The Government of Pakistan recognises Cambridge qualifications and provides equivalence with the local education system in order to ensure a smooth transition for students who choose to continue their education in Pakistan.
Qualification equivalence, issued by the Government’s Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), is as follows:
Cambridge O Levels and Cambridge IGSCE qualifications are equated to the local Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
Cambridge International A Levels are equated to the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC).
Conversion of Grades
The following table provides marks that are awarded by IBCC against grades received from Cambridge qualifications.
Grade
IBCC Marks
A*
90
A
85
B
75
C
65
D
55
E
45
F
Not Applicable
G
Not Applicable
Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE conversion
In order to explain the grade conversion, a worked example of equivalence is presented below.
Subject
Grade
IBCC Marks
English Language
A
85
Urdu
A*
90
Islamiyat
B
75
Pakistan Studies
B
75
Physics
A
85
Chemistry
B
75
Biology
C
65
Mathematics
D
55
Total Marks
605
If a candidate receives the above grades, they are converted into the marks awarded by IBCC. Since the total marks received are out of 800, these need to be equated with the Pakistani scheme of studies which awards marks out of 900.
The following formula is used to equate the marks a candidate receives as per the Pakistani scheme of studies: Total marks x 900/800
In this case, it will be 605 x 900/800 = 680 Marks (Out of 900)
Cambridge International A Level Conversion
In order to convert Cambridge International A Level, marks from both Cambridge O Level/Cambridge IGCSE (eight subjects) and Cambridge International A Level (three subjects) are taken into account.
Subject
Grade
IBCC Marks
English Language
A*
90
Urdu
A
85
Islamiyat
B
75
Pakistan Studies
B
75
Physics
A*
90
Chemistry
B
75
Biology
A
85
Mathematics
B
75
Total Marks
650
GCE A Level Subject
Grade
IBCC Marks
Physics
A
85
Chemistry
A*
90
Mathematics or Biology
B
75
Total Marks
250
Assuming a candidate receives the above grades, they are converted as per the marks awarded by IBCC. Since the total marks received are out of 1100, these do not need to be equated with the Pakistani scheme of studies, which also awards marks out of 1100.
The following formula is used: Total marks x 1100/1100
(650+250) x 1100/1100 = 900 Marks
Also check equivalence requirement by HSSC to convert grades for Cambridge International A Levels
