The Kerala Board Grading System is the 9-point grading scale (A+ to E) used by the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) to evaluate students. The same grading system applies to both Kerala Plus One (Class 11) and Plus Two (Class 12) — it is not different for the two years. On this page you can see the complete Kerala grading system, the marks-to-grade conversion, passing criteria, and the latest 2026 exam information for Kerala higher secondary.
Kerala Board Grading System 2026
DHSE uses a nine-point grading system to evaluate students. Each subject carries 100 marks in each year, and the grade of a student is decided on the combined score of the First Year and Second Year (out of 200). The complete Kerala Plus One and Plus Two grade table is as follows.
| Grade | Percentage (per subject) | Combined Score (Year 1 + Year 2, out of 200) | Grade Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 90% – 100% | 180 – 200 | 9 |
| A | 80% – 89% | 160 – 179 | 8 |
| B+ | 70% – 79% | 140 – 159 | 7 |
| B | 60% – 69% | 120 – 139 | 6 |
| C+ | 50% – 59% | 100 – 119 | 5 |
| C | 40% – 49% | 80 – 99 | 4 |
| D+ | 30% – 39% | 60 – 79 | 3 |
| D | 20% – 29% | 40 – 59 | 2 |
| E | Below 20% | Below 40 | 1 |
Is the Grading System Different for Plus One and Plus Two?
No. Kerala Plus One and Plus Two use the same 9-point grading system (A+ to E). There is only one grading scheme, and it is applied to every subject in both the First Year (Plus One) and the Second Year (Plus Two). The final grade and eligibility for higher studies are decided after combining the First Year and Second Year scores of each subject (out of 200). So the grading is not separate for the two years — it is one common system, calculated together at the end of Plus Two.
Kerala Board Passing Marks (Minimum Grade)
Students must secure at least a D+ grade (30% marks) in each subject as well as in aggregate to pass the Kerala higher secondary examination and be eligible for promotion to higher studies. This eligibility is determined after combining the First Year and Second Year grades. For Music, 30% each of the maximum score of PE & TE is necessary for D+ grade or above.
Marks Distribution
Each subject is of 100 marks in each year (200 combined over the two years). The distribution of theory and practical marks is as follows.
- Subjects without practicals: 80 marks theory + 20 marks internal/continuous evaluation (100 marks each year).
- Subjects with practicals: 60 marks theory + 40 marks practical (100 marks each year).
- Music: First Year 60 marks, Second Year 140 marks.
- All subjects: combined total of 200 marks from both years, on which the final grade is awarded.
Kerala Plus One & Plus Two Exam 2026
The DHSE released the Kerala higher secondary exam notification and time table for 2026 on 29 October 2025. The key dates are as follows.
- Kerala Plus One (First Year) Exams 2026: 5 March 2026 to 27 March 2026.
- Kerala Plus Two (Second Year) Exams 2026: 6 March 2026 to 28 March 2026.
- SAY / Improvement Exams 2026: 29 June 2026 to 3 July 2026.
- Official 2026 Exam Notification: Download DHSE Kerala 2026 Notification PDF.
After the exams, students can check their grades on the official DHSE results portal and calculate them using the grade table above. Check the Kerala Plus Two Result and other updates on aglasem.
Kerala Board Grading System – An Overview
| Board | Directorate of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE), Kerala |
| Applies To | Kerala Plus One (Class 11) and Plus Two (Class 12) |
| Grading Scale | 9-point (A+, A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, E) |
| Highest Grade | A+ (90% – 100%, grade point 9) |
| Minimum Pass Grade | D+ (30%) |
| Basis of Final Grade | Combined First Year + Second Year score (out of 200) |
| Official Website | dhsekerala.gov.in |
Kerala Board Grading System – FAQs
Is the grading system different for Kerala Plus One and Plus Two?
No. Kerala Plus One and Plus Two follow the same 9-point grading system (A+ to E) under DHSE. There is only one grading scheme, and the final grade is calculated on the combined First Year and Second Year score of each subject.
What is the A+ grade in the Kerala Board grading system?
A+ is the highest grade in the Kerala grading system. It is awarded for 90% to 100% marks in a subject (a combined score of 180 to 200 out of 200), and it carries a grade point of 9.
What is the minimum passing grade in Kerala higher secondary?
A student must score at least a D+ grade, which is 30% marks, in each subject and in aggregate to pass the Kerala Plus One / Plus Two examination.
How are marks converted to grades in the Kerala Board?
Each subject is graded on a 9-point scale using the percentage of marks scored — for example 90-100% is A+, 80-89% is A, and so on down to below 20% which is E. The First Year and Second Year scores of each subject are combined (out of 200), and the grade is awarded on this combined score.
When are the Kerala Plus One and Plus Two 2026 exams?
As per the DHSE 2026 notification, Kerala Plus One exams are held from 5 March to 27 March 2026 and Plus Two exams from 6 March to 28 March 2026. SAY / Improvement exams are scheduled from 29 June to 3 July 2026.
For complete details, please refer to the official DHSE Kerala 2026 notification on the official website dhsekerala.gov.in.
