Cambridge grading system under fire after outrage from Pakistani students

Pakistani students have slammed Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) after results for 2023 examinations came to light.

Cambridge exams were disrupted in Pakistan due to riots on May 9 and 12. However, instead of rescheduling the affected papers, Cambridge allegedly opted to allocate average marks.
The announcement of the results, on August 10, has stirred frustration among students across Pakistan, as only a small number managed to attain A and B grades. More than 45,000 students appeared in the exams.

In response, students expressed their intent to stage peaceful protests in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, to highlight what they perceive as an injustice done by Cambridge.

Outraged students have turned to social media, urging a rescheduling of the exams to provide them with a fair opportunity to showcase their capabilities and receive grades reflective of their performance.

Students took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to run an online campaign and raise their concerns regarding the issue.

X user, Muhammad Awais Sial mentioned that Cambridge graded them on components where scoring marks are inevitable.
https://twitter.com/MASial34789939/status/1690045360998322176?s=20

Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League (N), Maryam Nawaz, also expressed concerns, stating that numerous students have reached out to her. She urged the CIE to consider the conditions in which students sat during these exams while reviewing the results on fairgrounds.

Many hundreds have reached out voicing their dissatisfaction with the CIE grading this year.
It appears that the grading this year has produced unfair results which has led to severe unrest & anxiety amongst the students. Expected A*s have ended up with Cs & Es. These students…

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) August 12, 2023

Chief organiser of President Punjab PML(N), Mohammad Sarwar mentioned that he has been contacted by students who are disheartened after receiving E grades. The former chief minister of Punjab stated that he has reached out to a member of the House of Lords, Wajid Khan, for support in urging CIE to review their grading process.

I’ve been approached by countless students who sat Cambridge exams this yr highlighting overall lower grading by CIE- A* students receiving E grades is disheartening. I’ve reached out to @LordWajidKhan for support in urging CIE for fair review & reconsideration of grading process

— Mohammad Sarwar (@ChMSarwar) August 13, 2023

Activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir explained the issue in detail while demanding that “Cambridge Assessment International Education and British Council Pakistan needs to provide details and transparency in the mechanism adopted this year and it must ensure that students of Pakistan did not suffer in particular due to some discriminatory or flawed policy.”

Understanding the controversy around #Cambridge exams grades this year:

– There are three categories of students who are complaining about their grades:

i) Those who missed some components of a subject due to exam cancellation between
10th and 12th May due to political unrest… https://t.co/yW9oPNja7K

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) August 13, 2023

Addressing the concerned Cambridge students, Uzma Yousuf, the Country Director for CAIE Pakistan, stated, “Cancelling the exams on 10, 11 and 12 May has been a difficult decision for the British Council. Your safety and well-being come first, and that’s why this decision was taken.”

She further added, “Our team is continuously monitoring the situation, and we will keep you updated as we have more information. We are completely committed to providing a safe and secure environment for you to sit for your exams.”