KARACHI – The government has officially deferred the implementation of the newly proposed grading system for matric (SSC) and intermediate (HSC) examinations across Sindh and other provinces of Pakistan. As per the latest notification issued by the Sindh Universities and Boards Department, the revised grading criteria will now come into effect from the academic year 2026 instead of 2025, as initially planned.
This means that the 2025 annual examinations—which have already been conducted under the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) and Board of Intermediate Education (BIE)—will continue to follow the existing percentage-based system rather than the new Grade Point Average (GPA) format.
Official Notification and Timeline
The decision to delay the grading shift was communicated via an official circular referencing a prior directive dated October 15, 2024, along with the guidelines from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) dated June 18, 2025. The government cited the need for additional time to prepare educational institutions, update IT infrastructure, and conduct teacher training across boards before fully rolling out the new system.
Key Changes in the New Grading Policy (Now Effective from 2026)
The new system aims to align Pakistan’s assessment standards with international grading norms. Here are the major changes that were expected in 2025 but will now be applied from 2026 onward:
- Passing Marks: Will be increased from 33% to 40% across all subjects.
- Grading Format: Traditional percentage-based results will be replaced with Grade Points (GP) and Grade Point Average (GPA).
- New Grading Scale:
- A++ (95-100%) – Exceptional – GPA 5.0
- A+ (90-94%) – Outstanding
- A (85-89%) – Excellent
- B++ (80-84%) – Very Good
- B+ (75-79%) – Good
- B (70-74%) – Fairly Good
- C (60-69%) – Above Average
- D (50-59%) – Average
- E (40-49%) – Below Average
- Below 40% – Unsatisfactory (not labeled as “Fail” to reduce psychological stress)
This revamped structure aims to move away from the outdated fail/pass binary and instead promote a more constructive academic evaluation approach.
Reason for Delay
Educational authorities and board officials highlighted several logistical challenges in enforcing the new system within the 2025 timeframe. These include:
- Need for comprehensive training of examiners and teachers on the GPA system.
- Upgradation of examination software and result-generation systems to support the new format.
- Time required for awareness campaigns among students, parents, and school administrations.
The postponement is viewed by many education experts as a practical step, allowing all stakeholders ample time to transition smoothly without compromising the quality or accuracy of assessments.
What This Means for Students in 2025
Students who appeared in the 2025 SSC and HSC annual examinations will receive their results based on the conventional grading model with marks shown in percentages. The policy shift, including higher passing criteria and GPA-based evaluation, will not impact them.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Boards across Pakistan are expected to conduct pilot tests, training workshops, and orientation programs throughout 2025 to ensure a successful nationwide rollout of the new system in 2026. Once implemented, it will mark a major milestone in Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its education sector and adopt more globally recognized evaluation frameworks.