Implementation of the School Based Assessment (SBA) 2026 for Grade 1 is a crucial exercise managed by the Punjab Education Curriculum, Training and Assessment Authority (PECTAA). Intended to replace rote memorization, this assessment zeroes in on understanding basic numeracy and the practical use of mathematical concepts in a child’s everyday life.
Key Information: SBA 2026 Grade 1
As for the year 2025–2026, all final term examinations are organized in an orderly manner with special oral/written hybrid structure designated for younger students.
| Feature, | Details |
| Exam Date, | “March 16, 2026 (Monday)” |
| Authority, | PECTAA (formerly PEC) |
| Assessment Mode, | Primarily Oral with basic writing components |
| Target Skills, | “Number sense, basic operations, and shape recognition” |
Syllabus and Core Topics
The Grade 1 Mathematics SBA covers the complete academic calendar, emphasizing the following core domains:
Numbers & Counting:
- Counting forwards and backwards (1–100).
- Writing number names and symbols (up to 50 or 100).
- Identifying “greater than,” “less than,” and “equal to.”
Basic Operations:
- Addition and subtraction of single-digit and basic double-digit numbers.
- Concept of “zero” and number bonds.
Measurement & Time:
- Recognizing days of the week and months of the year.
- Basic units of length (long/short) and mass (heavy/light).
Geometry & Space:
- Identification of 2D shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle).
- Position vocabulary (on top of, under, left, right, behind).
SBA 2026 Paper Pattern for Grade 1
Unlike the other grades, the grade 1 assessment is child-friendly and aims to alleviate “exam stress.”
- Oral Questions: Number–Shapes test for verbal number and shape recognition mental math rubrics_MA verbally identifies(indices) provided shapes/number lists by teachers.
- Written Tasks: Simple MCQs, CRQs e.g “fill in the blanks”, “match the following”
- Bilingual Format: All papers are made available in both English and Urdu to ensure that students can understand the questions in their preferred medium of instruction.
Grading System
PECTAA uses a standardized grading formula for all SBA 2026 results:
| A+: | 80% and above |
| A: | 70% – 79% |
| B: | 60% – 69% |
| C: | 50% – 59% |
| D: | 40% – 49% |
| E: | 33% – 39% (Minimum passing criteria) |
Preparation Tips for Parents and Teachers
- Use Visual Aids: Practice addition and subtraction using beads or blocks, or flashcards.
- Daily Drills: Oral counting and mental math questions (for example, What comes after 19?).
- Focus on Vocabulary: Make sure the child understands words like “between,” “altogether” and “remaining.”
- Review Model Papers: The model papers provided by IBS should be used for the child to understand the format of the paper.