The HSC Exam this year has revealed an alarming trend that demands our immediate attention: nearly 36% of registered students chose not to appear for their examinations. This represents a significant increase from last year when the non-participation rate stood at just over 29%. Indeed, out of the 1,250,583 students registered across nine general education boards, a substantial portion remained absent from examination halls. We recognize this growing concern extends beyond mere statistics, as it reflects deeper systemic challenges within our education framework. Additionally, understanding the hsc exam routine 2025 and hsc 2026 exam date becomes crucial as we analyze participation patterns. Through this article, we will explore the underlying reasons behind this dropout phenomenon, notably examining what factors contribute to such widespread absenteeism during these critical examinations.
36% of Registered Students Skip HSC 2026 Exam
Approximately 1.5 million students who passed the SSC and equivalent examinations in the 2024-25 academic year registered for Class XI. Of these registered students, only around 950,000 completed examination forms for the HSC exam, meaning approximately 550,000 regular students are not sitting for the tests. This translates to a dropout rate of 36.43%, marking a seven percentage point increase from last year.
The dropout patterns vary significantly across different education boards. Under the nine general education boards, 1,186,461 students registered in Class XI during 2024-25. Among them, 794,477 students completed examination registration, while 391,984 did not. Consequently, 33.04% of regular students under general education boards are not appearing for this year’s examinations, up from around 27% last year.
The Madrasa Education Board registered 139,929 students in the first year of the Alim program. Of these, 78,269 students registered for examinations, while more than 61,000 students did not. As a result, 44.07% of regular Alim students are not appearing for examinations this year, compared with about 39% in the previous year[13].
The Bangladesh Technical Education Board recorded the highest non-participation rate. Out of 165,542 students enrolled in Class XI (Vocational), only 75,197 completed examination registration, while 90,345 students did not. Therefore, 54.58% of regular vocational students are not taking this year’s examinations, a sharp increase from approximately 40% last year[13].
Why Are Students Not Appearing for HSC Exam?
Educators and college principals point to a combination of academic, social and economic factors driving this trend. Child marriage continues as a major challenge, particularly for female students. An analysis by the Dhaka Education Board found that among absentee students, nearly 41% had married. Education Adviser Prof. Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar emphasized that combating child marriage requires collective social responsibility, stating that families, communities and teachers must act with awareness to ensure girls stay in school.
Failure in selection examinations emerges as another significant barrier. Professor Chanowara Sultana, principal of Bhawal Badre Alam Government College, explained that students who fail multiple subjects in the selection examination are often not allowed to complete examination forms because institutions fear they may not pass the final examinations. ABM Ismail Hossain Khan, principal of Gazipur Government Women’s College, confirmed that failing the test examination represents the most common reason students cannot complete form fill-up.
Financial hardship prevents some students from taking examinations, as families struggle to pay examination fees and related expenses. Student dropout after admission plays a major role as well. Many students lose contact with their colleges after registration, with some leaving studies to join the workforce while others move abroad for employment. Gazipur Additional Deputy Commissioner Rakibul Hasan noted that lack of awareness among students and parents, poor academic performance and child marriage all contribute to the problem.
HSC Exam 2026 Details and Security Measures
The HSC exam commenced on July 2, 2026, with 1,270,583 candidates appearing across 2,697 examination centers nationwide. Under the nine general education boards, 1,069,714 students registered, while 92,905 students sat for Alim examinations under the Bangladesh Madrasa Education Board and 107,964 appeared for HSC Vocational examinations under the Bangladesh Technical Education Board. Students from 9,439 educational institutions participated in the examinations.
For the first time, all nine general education boards conducted examinations using uniform question papers. CCTV cameras were installed at every examination center, feeding into a central monitoring cell at the Ministry of Education that enabled real-time observation of any center across the country[183]. Police officers deployed at centers carried body-worn cameras to prevent irregularities and unauthorized entry.
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon warned that legal action would be taken under the Cyber Security Act against anyone spreading misinformation about question paper leaks on social media[212]. The government prepared three sets of question papers to handle any emergency situation. Among the candidates, 621,969 were male and 648,614 were female.
Authorities identified 145 examination centers as vulnerable, with 40 located in Dhaka. The Dhaka Metropolitan Police banned unauthorized public entry within 200 yards of HSC exam centers.
The 36% absenteeism rate signals an urgent educational crisis that we cannot ignore. Child marriage, examination failures, and financial constraints primarily drive this alarming trend. While authorities have responded with enhanced security measures and uniform question papers, we must address the root causes. On the whole, combating this dropout phenomenon requires coordinated efforts from families, educational institutions, and policymakers to ensure every registered student completes their HSC examinations successfully.
