The Punjab Board Committee of Chairmen (PBCC) has officially approved a 10-point grading system for matriculation and intermediate examinations, marking a significant shift in the evaluation process for students.

Under this new system, students' academic performance will be assessed using grades and GPA instead of traditional numerical marks.

A major highlight of the new grading policy is the replacement of the term “Fail” with “Unsatisfactory”, aiming to reduce the psychological pressure on students. Additionally, the passing percentage will be increased from 33% to 40%, making the evaluation criteria stricter.

The implementation of this system will take place in phases. In the first phase, students of classes 9 and 11 will begin receiving grades instead of marks starting in 2026. In the second phase, the system will extend to classes 10 and 12 in 2027.

According to board officials, the primary objective behind this transformation is to shift the focus from the unhealthy competition for marks to overall academic improvement.

By adopting a grading and GPA-based assessment system, the Punjab education authorities aim to encourage students to focus on learning rather than just securing high marks.