O-Level and A-Level: Which Class Do They Equal in Pakistan?
A clear guide to how Cambridge O-Level and A-Level map to Pakistan's Matric and Intermediate system.
The short answer
| Cambridge qualification | Pakistani equivalent |
|---|---|
| O-Level | Matric / SSC (9th and 10th class) |
| AS-Level | First year Intermediate (11th class) |
| A-Level | Intermediate / HSSC (11th and 12th class) |
Why equivalence matters
Pakistani universities and government job applications typically require SSC and HSSC marks or their equivalent. Since O-Level and A-Level use a different grading system (letter grades instead of marks out of 1050 or 1100), the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) converts your grades into an official equivalent mark sheet.
How to get your official equivalence certificate
- Complete your O-Level (minimum 8 subjects) or A-Level (minimum 3 subjects) results.
- Apply to IBCC with your original Statement of Results and required documents.
- IBCC issues an equivalence certificate showing your SSC or HSSC equivalent marks and percentage.
- Use this certificate for university admissions, scholarship applications, and government forms that ask for SSC/HSSC marks.
Frequently asked questions
O-Level is generally treated as equivalent to Matric (9th and 10th class / SSC) in Pakistan's education system.
A-Level is generally treated as equivalent to Intermediate (11th and 12th class / HSSC) in Pakistan's education system.
The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) is the official body that issues equivalence certificates converting O-Level and A-Level results into SSC and HSSC marks recognised by Pakistani universities.