Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) has announced plans to hold a retake exam of A level following the disruptive events that unfolded on May 10, 11, and 12, 2023 in October.
The government’s recent declaration aims to assuage the concerns of students and parents who were disheartened by unforeseen grades in the A and AS-level exams for the year 2023.
A pivotal meeting was convened at the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT), where essential stakeholders including Uzma Yousaf, the Country Director of CAIE, Maria Rehman, the Director of British Council, and other prominent figures in the education sector participated. The primary objective was to devise a comprehensive strategy to rectify the discrepancies that arose in the recent examination results.
Cambridge has taken the initiative to waive the fees associated with the retake exams, while the British Council will lend its support in terms of logistical arrangements at a reduced cost. In instances where notable disparities exist between school-assessed grades, Cambridge assessment grades will undergo an individualized process of re-evaluation and re-assessment.
For those seeking re-evaluation and reassessment, schools will contribute 80 percent of the associated costs, with parents covering the remaining 20 percent. Should these reviews lead to alterations in grades, the entire fee will be reimbursed.
Furthermore, the Ministry plans to collaborate with prominent university Vice Chancellors to ensure flexibility in the admissions process. Simultaneously, coordination with provincial governments will be undertaken to implement parallel measures.
To address unresolved grievances, a complaint redressal mechanism will be instituted under the Private Institution Education Regulatory Authority (PIERA) within the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, thereby ensuring continuous oversight.
The root of these developments traces back to the moment when Pakistani students received their Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) AS and A-Level results. The cancellation of exams on May 9 and 12 due to political tensions resulted in unexpected grading outcomes.
Subsequent to this, students and parents rallied for the rescheduling of the postponed exams to rectify their grades. In response, Cambridge International conveyed its commitment to gradually reinstating the standards observed prior to the pandemic, particularly those from the year 2019.
