Secondary education study results

The boards for secondary education make use of their own assessment systems. Often these assessment systems look much alike. Many boards assess study results as follows:

  • Each subject is given a score between 0 and 100.
  • They add up the scores of all subjects. This is the total score.
  • They divide the total score by the highest possible total score (usually 1,100).
  • This results in a percentage.
  • They state this percentage as a grade on the diploma and/or transcript.

For example, the assessment system of the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Islamabad (FBISE) is like this:

Grade Percentages Description
A1 80-100 Exceptional
A 70-79 Excellent
B 60-69 Very good
C 50-59 Good
D 40-49 Very fair
E 33-39 Fair
F 0-32 Fail

Please note: boards often only mention the grade on the diploma and/or transcript, not the percentage. Sometimes they differentiate between an internal grade (the result from the school exams) and an external grade (the result from the board exams). When we determine the level of a diploma, we only count the result from the board exams.

    Secondary education documents

    Students can prove that they have completed upper secondary education with:

    They usually receive both documents in English.

    Please note:

    • Documents from the high school are not sufficient. The board issues the official diplomas and transcripts.
    • A provisional transcript is not sufficient. Students can ask their board for an official transcript.
    • It is often possible to check results on the website of the board (which awarded the diploma).

    Higher education study results

    Many higher education institutions use the following system to assess study results:

    Percentages Classification
    80-100 Distinction
    60-79 Division I
    45-59 Division II
    33-44 Division III
    0-32 Fail

    Please note:

    • Instead of ‘division’, the term ‘class’ is also frequently used.
    • You can often find an explanation of the classifications on the reverse of the grade list.

    Higher education documents

    Students can prove that they have completed a study programme in higher education with:

    • the diploma; and
    • the transcript.

    They usually receive both documents in English.

    Please note:

    • A provisional transcript is not sufficient. Students can apply for an official transcript from their higher education institution.
    • Sometimes it is possible to check results on the website of the higher education institution.