In a significant reform aimed at enhancing the student evaluation process, the Telangana State Board of Secondary Education (TSBSE) has announced that from the 2025 academic year, students appearing for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams will receive both marks and grades. This dual-assessment system is set to replace the existing model, which awards only marks, offering a more comprehensive evaluation of a student’s academic performance and development.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The decision to incorporate both marks and grades into the SSC result has been welcomed by many in the education sector, as it marks a shift towards a more balanced approach to student assessment. Historically, marks have been the primary metric for evaluating student performance in Telangana, often leading to a narrow focus on rote learning and exam-specific skills. With the new system, students will be assessed more holistically, taking into account both the depth of their knowledge (marks) and their overall learning trajectory (grades).
A New Era of Evaluation: Combining Marks with Grades
Under the new system, students will continue to receive a numerical score for each subject, reflecting the exact number of correct answers or the degree to which they have mastered the subject. In addition, each student will also receive a grade, which will categorize their performance into one of several levels, such as A+, A, B, or C. Each grade will correspond to a specific range of marks, enabling students and educators to assess both the student’s precise score and their overall academic standing.
For instance, an ‘A+’ grade could be awarded to students who score between 90-100%, while a grade of ‘A’ could correspond to those scoring between 80-89%. This dual system provides a more flexible, less stressful way to evaluate student performance, allowing students to be categorized in broader terms without placing undue emphasis on small score differences.
The Rationale Behind the Change
The primary reason for introducing grades alongside marks is to provide a more rounded and less stressful evaluation of student performance. In the traditional system, the focus on marks can sometimes result in students feeling immense pressure to achieve perfect scores, which can detract from genuine learning. The new system aims to alleviate this stress by offering a wider perspective on performance, where a student’s grade reflects not just raw scores, but also their overall academic growth and understanding.
Moreover, the grading system allows for easier comparison of student performance across different subjects. Students may excel in one subject while struggling in another, and the grade system helps to communicate their overall academic level without penalizing them for minor discrepancies in marks.
How Students Will Benefit from the New Model
The dual-assessment system promises several advantages for students:
- Stress Reduction: The addition of grades provides students with a broader evaluation of their performance, reducing the intense pressure often associated with achieving perfect marks.
- Clearer Feedback: Grades provide an easier way for students to understand their performance relative to their peers. They can see where they stand in terms of overall achievement, rather than focusing on individual subject scores.
- Holistic Development: The dual-system encourages a focus on learning and skill development. Students will be motivated to understand concepts deeply, rather than just memorize facts, which is often the case with marks-based assessments.
- Better Preparation for Higher Education: With grades included in the evaluation, students may find it easier to transition to higher education. Universities and colleges often consider not only marks but also the overall academic trajectory of students when making admissions decisions.
Teachers’ Role in the Dual System
For teachers, the introduction of both marks and grades offers an opportunity to better understand student performance. Teachers can now assess students’ progress not just based on raw marks but also in terms of their overall academic growth. This will allow educators to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses more effectively, providing an opportunity for more personalized and targeted interventions.
Moreover, teachers will be able to use grades to encourage students to focus on continuous improvement. The grading system reduces the pressure on students to aim for perfection, and instead emphasizes the importance of consistent learning and development throughout the academic year.
Conclusion: A Positive Step Forward
The Telangana State Board’s decision to introduce both marks and grades in SSC evaluations is a welcome change that promises to benefit students, educators, and the broader educational system. By moving toward a dual-assessment model, Telangana is promoting a more balanced, supportive, and forward-thinking approach to education. This shift will provide students with a clearer understanding of their academic performance, reduce stress, and encourage holistic learning and development. As a result, students will be better prepared for their future academic and professional journeys, while teachers and schools will have more tools to support their growth.
