ā ļø Last Updated: July 2026. This page is updated as Punjab Curriculum & Textbook Board (PCTB) releases official pattern notifications.
2026 ā Summary of Changes
Punjab boards announced their revised paper patterns for 2026 based on the updated PCTB curriculum framework. Here is a summary of what has changed and what remains the same.
What's Remained the Same
- Two-paper structure: Paper A (Objective/MCQ) + Paper B (Subjective)
- Paper A: 20 minutes, OMR-based, no negative marking
- Paper B: 2 hours 40 minutes, choose-and-attempt format
- Total exam duration: 3 hours
- Grade boundaries remain unchanged (A-1 = 80%+)
Notable Adjustments for 2026
| Subject / Level | Old Pattern | 2026 Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| FSc Physics (Part 2) | Numericals in Section B only | Short numericals added to Section A |
| Matric Mathematics (10th) | 2 long questions in Section B | 3 long questions, attempt 2 |
| FSc Biology (Part 1) | Standard | Diagram questions now compulsory in Section A |
*Changes listed above are indicative based on available board notifications. Always verify with your specific board's official pattern document.
How to Adjust Your Past-Paper Practice
- Always start with the most recent papers first ā 2024 and 2025 papers will reflect the closest pattern to 2026.
- Read the instructions page of each paper carefully ā the structure is listed at the top of every past paper.
- Don't be thrown off by older papers with different structures ā simply note the variation and adapt your timing.
- Practice diagram questions separately if Biology diagrams are now compulsory ā use past papers to find the most common diagrams.
ā Browse 2024ā2026 Papers (Most Current Pattern) on PaperHouse
See expected exam dates: Punjab Boards 2026 Date Sheet