School admission tests may begin in first week of December

Admission tests for students seeking places in Classes II to IX may begin in the first week of December under a proposed plan being prepared by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE).

The plan, which has not yet been finalised, would divide applicants into two groups. Students seeking admission to Classes II to V would take a 50-mark test, while those applying to Classes VI to IX would sit for a 100-mark test.

Speaking to The Daily Campus, DSHE Director General Prof Dr Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel said discussions had been held on the proposal, but a final decision had not been made.

“Some issues have been discussed initially. However, these have not been finalised yet. DSHE will soon send a proposal to the Education Ministry. If the ministry approves the proposal, the admission policy will be issued.”

According to DSHE sources, both groups would be tested in Bangla, English and Mathematics.

For Classes II to V, Bangla and English would each carry 15 marks, while Mathematics would carry 20 marks. The test would last one hour.

For Classes VI to IX, Bangla would carry 30 marks, English 30 and Mathematics 40. The test would be two hours long.

Schools to conduct tests

Under the proposal, individual schools would conduct their own admission tests within a timeframe set by the authorities.

A DSHE official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said schools would have flexibility in conducting the tests, similar to the admission processes followed by Notre Dame College and Holy Cross College.

“Schools will conduct the tests on their own. We will set a timeframe. The tests must be completed and students admitted within that period. Schools will conduct the tests in the same way that Notre Dame or Holy Cross conducts theirs.”

The official said the collection of information on vacant seats is expected to be completed by November.

“The process of collecting information on vacant seats will be completed by November. After that, the plan is to set the examination period from the first week of December and complete the admission process in the second half of December. The issues will be finalised subject to approval from the Education Ministry.”

The proposed schedule and admission process will take effect only after approval from the Education Ministry.