Additional Subjects Examination Policy 2026 & Onward – Complete Guide for Matric & Intermediate Students

Additional Subjects Examination Policy 2026, officially released by educational boards. The Additional Subjects Examination is an important opportunity provided by Punjab Boards for students who wish to add new subjects, change their academic group, or meet eligibility requirements for higher studies. Under the updated examination framework (2026 & onward), students can appear in additional subjects at both SSC (Matric) and HSSC (Intermediate) levels by following prescribed rules and procedures.

This article explains the eligibility criteria, attempts, subject change rules, practical requirements, and board-wise applicability in simple terms.

What Is an Additional Subjects Exam?

An additional subjects exam allows a candidate to appear in one or more subjects that were not offered previously in their SSC or HSSC examination. After qualifying, the candidate is issued a separate certificate confirming the additional subject(s).

Eligibility Criteria for Additional Subjects

A candidate may appear in additional subject(s) if:

• He/she has already passed SSC or HSSC from a recognized board.
• The examination is taken from the same Board from which the candidate appeared previously.
• The application is submitted on the prescribed form with the prescribed fee.
• The candidate has not yet taken a higher examination (where applicable).

📌 If a candidate appears in more than one additional subject, passing all subjects is mandatory.

Number of Attempts Allowed

• A candidate appearing in additional subjects is entitled to the same number of attempts as a regular candidate.
• These attempts may be availed in 1st Annual and 2nd Annual examinations.

Appearing in HSSC Subjects with Practical

If a candidate wants to appear in an HSSC subject that includes practical work (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry):

• The candidate must take regular admission in a board-affiliated institution.
• He/she must attend classes, perform laboratory work, and complete all practical requirements.
• The institution will forward the candidate’s registration and admission as a regular student.
• The candidate must appear in both Part-I and Part-II of the subject in the current course, if the subject was not offered previously.

Changing Group or Major Through Additional Subjects

One of the most important uses of additional subjects is changing academic group or major.

Biology to Engineering Group

• A student who completed Intermediate with Biology but now wants to pursue Engineering can appear in Additional Mathematics.
• After passing Mathematics as an additional subject, the student becomes eligible for engineering-related admissions, subject to university criteria.

Engineering to Medical/Biology Side

• Similarly, a student from the Engineering or Pre-Engineering group may appear in Biology as an additional subject to move towards medical, biological, or life sciences fields.

📌 This flexibility helps students correct earlier subject choices without repeating the entire Intermediate examination.

Important Rules & Restrictions

• Additional subjects are allowed before appearing in a higher examination.
• On qualifying additional subject(s), improvement of marks is not allowed.
• The result of additional subjects does not replace previous subjects; it is issued as a separate certificate.

Boards Where This Policy Is Applicable

This policy applies to all nine Boards of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) in Punjab:

1. BISE Lahore
2. BISE Gujranwala
3. BISE Rawalpindi
4. BISE Multan
5. BISE Bahawalpur
6. BISE Faisalabad
7. BISE Sargodha
8. BISE Dera Ghazi Khan
9. BISE Sahiwal

Each board follows the same Punjab Boards framework, though application schedules may vary.

Who Should Consider Additional Subjects?

• Students planning a career change
• Candidates who missed an important subject earlier
• Students aiming to meet university admission requirements

Candidates seeking better academic flexibility