The Inter Board Coordination Commission, under the new grading policy, has made an upward change in the pass percentage for both intermediate and matric levels from 33% to 40% across the country.
The commission, official forum representing all education boards across Pakistan, issued a notification on Tuesday announcing the implementation of a new grading policy, which will take effect in phases from 2026 for matriculation and intermediate annual examinations.
However, the updated policy excludes the Grade Point Average (GPA) and Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) systems, which were part of the earlier proposed framework.
According to the notification, the decision was made during a meeting of the heads of all education boards, held in Karachi last month. The IBCC has now formally notified the implementation schedule.
Speaking to Express News, IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah said the change was made after several universities expressed reservations about adopting GPA-based admissions at this stage.
“During the forum’s meeting in Karachi, it was observed that many universities are not yet ready to offer admissions based on the GPA system. The universities advised that the new grading policy should initially be implemented without GPA, and the education boards agreed to it,” Dr Mallah said. “Therefore, the new grading policy will be implemented from 2026 without GPA,” he added.
The IBCC’s notification also confirmed that the inclusion of GPA in the national grading system has been deferred until further notice.
Grading under new system
The new grading model, inspired by the Cambridge assessment structure, will introduce multiple letter grades for high-performing students.
Previously, students scoring 80–100% were given an A1 grade. Under the new system, that range will be split into four new categories: 96–100%: A++ (Extraordinary), 91–95%: A+ (Exceptional), 86–90%: A (Outstanding), 81–85%: B++ (Excellent). Other grades will include B+ (Very Good), B (Good), C+ (Fair Good), C (Above Average), D (Emerging), and U (Ungraded).
The IBCC stated that the policy will be implemented in ninth and eleventh grades in 2026, followed by tenth and twelfth grades in 2027, ensuring a phased transition across all educational boards in the country.
FBISE also introduces new grading formula
The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has also introduced a new grading formula aimed at improving academic standards and aligning Pakistan’s education system with international practices.
According to a notification issued by Director Test Development Mirza Ali, the new grading system will be implemented for matriculation exams from 2026, while intermediate (FA and FSc) students will follow the new structure from 2027.
The move follows the guidelines and decisions of the Inter Board Coordination Commission, which earlier approved a similar national framework for all education boards.
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Under the new system, students securing 96–100% marks will receive an A++ grade, those with 91–95% will get A+, and 86–90% will be graded A. Similarly, 81–85% will correspond to B++, 76–80% to B+, and 71–75% to B. Students scoring 61–70% will receive C+, 51–60% will get C, and those earning 40–50% will be given a D (Emerging) grade.
Students obtaining below 40% marks will be designated as ‘Ungraded’. The notification also states that ‘Ungraded’ students will be allowed to reappear in exams provided they meet other academic requirements.
Education experts said the new grading system would more accurately reflect students’ performance and offer fairer assessment opportunities. “The new system is designed to present a more transparent evaluation of students’ capabilities and align with global standards,” an educationist said.
The FBISE stated that the reform is part of broader efforts to modernise Pakistan’s examination and assessment system, making it more credible and internationally comparable.
