The latest NED University admission test results have raised concerns over the credibility of marks awarded by some public examination boards, with independent and international boards recording significantly stronger performance.
KARACHI: The results of the NED University of Engineering and Technology admission test have highlighted significant differences in student performance across various examination boards, drawing renewed attention to the quality and assessment standards of several public education boards in Sindh.
According to the admission test results, candidates from Cambridge, foreign examination systems, and other independent boards achieved considerably higher pass rates than students from a number of public boards in Sindh, particularly the Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE).
Vice Chancellor Questions Reliability of High Intermediate Scores
Speaking to The News, NED University Vice Chancellor Dr Tufail said the results raise important questions about the credibility of marks awarded by some examination boards.
He noted that a significant number of students who had obtained 70% to 80% marks in their first-year intermediate examinations were unable to qualify for the university’s admission test.
According to Dr Tufail, this discrepancy suggests that high marks in certain board examinations may not always accurately reflect students’ academic preparedness for higher education.
Foreign and Independent Boards Record Highest Success Rates
The admission test results show a clear variation in pass rates among different examination systems.
The highest pass rate was recorded by students from foreign examination boards, with 95.65% qualifying for admission.
Other notable results include:
- Cambridge Examination System: 94.32%
- Aga Khan University Examination Board: 88.84%
- Federal Board: 83.71%
- Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK): 79.91%
These figures indicate comparatively stronger performance among students from international and independent examination systems.
Public Boards in Sindh Lag Behind
Several public examination boards in Sindh recorded substantially lower pass rates.
The Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE) posted the lowest pass rate at just 13.95%, making it the weakest-performing board in the admission test.
Among the education boards in interior Sindh, the pass rates were as follows:
- Hyderabad Board: 46.83%
- Nawabshah Board: 42.03%
- Mirpurkhas Board: 40.43%
- Larkana Board: 36.71%
- Sukkur Board: 35.06%
The results have renewed debate over the consistency of academic standards across different examination boards operating in the province.
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Overall Admission Test Results
According to NED University, 13,056 candidates appeared in the admission test, while 9,252 students qualified, resulting in an overall pass rate of 70.86%.
Candidates are required to obtain at least 50% marks in the admission test to become eligible for consideration under the university’s open merit admission policy.
Dr Tufail also clarified that A-Level students were not included in the current statistics because their examinations are still in progress. Their admission test will be conducted after the completion of their exams.
Concerns Over Assessment Standards
Education experts say the results once again highlight a growing gap between examination scores and students’ actual academic performance.
They argue that when a considerable number of students with high intermediate marks fail to pass a university entrance examination, it raises legitimate questions about examination standards, assessment methods, and the consistency of grading across different boards.
The issue has sparked calls for a comprehensive review of examination and evaluation systems to ensure that board results accurately measure students’ academic abilities.
Governance Challenges in Examination Boards
The findings have also drawn attention to long-standing administrative challenges within Sindh’s examination boards.
According to education experts, several boards have been operating for years without permanent appointments to key positions, including chairpersons, controllers of examinations, secretaries, and audit officers.
The Hyderabad Board and the Karachi Matriculation Board have also reportedly remained without permanent chairpersons for extended periods.
Experts believe that weak institutional oversight, prolonged administrative vacancies, and delayed reforms have affected the governance and credibility of the province’s examination system. They argue that strengthening leadership, improving assessment mechanisms, and implementing education reforms will be essential to restoring confidence in Sindh’s public examination boards and ensuring fair opportunities for students seeking admission to higher education institutions.
