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Pakistan

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Important information for universities - replacement exams in Pakistan in the June 2021 series

Due to the continuing spread of Covid-19 across the country, the Government of Pakistan made the decision to cancel Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Pakistan for the June 2021 series. Although Cambridge International A Level examinations took place.

Subsequently, with the permission from the Government of Pakistan, Cambridge International were able to run a set of replacement exams in Pakistan in the June 2021 series for a selected number of Cambridge O Level and Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses in 14 key subjects, in order to facilitate student progression. Further information for universities assessing student applications can be found in the attached document.

Higher education has expanded rapidly in Pakistan, with the country’s Higher Education Commission now overseeing 218 private and public institutions which welcome both local and international students. All teaching is delivered in English.

Awarding grades during the Covid-19 pandemic

To meet the challenge of the Covid-19 crisis, Cambridge International awarded grades to students using a different assessment methodology for the June 2020 exam series. Universities across Pakistan and the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) treated results in the same manner as those from other series. Check the IBCC website for updates on equivalence.

Applying with Cambridge qualifications

Universities in Pakistan recognise and welcome Cambridge international qualifications. The Government of Pakistan also 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 IBCC, is as follows:

  • Cambridge O Levels and Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are equated to the local Secondary School Certificate (SSC)
  • Cambridge International A Levels are equated to the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC).

To qualify for equivalence at HSSC level, IBCC provides a list of the compulsory and elective subjects that must be studied at Cambridge O Level, Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge International A Level as follows:

Cambridge IGCSE and Cambridge O Level

  • Students must take five compulsory subjects: English, Urdu, Islamiyat, Pakistan Studies, Mathematics and three electives.
  • To qualify for the Science Group, students must pass Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Computer Science / Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

Cambridge International A Level

  • To be eligible for the Pre-Engineering group, students must pass three Cambridge International A Levels in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, along with eight Cambridge O Level/Cambridge IGCSE subjects.
  • To be eligible for the Medical group, along with eight Cambridge O Level/Cambridge IGCSE subjects, three Cambridge International A Levels in Physics, Chemistry and Biology are required.
  • For the General Science and Humanities groups, along with eight Cambridge O Levels, three Cambridge International A Levels in any subject are required to be eligible.

Cambridge grade conversion

Grade IBCC Mark
A* Above 90 (from examination series 2021 onwards)
A 85
B 75
C 65
D 55
E 45
F NA for IBCC
G NA for IBCC

View further information on the IBCC grade conversions.

Monthly webinar series: Cambridge in Pakistan - Conversations to support a Cambridge learner’s journey

The monthly webinar series, launched in December 2021, aims to provide the most up-to-date and relevant information on how studying Cambridge qualifications can lead to university admissions in Pakistan and abroad. Each month the webinar will bring together panellists who will guide Cambridge learners on most recent information on eligibility criteria, entry requirements, recognition of Cambridge qualifications in universities around the world, how Cambridge learners perform at university and many such topics to facilitate the university admission process for our learners. The webinar series is aimed at students, parents, teachers, student counsellors and anyone who is interested in finding out more about university admissions.

Recordings of all previous webinars can be accessed from the link below.

View all Cambridge in Pakistan webinars

The most recent webinar from December 2022 can be viewed below:

Using your Cambridge International A Levels to study at University of Cambridge.

Undergraduate degree options in Arts and Architecture for Cambridge learners in Pakistan

Find out more

Find out more about applying to study at universities in Pakistan in our Destination Pakistan brochure, a helpful guide to recognition of Cambridge qualifications in Pakistan.

  • Destination Pakistan brochure (English) (PDF, 4MB)
  • Destination Pakistan brochure (Urdu) (PDF, 1MB)
  • Making informed subject choices factsheet (PDF, 146KB)

We advise students to check with institutions directly for the most up-to-date information regarding admissions requirements and policies for local and international students.

Recognition search

Find out which universities in Pakistan recognise Cambridge qualifications by searching our recognitions database.

Benefits of Cambridge qualifications

Vice Chancellors and senior leaders from leading universities in Pakistan highlight the benefits of Cambridge qualifications and attributes of Cambridge International A Level students.

VIDEO: Perceptions of Cambridge students – Vice Chancellors & senior leaders from Pakistan universities

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