Inter Board Coordination Commission, according to the new classification policy, has made an upward change in the passport percentage for both intermediate and matrix levels from 33% to 40% across the country.
The Commission, the official forum representing all educational boards throughout Pakistan, on Tuesday issued a notification that announced the implementation of a new classification policy that will come into force In phases from 2026 to matriculation and intermediate annual studies.
However, the updated policy excludes the character point Average (GPA) and cumulative character points average (CGPA) systems that were part of the previously proposed framework.
According to the announcement, the decision was made during a meeting with the leaders of all educational boards held in Karachi last month. IBCC has now formally notified the implementation plan.
Talking to Express newsIBCC CEO Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah said the change was made after several universities expressed reservations about adopting GPA-based recordings at this time.
“During the Forum’s meeting in Karachi, it was observed that many universities are not yet ready to offer footage based on the GPA system. The universities advised that the new classification policy should originally be implemented without GPA, and the educational board agreed,” Dr. Mallah. “Therefore, the new classification policy will be implemented from 2026 without GPA,” he added.
IBCC’s review also confirmed that the inclusion of GPA in the national classification system has been postponed so far.
Classification under new system
The new classification model, inspired by the Cambridge assessment structure, introduces several letters to high-performance students.
Previously, students who scored 80-100%got an A1 class. Under the new system, this range is divided into four new categories: 96–100%: A ++ (extraordinary), 91–95%: A+ (unusual), 86–90%: A (excellent), 81–85%: B ++ (excellent). Other qualities will include B+ (very good), b (good), c+ (fair good), c (above average), d (new) and u (ungraded).
IBCC stated that the policy will be implemented in the ninth and eleventh class by 2026, followed by the tenth and twelfth grade in 2027, ensuring a phase transition across all educational board in the country.
FBIS also introduces new classification formula
The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has also introduced a new classification formula aimed at improving academic standards and adapting Pakistan’s education system with international practice.
According to a review issued by Director Test Development Mirza Ali, the new classification system will be implemented for the matriculation exam from 2026, while intermediate (FA and FSC) students will follow the new structure from 2027.
The move follows the guidelines and decisions from the Inter Board Coordination Commission, which previously approved a similar national framework for all educational board.
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According to the new system, students who secure 96–100% grades will receive an A ++ class, those with 91-95% will get A+, and 86-90% will be classified A. Similarly, 81-85% will correspond to B ++, 76-80% to B+and 71-75% to B. Students scoring 61-70% get a d (new) class.
Students who get below 40% grades are designated as ‘ungraded’. The message also states that ‘unclassified’ students are allowed to reappear in exams, provided they meet other academic requirements.
Educational experts said the new classification system would more accurately reflect the student’s performance and give more fair assessments of assessment. “The new system is designed to present a more transparent evaluation of students’ capabilities and adapt to global standards,” an educationalist said.
The FBOS stated that the reform is part of broader efforts to modernize Pakistan’s investigation and assessment system, making it more credible and internationally comparable.
