Remarks for students’ report cards: 150+ examples

How do you write a good report card remark?

A good report card remark is two or three sentences that tell a parent what their child does well, how the teacher knows, and what to work on next. That is the whole formula.

What they do well

One real strength, in plain words. Not “good”, but what is good.

How you know

A sign you saw: a test, a piece of work, something they do in class.

What to try next

One step the child can take, ideally one the family can help with at home.

Here is the difference it makes:

Before you write any remark, ask one question:

Would I say this to the parent, face to face? The test for every remark

If the answer is no, rewrite it. If it would mean nothing to the parent, rewrite that too.

Remarks by how the student is doing

The marks set the tone of a remark, but they shouldn’t be all it talks about. Use this table to match a remark to a student’s result. The grades are the eight-point scale many CBSE schools use for classes 6 to 9; if your school uses its own bands, go by the percentage.

Excellent students (81% and above)

• Understands new topics quickly and explains them clearly to classmates. Ready for harder problems that stretch their thinking.
• Scores well and, more importantly, knows why an answer is right. Keep reading beyond the textbook.
• Works with care and checks every answer before handing it in. A strong, steady term.
• Asks thoughtful questions that move the whole class forward. Should now write longer answers in their own words.
• Has an excellent grasp of every subject. The next step is to take a bigger part in group work.
• Shows real curiosity and does extra work without being asked. We are proud of this term’s effort.
• Earned top marks through regular revision, not last-minute study. Keep the same habit as topics get harder.
• Writes well-organised answers with neat working. Ready to try olympiad-level questions.

Good students (61–80%)

• Understands most topics well and completes work on time. Weekly revision of weaker chapters will lift the marks further.
• A sincere learner who takes part in class. More practice with written answers will help in exams.
• Has made good progress this term. Reading each question twice will cut down small mistakes.
• Knows the concepts but loses marks on presentation. Underlining key points and showing working will help.
• Works well in class and is keen to improve. Should ask doubts as soon as they come up.
• Steady, hardworking and reliable. With a little more practice at home, the next grade is within reach.
• Strong in oral work, while written answers need more detail. Practise writing full answers at home.
• Shows good effort and a positive attitude. Can aim higher by revising every week, not just before tests.

Average students (41–60%)

• Understands the basics and is trying hard. Twenty minutes of practice a day will build confidence.
• Does well when work is explained one to one. Should ask questions in class without hesitation.
• Has done better in class tests than in the term exam. A simple weekly revision plan will help.
• Is capable of better marks. Finishing homework every day is the first step.
• Follows lessons in class but forgets them later. Revising the day’s work at home the same evening will help it stay.
• Takes part willingly and behaves well. Needs more care with spelling and neatness.
• Works at a steady pace but sometimes leaves answers unfinished. Practising timed papers will help.
• Shows more interest when topics are practical. Linking lessons to daily life at home will keep that interest going.

Students who need support (below 40%)

• Is finding some topics difficult this term. We will work on the basics together; please read with them for a few minutes every day.
• Tries hard and does not give up. Extra practice in maths, at home and in school, will help close the gap.
• Needs help with reading questions and writing answers. Short daily practice will build confidence.
• Has the ability but has missed a lot of class work. Regular attendance and finished homework will make a clear difference.
• Gets nervous in tests and knows more than the marks show. Practice papers at home will help.
• Needs stronger basics in number work. We have shared practice sheets; please check them daily.
• Is improving slowly and needs steady encouragement. Please meet the class teacher so we can plan next term together.
• Finds it hard to stay focused for long. Short tasks with breaks are helping, and we will continue this next term.

Students who have improved

• A big improvement since last term, thanks to steady effort. Keep it going.
• Marks have gone up in every test this term. The hard work shows.
• Now finishes homework on time, and it shows in the results.
• Is more confident in class and has started answering questions. A real step forward.
• Handwriting and presentation have improved a lot this term.
• Has turned a difficult subject into a strong one through regular practice.

Remarks for each subject

A subject remark should name a skill in that subject, not just the result. Pick the line closest to the child, then change one detail so it fits.

English

• Reads aloud fluently and with expression. Should use new words from reading in written work.
• Writes stories full of good ideas. Needs to work on punctuation and paragraphs.
• Knows the grammar rules but slips in writing. Reading every answer once before submitting will help.
• Speaks confidently in class discussions. Reading one storybook a week will widen their vocabulary.
• Comprehension answers are accurate and to the point. Should now try longer, more detailed answers.
• Spelling has improved this term. A small notebook of new words will keep it improving.

Hindi

• Reads Hindi clearly, with correct pronunciation. Should practise writing matras correctly.
• Writes good essays in simple, clear sentences. More reading will bring in new words.
• Understands grammar well. Needs regular practice with letter and application writing.
• Speaks Hindi confidently. Devanagari handwriting needs more care.
• Learns poems quickly and recites them with feeling.

Maths

• Solves problems quickly and accurately. Should show every step of the working.
• Understands concepts well but makes calculation mistakes. Rechecking each answer will help.
• Needs more practice with tables and mental maths. Ten minutes a day will make a difference.
• Finds word problems difficult. Reading the question twice and underlining what is asked will help.
• Enjoys geometry and draws neat figures. Needs more practice in algebra.
• Applies maths to real-life problems well. Ready for more challenging questions.
• Knows the methods but loses marks on presentation. Neat working and correct units will lift the marks.

Science

• Curious about how things work and asks good questions. Should use the proper terms in written answers.
• Draws neat, well-labelled diagrams. Needs to learn definitions more thoroughly.
• Understands experiments and explains the results clearly.
• Knows the facts but finds it hard to apply them. Practising “why” and “how” questions will help.
• Takes part eagerly in practical work and follows the safety rules.
• Marks dip when revision is left to the end. Revising each chapter as it finishes will help.

Social science

• Remembers dates and events well and links them to each other.
• Reads maps accurately. Should practise writing answers in points.
• Follows the news and brings it into class discussions.
• Answers are correct but too short. Explaining with an example will earn full marks.
• Needs to revise regularly. Flashcards for dates and key terms will help.

EVS

• Observes the world closely and shares what they notice.
• Knows plants, animals and their needs well, and enjoyed the project work.
• Takes part in activities eagerly. Needs to finish worksheets with more care.
• Understands why we save water and keep our surroundings clean, and practises it.

Computers

• Types neatly and uses the computer with care. Ready for simple coding tasks.
• Learns new software quickly and helps classmates in the lab.
• Understands the theory but needs more hands-on practice.

Art, music and PE

• Uses colour with confidence and finishes work neatly.
• Has a good sense of rhythm and sings confidently in assembly.
• Plays fairly, follows the rules and encourages teammates.
• Has a real talent for drawing; keeping a sketchbook will help it grow.
• Is building stamina and joins every activity with energy.

Remarks for behaviour, homework and attendance

Behaviour remarks need the most care, because parents read them most closely. Describe what the child does, never what the child is. “Is learning to wait for a turn to speak” helps; “talkative” only labels.

Conduct and attitude

• Polite, respectful and kind to classmates. A pleasure to teach.
• Follows class rules and sets a good example for others.
• Is learning to wait for a turn to speak, and has improved a lot this term.
• Gets distracted easily at times. Sitting near the front is helping.
• Shows leadership as class monitor and handles duties responsibly.
• Is learning to stay calm when things don’t go their way. We are working on this together.

Class participation

• Takes part in every class discussion with good ideas.
• Is quiet in class but writes thoughtful answers. Please encourage them to share ideas aloud.
• Works well in groups and listens to others.
• Volunteers for events and activities with enthusiasm.
• Is growing in confidence and should take a bigger part in class activities.

Homework and notebooks

• Completes homework on time and with care.
• Keeps neat, complete and well-organised notebooks.
• Often leaves homework unfinished. Please check the school diary every evening.
• Notebook work is complete but untidy. Margins and a ruler will help.
• Does not always do corrections. Doing them the same day helps the lesson stick.
• Brings the right books and materials every day.

Handwriting

• Handwriting is neat and easy to read.
• Handwriting has improved this term. Keep practising cursive.
• Writes too fast, and the letters become unclear. Slowing down will help.
• Needs to form letters correctly and leave space between words.

Attendance and punctuality

• Regular and punctual all term.
• Has missed several days this term, and it shows in the marks. Regular attendance will help.
• Often arrives late and misses the start of the first lesson. Please help them reach school on time.
• Catches up quickly after an absence.
• Attendance has improved this term. Well done.

Remarks for nursery, primary and board classes

What a remark should cover changes with age. For young children it is about settling in and early skills; for board classes it is about exam readiness.

Nursery, LKG and UKG

• Has settled happily into class and made friends.
• Recognises letters and their sounds, and enjoys story time.
• Counts objects up to 20 and recognises the numbers.
• Holds the pencil correctly and is learning to colour within the lines.
• Shares toys and takes turns with others.
• Is learning to say what they need in words. Talking together at home will help.
• Enjoys rhymes, music and movement.
• Is becoming independent: eats, packs the bag and puts on shoes without help.

Classes 1 and 2

Many schools grade these classes with words such as Proficient, Progressing and Beginner instead of marks, so the remark carries more weight.

• Reads simple sentences and is starting to read short stories alone.
• Adds and subtracts small numbers, with objects and on paper.
• Writes short sentences with capital letters and full stops.
• Listens well and follows two-step instructions.
• Is curious and asks many questions. Keep encouraging this at home.

Classes 10 and 12

• Prepared well for the pre-boards. Keep solving past papers until the exams.
• Has a strong grasp of most chapters. Managing time in the paper needs practice.
• Is capable of a better result. A fixed revision plan for each subject will help.
• Mature, focused and dependable. A good example for juniors.
• Has worked hard on weaker subjects. Should keep the same pace through the board exams.
• Writes good answers but runs out of time. Practise full papers under exam conditions.

One-word and short remarks

Some cards leave room for only a word or a line. Use these, but give the longer remark wherever there is space: a single word can’t tell a parent what to do next.

Short remarks for one line:

• Excellent work this term.
• A steady, sincere learner.
• Keep up the good effort.
• Shows good progress.
• Can do better with regular revision.
• Needs to finish homework on time.
• Should read more at home.
• A neat and careful worker.
• Improving steadily. Well done.
• Needs to focus more in class.
• Works well in a team.
• Polite and well-behaved.
• Should ask doubts without hesitation.
• Good effort; needs more practice.
• Has made us proud this term.

Words to keep off a report card

A report card stays in the family file for years. Some words do harm there and help no one. Swap them for what the child actually does.

Writing remarks in Scoolin

When we built the remarks screen in Scoolin, we designed it around the formula above.

• The class teacher writes remarks for the whole section on one screen.
• Each child’s term percentage and grade sit beside the remark box, so the remark matches the marks.
• A remark holds up to 300 characters, about three short sentences: room for a strength, an example and a next step, and no more than fits on the printed card.
• For a conduct or discipline grade, Scoolin suggests one from the term’s behaviour log, with the reason. The teacher still picks.
• Remarks lock when results are published, so a reprinted card matches the one that went home.

The remark then prints on the report card with the marks your teachers entered in marks entry, so nobody copies anything twice.

Common questions