IBCC Forum Moves to Standardise Exams, Raise Transparency Nationwide

Islamabad, September 5, 2026: The two-day 184th meeting of the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) Forum concluded in Murree with key decisions to strengthen Pakistan’s examination system, promote uniformity among boards and move assessment away from rote learning towards conceptual understanding.

The forum was attended by chairpersons of Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISEs) from across the country, representatives of technical education boards, and senior officials of curriculum and textbook boards.

National Coordinator IBCC Forum Inayatullah Waseem, while welcoming the participants, underlined the need for active participation and collective ownership in the reform process. He said the IBCC Forum served as an important national platform where boards could learn from each other, exchange successful practices and jointly address challenges confronting the examination system.

He stressed that stronger coordination among boards and consistent implementation of agreed reforms were vital for fairness, quality and public trust in examinations across Pakistan.

A central agenda item of the meeting was implementation of the Prime Minister’s directives regarding standardisation of the examination system across the country. The forum adopted measures to bring greater uniformity in assessment and examination practices, aimed also at strengthening the credibility and international recognition of Pakistani qualifications.

The meeting was informed that examination boards in Sindh, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE), AJK Board, KIU Board, Aga Khan Board and Ziauddin Board had implemented the new grading policy, under which minimum passing marks have been raised to 40 percent.

It was also decided that awareness sessions and workshops would be arranged to support the implementation of the Revised Grading Formula across the country.

In a step meant to improve transparency and reliability of academic records, the forum agreed to include B-Form and CNIC numbers on SSC and HSSC certificates. The measure is expected to make student records easier to identify, access and verify.

The forum also approved student-oriented initiatives under which IBCC will offer scholarships and overseas exposure opportunities to board toppers. Winter and Summer Camps will also be arranged for high-achieving students to provide broader learning, leadership and exposure opportunities.

The forum recommended 12 more Deeni Madaris for equivalence of their qualifications with SSC and HSSC. With this decision, the total number of Madaris under the equivalence framework has reached 26.

In another decision aimed at facilitating students of foreign examination systems, the forum agreed that Science Group equivalence would be granted to foreign-board students who have passed at least two science subjects. The step is intended to provide greater flexibility in academic pathways.

The participants also agreed to prepare a uniform calendar for theory and practical examinations. Common guidelines and procedures for practical examinations will also be developed to ensure consistency, fairness and transparency across examination boards.

During the meeting, BISE Kohat, BISE Quetta and FBISE presented their best practices, innovative initiatives and outcomes for possible adoption and replication by other boards.

Speaking on examination reforms, Executive Director IBCC Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah appreciated the Government of Punjab for merit-based appointment of chairpersons of examination boards. He observed that competent professional leadership was adding value to the IBCC Forum and supporting the national effort to shift examinations from rote learning to conceptual assessment.

Dr Mallah also commended the Government of Sindh and the chairpersons of Sindh examination boards for implementing e-marking across the province. He termed it an important move towards greater transparency, efficiency and credibility in the examination system.

He said the reforms being pursued through the IBCC Forum were part of a broader national effort to build an examination system that tests understanding instead of memory, rewards genuine learning, adopts technology and enhances the national and international credibility of Pakistani qualifications.

The forum reaffirmed its commitment to stronger coordination among examination, technical, curriculum and textbook boards. It also reiterated the resolve to develop a transparent, technology-enabled, student-friendly and internationally comparable assessment system across Pakistan.

The proceedings were conducted by Secretary IBCC Forum and Director General IBCC Muhammad Usman Khan.