In Pakistan, the O level is regarded as a highly valuable school degree. Remember that this degree is not like other conventional degrees in Pakistan where you simply memorize the words from a book; you also need to be creative. In Pakistan, pupils in private schools tend to focus on the O level to ensure their future. In Pakistan, the O level is included in the GCE test.
For students who want to study abroad to complete higher education, then O levels are the perfect option. There is a Cambridge International Examinations offered by the British Council in Pakistan. However, the government of Pakistan is offering a matriculation system as an alternative to this education. What is O level and A Level in Pakistan?
As O-Level is being designed at the international standards from the age of 14 to 16 years. No specific criteria of age have been developed to judge the eligibility to appear in exams, but it depends upon the learning outcomes and aptitudes of the students. Even at a young age students who can perform in exams can appear in the exams at an early age as well.
Yes, the cost is the major factor in O level in Pakistan, which is a hard obstacle to overcome when it comes to the middle class in Pakistan. Typically, the O-levels of education in Pakistan are opted for by the middle and upper classes.
Major differences between O-levels and Matric System
Many of us think that matriculation and o-levels are the same, but there are lots of differences. Let’s explain how these education programs are different from each other.
- Difference in Affiliations
We have already mentioned that the O-levels are significantly controlled by Cambridge Assessment International Education of the UK. There are many recognized centers or fellowship centers from where a large number of students appear for CAIE.
if your child is appearing for o level ask for the center PK# First, On the flip side, matriculation is affiliated with BISE control by Govt of Punjab or other provisional boards in Pakistan.
Let’s have a detailed review of it by assessing the following factors.
- Duration of O-levels
Every subject requires a particular number of credit hours to study, in Pakistan, mostly private schools prefer to complete o level in three years, whereas in the same city like Lahore you can find out institutes. which prefer to cover all subjects in just 2 years?.
If you are good at studies and you want to appear in O Level duration in Pakistan by part is the better option as compared to 3 years, because it not only saves time and you have a good choice to pick good teachers out of the market, especially at the nativelearners.com.
- Exposure to the international horizon
As compared to matric/intermediate, O-A level students have more opportunities to move abroad for study, for CAIE students’ processes are far simpler and easier to fetch admission whereas a very smaller number of matric intermediate students move abroad for further studies. For them, admission abroad is a bit of a difficult task. Especially when it comes to language barriers.
- Analytic study vs Cram system
When we compare both systems with each other, we find a large distance between them and that the way of learning, O-A level the emphasis is on understanding the concept, its advantages, disadvantages or implications in real life, and by using your analytic abilities you will answer the questions in exams.
Whereas still in 2022, 90 % of teaching methodology is based on cramming the topic? Writing the same answer to the textbook will be considered correct and marks are given. Writing in your own words will not be a helpful pattern in it.
- Difference in Expense
One of the main differences between o-levels and matrices is the expense. The fees for o-levels are higher than matric fees ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 per month depending on the school and area you choose for your kid.
Yes, The o-levels are indeed costly and this is due to the different educational frameworks. The other reason for o-levels being costly is, that the exams by Cambridge are conducted two times a year and they have a specific fee structure student has to pay the fee paper-wise.
- Difference in Curriculum
The courses of o-levels are quite different from the courses of matric. The qualitative curriculum is designed in such a way that it broadens the students’ minds and capabilities. The study is based on concepts. However, the curriculum of matric is all about the cramming system following many years.
- Difference in the Grading system
O-levels follow the 6-point grading system while for matric examination percentages or numbers are based on assessment and an external checking system.
- Examination conduction
According to the British Council’s rules in Pakistan, a student can appear for their respective o-level exams Twice per calendar year. Most of the courses taught are examined either in May/June or in October/November every year. Most schools make their students appear in composite exams, which means the end-of-year exam?
But the British council allows the student to appear in parts as well. For example, three subjects in the first year and 5 subjects in the last year. Whereas the BISE has a different pattern and time slots for exam conduction.
- Skills Oriented Study
The skills offered in O levels are writing, reading, comprehension as well as logical thinking skills. The institutes focus on practicing oral skills, practical skills, problem-solving skills, imitative skills, knowledge, and understanding of skills.
- Eligibility for O level
Generally, 14 to 16-year-old students study at the O level mostly coming from the English medium schools of Pakistan. where English medium schools follow mostly Oxford syllabuses which help young students to easily fit into the O level discipline? which is significantly designed for students following international standards?
There are no basic eligibility requirements for o Levels of education in Pakistan. Yes, schools on their own develop their criteria to segregate the students, Cambridge has nothing to do with it. The primary schooling must be completed up to the 8th grade, so you can choose to pursue matriculation/ O levels, the choice is yours.
When it comes to level results, students seek good teacher guidance all the time which is why you will see students learning on their own but along with it they will consult good teachers or groups of teachers. Finding out good teachers and running after them is tiresome work.
Especially for O-A level studies, a large number of teachers are available at one place known as Nativelearners.com, even if you are not from the same city you can still have online classes or can pick their recorded classes to get help to get your good grades.
- Evaluation/Examinations
When the course O level in Pakistan is completed after studying certain credit hours of various subjects, O level exams take place. As per prescribed conditions and policies, the methods for assessing students, include written, alternative practices, as well as practical ones.
Exams revolve around 4 Assessment objectives named AO1, AO2, AO3, and AO4. All exam papers are designed to meet these assessment objectives. A six-point scale system is assigned to the student where Grade A* is the highest as well as grade E is the lowest?
Subject Details of O Levels in Pakistan
In O-Level, syllabuses were created to meet particular local needs, including minority languages. In IGCSE, a coursework choice is accessible in multiple syllabuses. It is permitting Centers a component of decision and allowing instructors to partake in the method of assessment.
During the time of 2 or 3 years, students are provided with 3 major groups of elective subjects to choose any single group for the study. However, the students must meet the needs of passing all the major subjects and the elective subjects to be qualified for the degree. Students can choose at least 5 subjects if continue their study abroad, whereas in Pakistan they have to take 8 subjects
Compulsory subjects
Following are the compulsory subjects needed to clear:
- Urdu
- Mathematics
- English
- Islamiyat
- Pakistan studies
Elective subjects
Following are the elective subjects to choose from any one group for further study.
Science Group:
- Group A: Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- Group B: Physics, Chemistry, Computer science
Commerce Group
- Group A: Principle of Accounting, Economics, Business Studies
- Group B: Principle of Accounting, Economics, Computer Science
Humanities Group
- Group A: Sociology, Fine Arts, English Literature, History
- Future of the O level in Pakistan
As soon as a student has accomplished the O Levels, they can pursue multiple opportunities for further academic training. O level in Pakistan, there are two significant paths. By taking Cambridge A-Levels as the second stage, you can follow British and international patterns.
There is also the opportunity of selecting an inter-as per the field and courses the student has selected after O-Levels or following the collegiate structure through FSC, ICS, as well as I.COM according to that field.
Significant Perks of O level in Pakistan
Universities and colleges accept the Cambridge curriculum. Besides learning and knowledge, education stimulates the student’s creativity and curiosity. A Cambridge qualification offers a great opportunity to develop an analytical, critical, as well as collaborative approach. All these skills extend beyond the classroom.
Keep in consideration that students who succeed in this course are also accepted to top international universities such as Harvard, Cambridge, and MIT. Besides these perks that O Levels educational program offers: Math D Syllabus is quite demanding and is quite beneficial over the long term for those fields. You can find a huge difference between matric math and o-level math.
- New Perspective & Conceptual studies
The candidate is allowed to examine topics from a new perspective with conceptual studies. You will benefit from Cambridge if you’re planning to study at international universities. The education system has tremendous international value.
You can consider this qualification if you intend to study abroad. However, if you plan to work locally and less on budget, you can consider the national qualification, such as a matric.
- Can O-levels convert to Matric of BISE?
Yes! You can convert your O-levels program to matric as it’s also equal to two years of matriculation. If any student of O-levels wants to be admitted to any university in Pakistan, the student can do this by an equivalence method at IBCC. Hence, the process is simply the conversion of the GCE examination into BISE standard results. What is better in Pakistan O level or Matric?
- Can Matric convert to O-level?
Yes! You can convert your matric program to o-level. But take it as advice to join o-level immediately after 8th class, because understanding the educational system and their exams methodology took time, so it’s better to join at the start rather than in between.
Hopefully, all the queries have been answered in this blog. Leave a comment if you have any questions. However, if you’re planning on studying with skills, you can choose O level in Pakistan, there’s the best chance to avail yourself of the opportunity to study abroad even after O-levels Program.