ISLAMABAD - The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) will award marks in compulsory subjects for grade 9 to 12 students on the basis of average marks obtained in the elective subjects, The Nation learnt on Wednesday.
The board has also notified that 5% proportionate additional marks will be also awarded to the students in compulsory subjects. The notification issued by the board also said that students who had compartment will be passed with 33% marks, while those who remained fully absent will be considered absent.
The board has also notified that in practical exams, the students will be awarded 50% of total practical marks as baseline to students.  The notification issued said that it is notified for information and necessary action of all concerned that in view of the Inter-Provincial Education Ministers Conference (IPEMC) decisions, the competent authority has been pleased to approve the criteria for the candidates of SSC and HSSC Annual Examinations, 2021 of FBISE, in anticipation of approval of Board of Governors.
“All candidates of grade 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th shall be awarded marks in compulsory subjects based on average marks obtained in the elective subjects and mathematics (in case of 9th and 10th). Furthermore, upto 5% proportionate additional marks shall also be awarded in compulsory subjects,” said the notification. 
It also said that actual marks obtained by the candidate in the subjects they appeared in shall be shown. However, candidates who have compartment in any number subjects/absent, passing marks 33% shall be awarded. The notification further said that the marks of grades 9th and 11th will be awarded on the basis of grade 10th and 12th respectively. For the subjects which include practical exams, 50% of total practical marks as baseline marks will be granted to all candidates and remaining in the relevant theory paper would be accordingly granted.
“The marks in improvement cases shall be awarded as per papers given by the candidates. Candidates who remained absent in all subjects (full absent) shall be treated as absent,” it said.
It also stated that upto 5% marks will be awarded in such a manner that candidates retain their actual positions. The chairman of FBISE is authorised to decide the hardship cases.
The FBISE will announce the intermediate examination results on Monday 27th September and Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood will be the chief guest of the ceremony.
Earlier, the IPEMC had reached a unified formula to pass all students appearing in elective subjects exams held by educational boards.
The meeting had reviewed the latest status of coronavirus and also discussed the start of the new academic year, promotion policy for the Annual Examinations 2021, implementation of national curriculum and medium of instruction in Punjab, Sindh and KP and the policy regarding two examinations in a year of matriculation and intermediate. 
Federal Minister Shafqat Mahmood had announced that it was also decided that to calculate numbers in compulsory subjects, the average of elective subjects will be taken. However to facilitate students, all those who fail in any subject will be given 33% marks for the purpose of computing averages.
He also said that board exams will be held in May-June and the next academic year will start from August 22. The O and A level exams are as per schedule. Universities will make their own timetable for exams.
The minister also said that the education ministers decided that every effort will be made to ensure that the entire syllabus for all classes is completed by April/May. Thus there will be no smart syllabus. Exam will be from the entire syllabus.