CBSE Class XII results: Tough question papers brings down pass percentage by 3% in Tamil Nadu; School heads say the on-screen marking system could have resulted in more stringent evaluation

Chennai: The performance of CBSE Class XII students in the state dipped by at least 3 percentage points in this year's results compared to previous year. Teachers and school heads say that while several students have scored more than 475 of 500 (95%), the average has dipped because of lower marks in tough papers.Tamil Nadu recorded a pass percentage of 95.25 and secured the fourth rank, falling behind Lakshadweep, Goa and Kerala and seeing a dip in scores from 98.48% in 2025. Chennai region, which comprises parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, logged 93.84% — a dip from 97.39% secured last year.In Tamil Nadu, 83,962 of 88,146 students, and in the Chennai region, 95,979 students of 1,02,284 students passed the exam. Girls outshone boys in both these categories with a pass percentage of more than 95.The low scores have left even toppers mulling the option of re-evaluation in select subjects."I feel slightly disappointed that I could not score more than 490. I got only 93% in physics and I expected to score a centum in chemistry. I will apply for a scanned copy of my answer sheets and go for reevaluation," said K B Pratibha, a student of Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram in Kilpauk, who scored 479 of 500."I am not happy with my score. I plan to apply for re-evaluation in three subjects — chemistry, biology and mathematics," said S Arutperunjothi, a student of PSBB Millennium school, who also expected to get 490 marks. He scored 484 of 500.Teachers said subjects such as physics in science and accountancy in commerce were particularly difficult."In physics especially, there were more competency-based and higher-order thinking skill-based questions. The sets were challenging and 30% to 40% of the question papers needed high numerical ability. There was also more weightage given to case-study based questions. Naturally, students found it to be challenging," said R S Shanti, senior principal, Zion and Alwin Group of Schools, who teaches physics.A section of school heads said that the on-screen marking system (OSM) adopted this year could have resulted in a more stringent evaluation. "This time, the evaluation was digital. While correcting manually, when a paper is difficult, teachers evaluate it slightly leniently. This was not possible with the OSM. We need to wait and watch the impact of OSMs," said a principal from a city school."There is a dip in average and centums in some subjects, but overall the results are good. Students who have worked hard consistently have scored well," said P G Subramanian, principal, Bhavan's Rajaji Vidyashram.