The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has announced a major change in its grading policy. Starting next year, the minimum passing marks for all subjects will increase from 33 percent to 40 percent.
According to an FBISE official, the revised policy will take effect from the 2026 annual examinations. It will apply to both Secondary School Certificate (SSC-I) and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC-I) students.
Until now, students only needed 33 percent to pass each subject. However, the new benchmark aims to enhance academic standards and align them with international practices.
The move comes after the Inter-Board Coordination Commission (IBCC) reviewed grading systems across various educational boards in Pakistan. Following its recommendations, FBISE decided to implement stricter criteria to enhance overall learning outcomes.
The change also signals a broader effort to raise Pakistan’s educational standards in line with global expectations.