The 2026 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations will begin across Bangladesh on Thursday, July 2, with more than 1.27 million candidates expected to sit for the public examinations under enhanced security and strict examination guidelines. The examinations will continue until August 8, while practical tests must be completed by August 15.
According to the routine published by the Dhaka Education Board, examinations will be held in two shifts- from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Candidates have been instructed to take their seats in the examination halls at least 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.
This year's HSC and equivalent examinations will be conducted under the full syllabus. A total of 1,270,583 regular and irregular candidates have registered to appear in the examinations under 11 education boards at 2,697 examination centres nationwide. The nine general education boards will hold examinations using a common set of question papers.
The education boards have directed that multiple-choice (MCQ) tests will be held first, followed immediately by creative or written examinations without any break. For subjects carrying 30 marks in the MCQ section, candidates will receive 30 minutes, followed by two hours and 30 minutes for the 70-mark written portion. Separate time allocations have been fixed for subjects with practical components.
Authorities have also imposed stringent measures to ensure a fair, transparent and malpractice-free examination environment. Every examination room will have at least two invigilators, with one invigilator assigned for every 20 candidates. Seating arrangements have also been standardised to maintain adequate spacing.
To strengthen question paper security, sealed question packets will remain under treasury or police station custody until the examination day. The designated question set will only be opened after the authorised set code is received through official channels, and any deviation from the prescribed procedure will invite departmental action.
Candidates have been instructed to collect their admit cards at least seven days before the examination, correctly fill in all required information on their OMR sheets, avoid folding answer scripts, and appear only in the subjects listed on their registration cards and admit cards. They may use only non-programmable scientific calculators and ordinary wristwatches.
The education boards have also reiterated that mobile phones are strictly prohibited inside examination centres for candidates. Only the officer-in-charge of the examination centre will be permitted to use a mobile phone for official purposes.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has prohibited unauthorised entry within 200 yards of examination centres throughout the examination period. The restriction, announced through a public notice signed by the DMP Commissioner on June 29, aims to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the examinations.
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