We are affiliated with the Aga Khan University Examination Board (AKU-EB) which is a Pakistani educational system founded in 2003 by the Aga Khan University, operating under the Government of Pakistan’s Ordinance CXIV. It offers three education programmes: Middle School Programme (MSP), Secondary School Certificate (SSC), and Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC).
How does the AKU-EB Curriculum Enhance Conceptual Learning and Lifelong Skills?
The AKU-EB curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of Pakistan. It emphasises conceptual learning over rote memorisation and is tailored for Pakistani students.
It essentially mirrors the Class 9 and 10 National Curriculum with additional content designed to enhance learning. It recommends suitable textbooks for students to purchase, along with supplementary texts for school libraries. It also encourages educators to collaborate on creating educational resources and activities for students.
The SLOs are classified under the following cognitive levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy: Remember (R), Understand (U), Apply and beyond [Apply (A), Analyse (An), Evaluate (E), Create (C)].
This examination syllabus brings together all those cognitive outcomes of the National Curriculum which can be reliably and validly assessed. Although the cognitive domain is the main focus, application of knowledge and understanding is given special attention. This is because it is a crucial activity in developing attitudes appropriate for contributing to society and maintaining peace, as well as the skills and dedication to lifelong learning.
What is the Assessment Philosophy of the AKU-EB?
The Aga Khan University Examination Board upholds three core principles as international standards for high-quality assessments, aiming for validity, reliability, and fairness in its results.
Validity ensures that examination content aligns with the respective syllabi, assessing students’ acquired knowledge and skills comprehensively.
Reliability is maintained through technology-based scoring methods for Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and an e-marking system for Constructed Response Questions (CRQs) and Extended Response Questions (ERQs), ensuring impartiality and consistency in grading.
Fairness dictates that grading must be free from personal bias and discrimination based on gender, location, or socio-economic background.
How many Examinations are there in Total?
Students take examinations in eight subjects over the course of two years, i.e., Years 9 and 10. The two examination sessions are SSC I and SSC II. As per the revised structure introduced in 2025, students will appear for seven subjects in SSC I and eight subjects in SSC II. However, starting next year, SSC II will also include only seven subjects.
Which Subjects does AKU-EB Offer?
AKU-EB offers a choice of fifteen elective subjects at the SSC level. Students are required to take examinations for four compulsory and three elective subjects over a period of two years.
Compulsory Subjects
1. English
2. Urdu Compulsory OR Urdu Asaan and Sindhi: Candidates from the province of Sindh may appear for Urdu Asaan in SSC Part I and Sindhi in Part II examinations.
OR History and Geography of Pakistan: Foreign candidates may opt for History and Geography of Pakistan in lieu of Urdu Compulsory, subject to the Examination Board’s approval.
3. Islamiyat OR Ethics: for Non-Muslim candidates in lieu of Islamiyat OR Pakistan Studies
4. Pakistan Studies
5. Mathematics (for science group candidates) OR General Mathematics (for humanities group candidates)
Elective Subjects (Science)
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology OR Computer Science
Elective Subjects (Humanities)
- Geography
- General Science
- Civics
- History of Pakistan
- Food & Nutrition
- Environmental Studies
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Elements of Home Economics
- Art & Model Drawing
- Business Studies
- Principles of Accounting
Additional Subjects: Offered only in the May Examination Session
Literature in English
Additional Mathematics
What is the Fee Structure of the AKU-EB?
Given below is the 2025 examination fee structure:
SSC Part 1
Science: Rs. 21,800 (for ALL subjects)
Humanities: Rs. 18,000 (for ALL subjects)
SSC Part 2
Science: Rs. 18,800 (for ALL subjects)
Humanities: Rs. 15,100 (for ALL subjects)
Are there any Deductions if a Student Switches her Board in College?
No, there are no deductions if a student switches her board in college for HSSC part 1.
The Education and Literacy Department, Government of Sindh, has introduced an E-Centralized College Admission Programme for admissions in all government colleges of Sindh. AKU-EB candidates who seek admission in government colleges need to apply a formula for conversion of marks, as the maximum overall marks awarded by AKUEB are out of 1100 and the required marks are out of 850.
Use this formula: Marks Obtained (as mentioned on the result slip) x 850 / 1100.
The Percentage and grade of a student remains unchanged after using the above formula.
Does the PECHS Girls’ School intend to offer Cambridge Board Exams in the Future?
No, the PECHS Girls’ School does not intend to offer Cambridge Board exams as we are very satisfied with our affiliation with the AKU-EB which goes back to the year 2011. We believe that the AKU-EB best aligns with our education philosophy and pedagogy. We focus on raising Pakistani citizens who will serve their country and give back to their communities. We also focus on concept-based learning and strive to develop critical thinking and problem solving in our students. AKU-EB best supports us in keeping our vision alive.
In addition to this, we find the examination fee is very affordable (unlike the Cambridge Board) which the majority of our parents can easily afford.
We are very satisfied with the assessment and result processes. AKU-EB ensures fairness and transparency in assessments and results by using a special seeding process and e-marking software. These methods keep students’ identities anonymous to markers and uphold transparency, empowering students to receive the grades they rightfully deserve.
Our results over the past few years have been exceptional; receiving only A-1s and As and we have also bagged some Provisional and National positions.
Please have a Look at our Overall Result for the Year 2024
SSC Part 1 (Year 9) AKU-EB Result Summary
| Achievement Record | ||||||
| Year | Group | Total Number of Students | A-1 | A | B | C |
| 9 | Biology Group | 54 | 52 | 2 | – | – |
| 9 | Computer Science Group | 16 | 15 | 1 | – | – |
| 9 | Humanities Group | 20 | 17 | 3 | – | – |
Year 9: Distinctions Received in the AKU-EB Exams
| Year | Student’s Name | Group | Subject | Marks Obtained | Percentage |
| 9 | Syeda Fatima Zehra | Biology Science | Physics | 75 out of 75 | 100 |
| 9 | Syeda Fatima Zehra | Biology science | Biology | 75 out of 75 | 100 |
| 9 | Maira Iqbal | Humanities | Economics | 73 out of 75 | 97.3 |
| 9 | Khizra | Humanities | Business Studies | 74 out of 75 | 98.6 |
SSC Part II (Year 10) AKU-EB Result Summary
| Achievement Record | ||||||
| Year | Group | Total Number of Students | A-1 | A | B | C |
| 10 | Biology Group | 49 | 48 | 1 | – | – |
| 10 | Computer Science Group | 13 | 13 | – | – | – |
| 10 | Humanities | 17 | 16 | 1 | – | – |
Year 10: Distinctions Received in the AKU-EB Exams
| Year | Student’s Name | Group | Subject | Marks Obtained | Percentage |
| 10 | Haniya Abdul Mateen | Computer Science | Mathematics | 150 out of 150 | 100 |
| 10 | Subata Fatima | Humanities | Economics | 143 out of 150 | 95.3 |
| 10 | Rameen Najam | Humanities | General Mathematics | 148 out of 150 | 98.6 |
Position
| Year | Student’s Name | Group | Position | Level | Percentage |
| 10 | Subata Fatima | Humanities | First | Provincial | 88.5 |
Do AKU-EB Students get Admission to Government Colleges?
Students who have passed out from our School have got admissions in both Private and Government Colleges. They are able to meet all the criteria for admissions in colleges, whether it is an aptitude test or interview.
The number of seats available in Government Colleges is based on a quota system. Seats are assigned to a Board based on the number of students enrolled in that Board.
Our students generally continue with AKU-EB in college, although in some instances have changed to the Sindh Board or Cambridge Board. In such cases, admission have been easy.
Our students who have passed out studying with the AKU-EB have got admissions in the best universities in Karachi and other cities, such as, IVS, IBA, SMC, DMC, Dow, CBM, LUMs.
Our students excel across various professions, thanks to their strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, essential for success in today’s world. They’re on par with students from other Boards.