Marks and GradesBest of five: what it is and who decides
"Best of five" is the percentage worked out from a student's five highest-scoring subjects. It is widely used, but it is not something the boards print on a certificate.
CBSE: no aggregate is awarded
The CBSE Examination Bye-laws state, in the pass criteria for both class 10 and class 12: "No overall division/distinction/aggregate shall be awarded." They also say that marks or grades are awarded for individual subjects and that aggregate marks shall not be given. We read this on 12 November 2026. A CBSE mark sheet therefore shows marks subject by subject and nothing more. Any percentage, best of five or otherwise, is calculated by the student or by the college or employer that needs it.
CISCE: five subjects, including English
The ICSE and ISC regulations set the pass standard as at least five subjects, which must include English. That is a rule about passing. The regulations we read do not prescribe a formula for an aggregate percentage either.
So who decides?
The body that asks for the percentage. Read its prospectus or advertisement. Common patterns are:
- All main subjects. Every subject except an additional one.
- Best five. The five highest, whatever they are.
- English plus best four. English is compulsory; the four best of the rest are added.
- Named subjects. For example physics, chemistry and mathematics for engineering admissions.
- Best four or best three, used by some universities for particular courses.
These give different answers from the same mark sheet. Two students cannot be compared unless the same rule is applied to both.
Worked example
| Subject | Marks out of 100 |
|---|---|
| English | 74 |
| Mathematics | 95 |
| Physics | 88 |
| Chemistry | 81 |
| Computer science | 92 |
| Physical education (additional) | 97 |
- Five main subjects: 74 + 95 + 88 + 81 + 92 = 430 out of 500 = 86.0%.
- Best five of all six: 97 + 95 + 92 + 88 + 81 = 453 out of 500 = 90.6%.
- English plus best four of the rest: 74 + 97 + 95 + 92 + 88 = 446 out of 500 = 89.2%.
- Physics, chemistry and mathematics: 264 out of 300 = 88.0%.
Four honest answers, from 86.0% to 90.6%. Which one you may write depends entirely on the rule of the form in front of you.
Things to check in the rule
- May an additional or optional subject replace a main subject?
- Must a language be included?
- Are vocational, skill or internally assessed subjects allowed?
- If maximum marks differ, are marks added or percentages averaged? Adding marks is the normal method.
Be ready to show the working
When you write a percentage that is not printed on your mark sheet, keep the calculation. At document verification you may be asked how you reached it. Our percentage calculator has a "best of" setting and shows which subjects were counted, and the working can be copied.
Check with your board or university. The rules quoted on this site were read in the official documents on 12 November 2026. Boards and universities revise them, and yours may differ. For anything that decides an admission or a job, use the rule printed on your own mark sheet or in your institution's regulations. This is an independent site.