Grace Marks in Matric 2026 β Who Gets Them & How Many?
How grace marks work in BISE matric exams 2026. Who qualifies, how many marks per subject, whether it shows on your DMC & can you apply? Full board policy.
Grace Marks in Matric Result β How They Work and Who Gets Them
Quick Answer: Grace marks in Pakistan's matric exams are automatically awarded by the board to students who are very close to passing a subject. You do not apply for them β the board applies them automatically after result calculation. Typically 1-3 marks are awarded per subject, but this varies by board and year.
Every year, thousands of Pakistani matric students fail a subject by just 1-2 marks. For these students, grace marks can make the critical difference between passing and a compartment. This guide explains exactly how grace marks work.
Grace Marks Meaning
Grace marks meaning: Grace marks are extra marks added by a BISE board to a student's score when they fail a subject by a very small margin (typically 1β5 marks). They allow a student who nearly passed to achieve the minimum passing threshold without a supplementary exam.
Grace marks (also called concessionary marks or relief marks) are additional marks awarded by the BISE board to students who narrowly fail to reach the passing threshold in a subject.
The purpose is to avoid the harsh outcome of a student failing by an extremely small margin due to factors beyond their control (a slightly harsh examiner, a minor mistake, etc.).
Are Grace Marks Official?
Yes. Grace marks are an official, recognized policy of BISE boards. They are not favors β they are a structured, rules-based system applied consistently according to defined criteria.
How Grace Marks Work β The Mechanics
After all marks are calculated but before the final result is published:
- The board's computer system identifies students who failed one or more subjects
- For each failing subject, the system checks: how close is the student to the passing threshold?
- If within the specified grace mark range, the board awards grace marks automatically
- The system re-checks if the student now passes
- If the student passes with grace marks, their result shows "PASS" with the adjusted marks
Who Qualifies for Grace Marks?
Each board has its own specific policy, but general criteria:
Proximity to passing: A student who scores, say, 30 or 31 marks in a subject where 33 is passing may receive 2-3 grace marks to reach 33.
Aggregate threshold: Some boards also consider whether the student's overall aggregate is close to the passing aggregate threshold.
Subject-specific rules: Some boards have stricter rules for certain subjects (e.g., Mathematics may have different grace mark policies than Pakistan Studies).
Not for all failures: A student who scored 20/100 in a subject (far below the threshold) will not receive grace marks sufficient to pass β grace marks cover marginal failures only.
How Many Grace Marks Are Given?
This is where boards differ:
| Scenario | Typical Grace Marks | |----------|---------------------| | Failing by 1 mark | Usually grace marks applied | | Failing by 2-3 marks | Usually grace marks applied | | Failing by 4-5 marks | Depends on board policy | | Failing by more than 5 | Typically no grace marks |
The exact policy varies by board and year. Boards do not always publicly announce their exact grace mark formula.
Grace Marks vs. Supply Exam
Grace marks are applied before the supply exam is triggered. The sequence is:
- Exam papers marked
- Marks calculated
- Grace marks applied (automatically) to borderline failures
- Final result determined: PASS or COMPARTMENT/FAIL
- If still failing after grace marks β supply exam eligibility
A student who passes only with grace marks is fully passing β there is no "asterisk" on their result.
What Your DMC Shows
If you received grace marks:
- Some boards show the total marks (including grace) without specifying that grace was applied
- Some boards footnote grace marks on the DMC
- The final result (PASS) is recorded based on the total including grace marks
This means your DMC may show 33 marks in a subject where you originally scored 31 β the grace marks are reflected in the total.
Do Grace Marks Show That You "Barely Passed"?
Practically speaking, no. The DMC shows the final marks and result. Colleges and employers typically do not investigate whether those exact marks included grace marks or not.
However, if you scored very close to the passing threshold in critical subjects, it is worth working harder in intermediate to build a stronger foundation.
Can You Apply for Grace Marks?
No. Grace marks are applied automatically by the board's system. There is no application process. If you believe you deserved grace marks but did not receive them, the appropriate avenue is:
- Rechecking β Verify your marks were correctly calculated
- Re-evaluation β Have your paper re-marked; this might raise marks above the threshold naturally
See our rechecking vs re-evaluation guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do all BISE boards give grace marks? A: Most BISE boards have some form of grace mark policy. However, specifics differ. Check your board's official policy document.
Q: Can grace marks help me pass the overall aggregate even if I passed all subjects? A: Some boards apply grace marks at both the subject level and the overall aggregate level. This is less common β subject-level grace marks are the primary mechanism.
Q: My friend got 33 in a subject and I got 31. Will I definitely get grace marks? A: Not definitely β it depends on your board's specific policy for that subject and year. But students failing by 2 marks are typically the prime candidates for grace marks.
Q: If I get grace marks in one subject, does that affect my grade? A: The grade is calculated on the final total (including grace marks). If grace marks push you to 33% exactly, you get Grade E (minimum pass) for that subject.
Q: Can a student who received grace marks become a position holder? A: No. Position holders are determined by the highest aggregate, and receiving grace marks typically indicates the student is near the lower end of the distribution.
Q: Is there a way to know if my marks included grace marks? A: Not easily β the board does not routinely disclose this. If your marks on the DMC match your expectations, the question is moot.
Understand your complete result β check our matric grading system guide and use our result checker when 2026 results come out.