The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations for 2026 are scheduled to begin on Thursday (July 2).
This is for the first time that students across all education boards countrywide will sit for the examinations under uniform question papers based on the full syllabus.
In order to ensure a fair, cheating-free, and secure environment, the education boards and law enforcement agencies have taken special security measures.
A total of 12,70,583 students are participating in the HSC examinations this year which are 19,472 more from the last year.
A total of 10,69,714 examinees will sit for the examinations under 9 general education boards, while 2,00,869 examinees will take part under the Madrasah and Technical Education Boards. The HSC examination will begin through the Bangla First Paper on Thursday.
This year the examinations will be held simultaneously across 2,997 centers nationwide. Of these, 145 centers have been identified as high-risk centers, and 40 of those located in Dhaka alone.
The written examinations will run from July 2 until August 8, 2026, while the practical examinations must be completed by August 15, on conclusion of the written examinations.
The morning shift examinations will take place from 10:00am to 1:00pm, while the afternoon shift from 2:00pm to 5:00pm. Candidates must enter the exam hall at least 30 minutes before the start time. During the examinations, the first 30 minutes will be allocated for the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) section, followed by 2 hours and 30 minutes for the creative/written section.
Examinees must enter the exam halls and take their seats at least 30 minutes before the start time (by 9:30am). However, exam centers will open doors for entry at 8:30am.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has banned the entry of unauthorised persons within a 200-yard radius of examination centers.
Carrying mobile phones, smartwatches, or any electronic communication devices into the examination hall is strictly forbidden.
According to the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, the introduction of a unified question paper will ensure a standardized evaluation of merit, while unprecedented security protocols have been established to completely prevent question leaks.
To ensure the smooth conduct of the HSC examination, 35 guidelines have been issued, including question paper distribution, script preservation, permission for use of calculators, and restroom searches. Only standard non-programmable scientific calculators are allowed in the hall.
Toilets will undergo regular searches to prevent hidden unauthorised materials or notes. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against anyone caught using unfair means.
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