The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has announced a new grading policy for matriculation and intermediate students, following a recent meeting of the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC).
The new system will be implemented from the 2026 examinations for grades 9 and 11, while for grades 10 and 12, it will come into effect from the first annual exams of 2027.
Revised grading structure
Under the new policy, students will be graded based on performance percentages instead of traditional marks. The revised grading scale is as follows:
A++ (Exceptional): 96% to 100%
A+ (Outstanding): 91% to 95%
A (Excellent): 86% to 90%
B++ (Very Good): 81% to 85%
B+ (Good): 76% to 80%
B (Above Average): 71% to 75%
C+ (Satisfactory): 61% to 70%
C (Adequate): 51% to 60%
D (Marginal): 40% to 50%
Ungraded: Below 40%
Students who fall under the ungraded category will be allowed to retake exams in those specific subjects.
Objective of new policy
According to board officials, the purpose of the new grading framework is to improve assessment transparency, ensure fair evaluation, and bring Pakistan’s examination system in line with international standards.
The policy also aims to reduce exam stress by shifting focus from rote learning and marks-based competition to a broader evaluation of student performance.
