Guidelines REGARDING subjects At O Level

At O Level each student has to read 8 subjects out of which 5 are compulsory and 3 optional. The compulsory subjects are English Language, Islamiyat, Mathematics, Pakistan Studies and Urdu. For the 3 optional subjects the guidelines are:
There are a few subjects which cannot be studied at A Level if the same have not been studied at the O Level. These include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Subjects that can be studied at the A Level without having studied at the O Level include Economics, Accounting, Computing, Law, Art & Design and Business Studies.
Selection of three optional subjects should be according to the individual needs, circumstances and aptitude. One should, however, prefer science subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Computer Studies) at the O Level which will serve the following purposes:

• Almost all options will be open to the students and they will be able to choose any subject available at the A Level.
• Even though the students decide to choose the non-science subjects at A Level (Economics, Accounting, Business Studies) they will have no problem in adjusting to these subjects as these are taught from the very beginning. Thus the students’ knowledge will be more diversified as they will have at least basic information about the science subjects.

The following information intended to help you understand regulations of IBCC which are applicable to students who wish to continue their education in a Pakistani university after their        O and A Levels. These regulations are especially important for students willing to study medical or engineering subjects after A Level.
For converting the grades of O and A Levels into F.Sc., marks an equivalence formula is used which considers 8 subjects of O Level (5 compulsory and 3 elective) and 3 A Level subjects (for humanities only 2 subjects are required at A Level). Marks are allotted according to the following criteria:

The above formula means that marks secured in a subject of O or A Level carry equal weight so students must show good performance in all the subjects at both levels to score well.
Students can improve their marks by reappearing in a subject (with a poor grade) but that has to be done within one year of first entry, however, equivalence issued once will not be changed.
A student failing in any of the 5 compulsory subjects (already explained) is not eligible to receive equivalence certificate and cannot continue his/her education in Pakistan after A Level.