A stark academic performance gap has come to light as results of the NED University entrance exam revealed that many top-grade students from Sindh’s local education boards, including those with A1 grades, failed to qualify. In sharp contrast, students from Cambridge International excelled, posting the highest pass rate among all groups.

Cambridge Tops, Interior Sindh Lags Behind

NED University, one of Sindh’s most prestigious engineering institutions, conducted the first phase of its entrance test recently. The data shows clear disparities in student outcomes based on the education board they belong to.

Cambridge International students led the results, with an 89% success rate. Out of 483 Cambridge candidates, 455 passed while only 28 failed. Federal Board students followed with a 78.5% pass rate. Karachi Board students ranked third, with a solid 76.69% pass rate.

Meanwhile, students from interior Sindh boards performed poorly. Despite holding top grades, most of them could not clear the minimum 50% passing threshold required by NED University.

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Thousands Appear, But Many Fail

A total of 9,388 students appeared in the first phase of the entrance exam. Of these, 6,398 managed to pass, while 2,990 failed. This brings the overall pass rate to 68.1%.

However, the results show stark differences between regions. Karachi Board students did comparatively well. Out of 5,951 candidates, 4,564 passed, and 1,387 failed. This means a failure rate of just 23.4%, significantly lower than most interior boards.

Breakdown by Interior Boards

The situation worsens when looking at individual boards in interior Sindh:

  • Hyderabad Board: Out of 764 candidates, 406 failed—resulting in a 53.3% failure rate.

  • Larkana Board: 322 students appeared; 219 failed (68.1% failure rate).

  • Mirpur Khas: 522 took the test; 308 did not pass (59.1% failure rate).

  • Nawabshah Board: 261 participants, with 144 failures (55.2% failure rate).

  • Sukkur Board: 266 candidates, 176 failed—recording a 66.2% failure rate.

The high number of failures from these boards has raised serious concerns about the quality of education and standardization of grading systems in these regions.

Sharp Contrast Highlights Structural Issues

The contrast between Cambridge, Federal, and Karachi boards on one side, and interior Sindh boards on the other, suggests deep-rooted structural issues. While students from interior Sindh may hold A1 grades, their performance in a standardized test like NED’s entrance exam paints a different picture.

Experts argue that these discrepancies point to inflated grading practices or outdated syllabi that do not adequately prepare students for university-level testing.

Calls for Reform Grow Louder

Educational experts and analysts have urged the provincial education authorities to investigate the causes behind these results. They call for urgent reforms in curriculum, teacher training, and exam standards across Sindh’s local boards.

The gap in performance, they say, is not a reflection of students’ potential but of systemic issues that have long plagued the education sector in the province’s rural and semi-urban areas.

Some educationists are also demanding a review of board examination policies, citing that high school grades alone are no longer reliable indicators of a student’s readiness for higher education.

What’s Next for Students?

The failure of so many bright students has left families and communities in distress. Students who had secured top marks in board exams are now faced with the shock of not qualifying for a place in one of the province’s leading engineering institutions.

Many are now questioning the value of their grades and the credibility of their education boards. Others are exploring alternate options, including applying to private universities or retaking the test next year.

As the debate over educational inequality intensifies, one thing remains clear: unless reforms are implemented, the academic performance gap between boards will continue to limit opportunities for talented students across Sindh.

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