Federal Board Introduces New 10-Point Grading System for Students

The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has officially announced a new 10-point grading system, replacing the older five-tier model to make assessment more transparent and aligned with international education standards. Along with this reform, the passing marks have been increased from 33% to 40%, ensuring that students demonstrate stronger academic competency before promotion.

The new system features detailed grade divisions, offering a clearer picture of student performance:

• A++ (Extraordinary): 96% – 100%
• A+ (Exceptional): 91% – 95%
• A (Outstanding): 86% – 90%
• B++ (Excellent): 81% – 85%
• B+ (Very Good): 76% – 80%
• B (Good): 71% – 75%
• C+ (Fairly Good): 61% – 70%
• C (Above Average): 51% – 60%
• D (Emerging): 40% – 50%
• U (Ungraded/Fail): Below 40%

The new grading policy will be implemented in two phases — beginning with SSC-I (9th) and HSSC-I (11th) classes in 2026, and extending to SSC-II (10th) and HSSC-II (12th) by 2027. This phased approach allows schools, teachers, and students sufficient time to adapt to the updated evaluation structure.

Education experts have praised the decision as a necessary step toward modernization, emphasizing that it will reduce grade inflation and motivate students to aim higher. However, some educators have expressed concern that increasing the passing percentage may create additional pressure on struggling students.

Despite mixed reactions, the Federal Board’s new grading criteria marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s education reform, aiming to improve academic integrity, reward genuine performance, and prepare students for globally competitive learning environments.