HSC, equivalent exams begin today

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent exams for 2024, except for students in the Sylhet division, are set to begin today (June 30).

For the Sylhet division only, the government has postponed the exams by until July 8 due to flooding. However, the education minister said the exams in the division will begin from July 9 following the previous routine.

A total of 1,450,790 examinees from 9,463 educational institutions under 11 education boards -- nine general education boards, one madrasah board and one technical education board -- will take part in exams at 2,725 centres.

Of the total candidates, 750,281 are male and 700,509 female.

The exams will commence with Bangla 1st paper while the written examinations will continue till August 11.

The practical examinations will be held between August 12 and August 21.

A total of 1,128,281 examinees of 4,870 general educational institutions under nine general education boards will appear in the examinations at 1,566 centres this year. Of the candidates, 533,680 are male and 594,601 female.

Some 88,076 students of 2,685 educational institutions will appear in the Alim examinations under the madrasah board at 452 centres.

As many as 234,433 candidates from 1,908 educational institutions will participate in HSC (BM/BMT) HSC (Vocational)/Diploma in Commerce (Technical) Board examination at 707 centres this year.

Compared to last year, the total number of examinees in 2024 has increased by 91,448. The numbers of institutions and centres increased by 294 and 67 respectively.

Aiming to ensure a fair examination environment free from any question leak, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury has ordered the authorities concerned to close all coaching centres for the period from June 29 to August 11.

The Ministry of Education has issued several guidelines ahead of the HSC examinations.

Candidates must enter exam centres at least 30 minutes before beginning of the exam and those who will enter late should write reasons in a register and report to the board on the same day.

The question paper set code will be sent via SMS 25 minutes before start of the exams.

Only authorised personnel can carry mobile phones/electronic devices into the centres but their phones should not have any camera feature.

Only people concerned who are directly involved with the examination such as examinees, invigilators, ministry and board inspection teams and security personnel can enter the exam centres.

Special arrangements have been made for specially-abled candidates.

Visually impaired candidates, especially those with cerebral palsy, and candidates without hands may have a scribe to assist with them during the exam, with an additional 20 minutes.

Candidates with autism, down syndrome, or cerebral palsy may receive support from teachers, parents, or helpers.

Extra 30 minutes may be given in such cases.