Government mulls central entry test for all universities

The government of Bangladesh is considering the introduction of a central admission test for both public and private universities from next year in order to ease the enrolment process for new students as well as the financial burden on their parents, writes Mamun Abdullah for Dhaka Tribune.

The central entry test is likely to be similar to the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Graduate Record Examinations or medical admission tests of the country, a top government official recently told Dhaka Tribune. Cluster admission tests will continue to be held this year, the official added.

The issue was discussed in a views exchange meeting between the Ministry of Education, the vice-chancellors of public universities and the University Grants Commission last week. Challenges of cluster admission tests and other issues related to universities were also discussed. Delays in the publication of test results, the slow admission process and seats at universities remaining vacant were some of the other major issues discussed at the meeting.
Full report on the Dhaka Tribune site