Bangladesh restores admission tests for government school classes 2 to 9

Bangladesh will restore written admission tests for classes 2 to 9 in government secondary schools from the 2027 academic year, ending lottery-based selection for those grades.

The Secondary and Higher Education Division announced the policy Tuesday. Class 1 admissions will continue through a digital lottery, with applicants allowed to choose up to five schools.

Tests for classes 2 to 5 will last one hour and carry 50 marks. Classes 6 to 9 will have two-hour tests worth 100 marks. Both will cover Bangla, English, and mathematics using national textbooks.

Admissions will depend on merit and available seats. In Dhaka, 40% of places will be reserved for children living in designated nearby areas. No section may exceed 55 students.

Application dates and examination schedules will be announced separately, The Daily Star reported.