The National University, an institution once synonymous with long waits and overcrowded classrooms, has just achieved something its own students can hardly believe. The results of the 2024 second-year degree and certification exams were released a mere 42 business days after the exams concluded—a radical shift the university describes as unprecedented in its history.
The results were officially published on July 11, with the approval of the Academic Council and the University Union, via a notification signed by the examinations officer, Md. Enamul Karim. In total, the process, from the final exam to the publication of the results, lasted 53 days, including an 11-day government holiday for Eid al-Azha, which coincided with the assessment period.
What the Record Actually Involved
The sheer scale of the operation makes the speed truly remarkable. The second-year degree exams were held from April 20 to May 18, 2026, with 197,615 students from 1,915 faculties across the country taking the exams at 647 centers. Each exam had to be graded, the marks recorded and verified, and the administrative approvals completed—the entire rigor of one of the world’s largest affiliated universities.
Then came the Eid holiday: 11 consecutive days with government offices closed. Under the old National University, that alone could have added a month to the timeline. This time, according to the university, exam grading, mark recording, data verification, and results preparation continued on a coordinated schedule throughout the entire process, and the results were published on time.
The published results show an average pass rate of 93.53%, and test takers can check their individual results through the university’s results website.
The Administration’s Explanation
The Vice-Rector, Professor Dr. A.S.M. Amanullah, presented the results as proof of a larger commitment. He stated that the current administration is dedicated to transforming the National University into a modern, dynamic, and student-centered institution, and that publishing accurate results within 42 business days, while maintaining maximum transparency, is a practical reflection of that commitment, based on administrative capacity and coordinated effort. He added that the provision of timely and technologically advanced services for students will continue to be promoted.
The Examinations Officer, Md. Enamul Karim, emphasized the importance of planning. He explained that every step following the exam was executed according to a fixed schedule, and that the evaluation and preparation of the results were carried out in a coordinated manner, even during the extended Eid break. He noted that he does not consider the 42-day timeframe a maximum limit: the Examinations Office, he stated, is actively working to publish results even faster in the future.
What Students Are Saying
The reaction on campuses has been a mixture of relief and disbelief. Tahmina Akter, a second-year undergraduate student at Siddheshwari College in the capital, recalled that previously students had to wait a long time for the results, whereas this time the rapid release has greatly facilitated preparation for the next academic year and planning for their studies.
Abid Islam, a student at Rajshahi College, admitted that he hadn’t imagined the results would arrive so quickly after the long Eid holiday. This time, he said, no time was lost, which makes planning for higher education and preparing for the world of work much easier.
This last point is the real reason for the celebration: for undergraduate students, many of whom juggle studies with work and family responsibilities, every month saved in the release of the results is a month gained back.
Why This Matters Beyond One Result
The National University’s long-standing reputation precedes it. For years, the university—which serves the largest student population in the country through its affiliated faculties—has faced constant criticism for overcrowded academic periods and delays in publishing results, which could extend students’ three-year degree programs to five or six years.
Education experts reacting to the 42-day result have hailed it as a potential turning point: proof that administrative will, modern technology, and efficient coordination can revitalize even the country’s largest academic bureaucracy. Several have suggested that this model should be emulated by other public universities, a milestone in providing timely service to the nation’s largest student body.
The real test, of course, is consistency. A record-breaking result is an achievement; making 42 business days the new normal for undergraduate, graduate, and master’s degree programs would be transformative. The exam office’s stated ambition to further streamline the process suggests that the university understands the difference.
Checking the Result
Second-year undergraduate students who have not yet checked their results can do so through the National University’s official results portal (results.nu.ac.bd) using their registration details. Results are also available through the university’s usual channels. As always with National University notifications, any inconsistencies in published results are subject to correction by the university.
With first-year undergraduate exams currently underway (until September 20), the university’s new agility will soon face its next challenge. We will be monitoring the results schedule and will keep you informed. Stay tuned for all the latest news from National University.
