The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) has increased the grace marks from three to five under the new grading formula, which also raises the passing marks from 33 to 40.

This change, set to take effect in the 2025 matriculation and intermediate examinations, allows examiners to grant up to five grace marks to students who fall short of passing.

In the past, students who scored 30 marks could receive three grace marks to pass, but under the new grading formula, students may receive up to five marks to help them pass.

The decision was made during the two-day IBCC meeting, where education officials from across the country discussed important changes to the grading system.

The meeting, which included the chairmen of education boards and Executive Director Ghulam Ali Mallah, saw the proposal of increasing grace marks to seven, but this was not approved by the majority.

It was decided that grace marks would be capped at five, with a maximum of two subjects eligible for the additional marks.

However, it was highlighted in the meeting that the student will not be eligible for the grace marks if failed in three subjects.

In addition to the grace marks change, the IBCC reviewed the progress of the Model Assessment Framework (MAF), aimed at standardizing exams across the country.

A digital question item bank was also approved to further modernize the assessment system.

The meeting also discussed other educational reforms, including the concession of education fees for orphan students and the introduction of an “orphan status” box in examination forms.

Furthermore, all provinces agreed to harmonize the admission schedule for medical and dental colleges, with exams to be held in March or April and results declared by June or July.