Ever wondered why 33% marks are required to pass Exams in Pakistan?

Have you ever wondered what’s the science behind the passing marks of 33% in Matriculation and Intermediate examinations? Technically the passing marks should be 50% but why they are 33%? Why not any other number like 35 or 30%? Is it because of our education system or literacy rate? Or is it because of our IQ levels?




Well, all of this is connected to British history. The first matriculation exam conducted in sub-continent was in 1858.  After the exam was conducted, the officials had to decide the passing criteria for the students. To clear the confusion, British were consulted and they were asked about the passing criteria of their examination system. British, at that time, had the criteria of 65% for the students to pass the examination.




The people of sub-continent at that time were not considered very intellectual and sharp minded. So the passing criteria for sub-continent students was set to 32.5%, which is half the British criteria. In 1861, the criteria was rounded off to 33% to make the marking and calculation easier. Ever since then, no one tried to make any changes in the passing marks criteria. Pakistan eventually adopted sub-continent’s education system.

Our students are very sharp and smart now. Our government really need to revise this education system as well as the examination criteria. Increasing the passing criteria will definitely create a sense of competition among the students.