi University, the cutoff for admission reaches 95 percent to 100 percent.

What are the rules in Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Like India, in Pakistan and Bangladesh too, 33 percent marks were considered passing marks for a long time. However, changes have been made there with time. Now the passing marks for matriculation and intermediate exams in Pakistan have been increased to 40 percent. In Bangladesh too, work is being done to upgrade the exam system and changes are being seen there too.

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