Punjab Boards E-Sheet Exams: Four Science Subjects Move to E-Sheets Next Year

Matriculation and intermediate students in Punjab will soon write some science papers on a new kind of answer sheet. The province’s nine boards of intermediate and secondary education have decided to conduct examinations for four science subjects on e-sheets from next year, with answer sheets marked on screens. The Punjab e-sheet exams 2026 decision was reported on Wednesday, 11 November 2026, after a meeting of the chairpersons of all nine boards in Lahore.

For students, the change is simple: they will still write with a pen, but on a printed e-sheet instead of a traditional answer book, and their paper will be scanned and marked on screen. Lahore Board Chairman Professor Badrul Salam chaired the meeting, while the Deputy Secretary Higher Education and Lahore Board Secretary Rizwan Nazir also attended. The boards also finalised the subjects for on-screen marking in the upcoming matriculation and intermediate examinations.

What Changes for Matric and Inter Students

• A new answer sheet: Four science subjects will use e-sheets from next year, replacing traditional answer books.
• Marking moves to screens: Answer sheets will be scanned and marked on computer screens, instead of being checked by hand.
• Same paper, same syllabus: The syllabus and the questions do not change; only the answer sheet and the marking method are different.
• Bubbles, barcodes and QR codes: The e-sheet carries printed bubbles for the roll number and multiple-choice questions, with barcodes and QR codes for identification.
• More transparent marking: Professor Badrul Salam said all boards would provide a transparent, standardised and technology-based examination system.

The Decision at a Glance

The Four Subjects: What Is Known

• Not named in the announcement: The announcement did not name the four subjects, so students should wait for their own board’s list.
• Lahore board named four first: BISE Lahore had already moved first. In a letter dated 7 October 2026, it named four intermediate subjects for on-screen marking — Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and Statistics — with training workshops from 12 to 31 October 2026.
• Expansion was expected: The Express Tribune reported on 31 October 2026 that expansion was expected next year, and the Education Minister had announced on-screen assessment from 2027.
• Already running this year: E-sheets are already used for selected papers in the Intermediate Second Annual Examinations 2026, which run from 3 to 28 November 2026.
• Class 8 is already on e-sheets: ProPakistani reported on 7 November 2026 that Grade 8 students will sit four major subjects on e-sheets with online screen marking.

From Paper Checking to Screen Marking

• Write by hand as before: An e-sheet is a printed answer sheet, not an online exam. Students still write with a pen.
• Scanning after the exam: After the examination, the sheets are scanned into a digital record instead of going to examiners on paper.
• Marking on screen: Examiners then mark the scanned pages on computer screens, which lets the board monitor the marking centrally.
• New arrangements: The chairpersons discussed strengthening infrastructure, logistics and printing facilities, and forming teams to ensure uniformity, transparency and modern technology.

What Students Should Do Before the Exams

1. Keep preparing as normal: The change affects the answer sheet and the marking, not the syllabus, so students should continue their preparation unchanged.
2. Learn the e-sheet format: Read your board’s e-sheet guide before your paper, and practise filling the bubbles.
3. Protect the codes: Keep the barcodes and QR codes clear, stay within the margins, and use only the spaces given for each question.
4. Check your board’s announcements: Each board will announce its own e-sheet papers, so check your board’s website.

What Has Not Been Announced Yet

• Subject names: The four subjects were not named, and no board-wise list has been published yet.
• Exact start: Only “next year” was given, with no month or session named.
• Matric detail: It covers matriculation and intermediate examinations, but not whether all matric science papers or only selected ones will move first.
• No fee change: Nothing in the announcement mentions any change to fees, registration or date sheets.

Contact and Helpline Details

Conclusion

The Punjab e-sheet exams 2026 decision confirms that Punjab’s examination system is moving to digital marking. With all nine boards agreeing to conduct four science subjects on e-sheets from next year, students should expect the new answer sheet in their next examination cycle. The list of the four subjects is still missing, so students should keep preparing and check their board’s announcements.

FAQs

Which four science subjects will be on e-sheets?
The announcement did not name them. BISE Lahore earlier named Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science and Statistics for its intermediate first phase, but students should wait for their own board’s list.

When will the e-sheet exams start?
From next year — the 2027 examination cycle. No exact month or session has been announced.

Will matric students also write on e-sheets?
Yes, it covers matriculation and intermediate examinations, but not whether all matric papers or only selected ones will move first.

Is the e-sheet an online exam?
No. Students still write with a pen on a printed answer sheet. After the exam, the sheet is scanned and marked on a computer screen.

Do students need to pay any extra fee for e-sheets?
No fee change has been announced.