The Primary Scholarship Examination will begin across Bangladesh on Wednesday, April 15, after a gap of nearly 15 years. The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has published the full exam schedule and detailed guidelines for candidates and officials.
According to the official schedule, the Bangla exam will take place on April 15, followed by English on April 16. Primary Mathematics is set for April 17, while Bangladesh and Global Studies, along with Primary Science, will be held on April 18. Each exam will run from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
There is a separate schedule for the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban. In these areas, Primary Mathematics will be held on April 17, and Bangladesh and Global Studies with Primary Science on April 18. Bangla will follow on April 19, and English on April 20. Exam timings in these districts will remain the same.
The ministry has also confirmed that students with special needs will receive an extra 30 minutes to complete their exams. Officials have been asked to ensure all arrangements are in place before the exams begin.
The guidelines set out strict rules for candidates. Students must enter the exam hall on time with their admit cards. Entry without an admit card will not be allowed. Candidates are also barred from bringing mobile phones, calculators, or any electronic devices into the exam hall.
Students must fill in only the required details, such as name, subject code, and roll number, on the answer sheet cover. The answer sheet must carry the invigilator’s signature, or it will be considered invalid. Writing names, symbols, or any extra marks inside or outside the answer script is strictly prohibited.
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No extra paper will be given for rough work. Students must complete rough work on the answer sheet and cross it out properly. They are not allowed to write on desks, rulers, or any other surfaces. Candidates must remain in the exam hall for at least one hour after receiving the question paper.
After the exam ends, all answer sheets must be submitted to the invigilator before leaving the hall. Authorities have also instructed students to follow all additional rules given at the centres.
Scholarships will be awarded in two categories: Talent Pool and General. The selection process will ensure equal representation of boys and girls, with 50 per cent from each group. Around 80 per cent of scholarships will go to students from government primary schools, while 20 per cent will be allocated to private school students.
The Primary Scholarship Examination was last held in 2008. In 2009, the government introduced the Primary Education Completion Examination (PEC), and scholarships were awarded based on those results.
The return of the scholarship exam marks a major shift in primary education assessment. Authorities are expected to monitor the process closely as the exams begin nationwide this week.
