2026-27 session: No college admission tests; selection entirely based on SSC results

Highlights:

• 93% of seats open on merit, with 7% reserved for quotas
• Equal GPAs to be resolved by subject-wise total marks
• Colleges face MPO or license cancellation if they charge extra fees
• Online application window opens 2 September
• Final admissions from 20 to 22 September
• College classes begin 23 September

Students seeking admission into colleges for higher secondary education for the 2026-2027 academic session will once again be enrolled based strictly on their SSC and equivalent examination results, with no separate admission test being conducted.

The policy governing college admissions was published today (24 August), signed by ASM Shahriar Jahan, deputy secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division under the Ministry of Education.

According to the newly released policy, students who passed their SSC or equivalent examinations in the current publication year as well as the preceding two consecutive years will be eligible to apply online.

For candidates passing equivalent examinations from foreign education boards, eligibility will be determined after the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Dhaka assesses and certifies the equivalence of their certificates.

Under the seat distribution rules, 93% of total seats across colleges will remain open to all applicants and will be filled purely on merit.

However, a total of 2% of the seats will be reserved for the children of education ministry officials and employees, with 1% for personnel working directly under the Ministry of Education and another 1% for staff in its subordinate departments and agencies.

Additionally, 5% of seats have been reserved for the children of Freedom Fighters and martyred Freedom Fighters. This quota structure will apply exclusively to the 2026–2027 academic session.

In cases where multiple applicants achieve identical GPAs, merit position will be decided based on total marks obtained.

For the science group, if total marks are also equal, marks in General Mathematics and Higher Mathematics or Biology will be evaluated sequentially.

Should a tie persist, marks in English, Physics, and Chemistry will be taken into account.

For humanities and business studies groups, ties will be resolved by comparing marks in English, Mathematics, and Bangla, in that order.

The entire admission process will be conducted online.

Colleges must publicly disclose essential details, including total seats, admission fees, and minimum eligibility criteria.

Institutions are strictly prohibited from charging extra beyond authorised amounts, and private colleges must publish their complete fee breakdown -- including admission fees, monthly tuition, and other charges -- before the admission process begins.

Under the declared timeline, online applications will open on 2 September.

Results for selected candidates will be published on 17 September at 8pm, and applicants must confirm their selection by 8pm on 19 September.

Final admissions will take place from 20 to 22 September, and classes will formally commence on 23 September.

The ministry warned that non-compliance with the policy may lead to the cancellation of teaching permission, recognition, or MPO status for private colleges.

Appropriate disciplinary measures will also be taken against official personnel at government colleges in accordance with relevant rules.