The Karachi Board has officially announced a major overhaul of the matric examination assessment system, introducing a revised grading structure and increasing the minimum passing marks to 40%. The decision is aimed at improving transparency, academic standards, and student evaluation.
Little Detail About the New Grading Policy
The reforms have been approved and implemented by the Board of Secondary Education Karachi. Under the updated policy, the traditional marking and result declaration system has been replaced with a modern grading-based approach, aligned with evolving education standards.
The changes will be applied in phases, starting from the current academic year.
🎓 Eligibility: Which Students Are Affected?
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Class 9 students: New grading system applies from the ongoing academic year
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Class 10 students: Will be assessed under the revised system from 2027
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Both government and private school candidates are included
This phased rollout is designed to give students and institutions adequate adjustment time.
✅ New Passing Criteria Explained
Under the revised rules:
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Minimum passing marks: 40%
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Students scoring 40% or above will be declared successful
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Students scoring below 40% will not pass the exam
Instead of being marked as “fail,” students below the threshold will now receive a “U grade.”
Revised Grading Structure
The updated grading system introduces clearer performance categories:
| Marks Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| 96% – 100% | A++ |
| 90% – 95% | A+ |
| 80% – 89% | A |
| 70% – 79% | B |
| 60% – 69% | C |
| 50% – 59% | D |
| 40% – 49% | E |
| Below 40% | U (Unsuccessful) |
This structure is intended to better reflect student performance levels.
💡 Benefits of the Revised System
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Removes the stigma of the word “fail”
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Encourages gradual academic improvement
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Introduces performance-based grading
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Aligns Karachi Board with modern assessment trends
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Improves result clarity for colleges and parents
⚠️ Limitations and Important Notes
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Students with a U grade must appear in supplementary exams
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GPA system is being introduced on an interim basis
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Schools and students will need orientation on grade interpretation
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Full transition will take time
📝 Applying Process: What Happens If a Student Gets U Grade?
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Result declared with U grade
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Student becomes eligible for supplementary examination
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Passing the supplementary exam allows continuation of studies
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GPA updated after successful clearance
What is the new passing percentage for matric exams?
The minimum passing requirement is now 40%.
Is the term “fail” still used?
No, it has been replaced with the U grade.
Does this apply to Class 10 students in 2026?
No, Class 10 will shift to the new system from 2027.
Will GPA be permanent?
Currently, GPA is being introduced on an interim basis.
Concluding View
The revised grading and 40% passing policy introduced by BSEK marks a significant shift in Karachi’s secondary education system. By focusing on structured grading instead of outright failure, the board aims to promote fairness, academic growth, and clearer evaluation standards. Students and parents are advised to understand the new grading scale early to better plan academic progress under the updated system.
