The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has announced the schedule for the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) or matriculation exams 2026 for overseas students.
According to official notification, examinations in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain will begin on May 5, 2026.
The board stated that detailed date sheets and further instructions will be issued shortly, adding that arrangements for overseas candidates have been expedited to ensure the smooth conduct of exams.
The announcement follows last month’s decision to postpone matric exams in multiple countries due to heightened regional tensions. Exams initially scheduled to start on March 31, 2026, were deferred in Iran and four Gulf countries, including Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain, citing security concerns.
According to FBISE, the postponement was aimed at safeguarding students amid the prevailing situation. The board assured that a revised schedule would be shared in advance and urged students and parents not to worry.
Authorities added that the situation at international exam centres is being closely monitored and exams will continue under a reorganised schedule once conditions stabilise.
FBISE new exam pattern for SSC-I science subjects from 2027
The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) earlier officially announced a revised exam pattern for SSC-I Science subjects on Tuesday.
These subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computer Science. This will be applicable from the 2027 examinations, according to the details.
According to the official notification, the total theory paper will now carry 60 marks. This has been reduced from the previous 75 marks.
New FBISE objective portion 2027: 30 marks
The objective section will consist of 60 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). These will carry a total of 30 marks.
Each MCQ will be worth 0.5 marks. Out of these MCQs, five sets of MCQs will be based on scenarios or stimulus-based questions. Each of the sets will contain four questions.
The board has further emphasised that the questions will be designed to assess conceptual understanding. In addition to this, a 30 per cent focus will be placed on knowledge-based cognitive skills, as per the Table of Specifications provided in the notification.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total marks | 30 |
| Total MCQs | 60 MCQs |
| Marks per MCQ | 0.5 mark |
| Special MCQ sets | 5 sets (Scenario/Stimulus-based), 4 MCQs each |
| Cognitive level | 30% Knowledge-based (K) |
| Assessment focus | Conceptual understanding + application |
