Brritto: Turning exam preparation into a gamified experience

Illustration: TBS

When Mahmudul Hasan, the founder of Brritto, first started thinking about creating an edtech platform, it was not because he was obsessed with apps or algorithms. The idea came from something much simpler and far more human.

He had noticed that students in Bangladesh were still preparing for their biggest exams (board exams and university admission tests) the same way their parents once did: surrounded by stacks of books, endless handwritten notes, and hours spent at coaching centres. 

One day, while visiting his cousin before her SSC exams, Mahmudul saw that struggle up close. "She had all the right books but was still anxious," he recalled. "She couldn't tell if she was improving or just memorising. There was no feedback, no motivation, no sense of progress." 

That visit planted a seed that sprouted into a vision — one that eventually grew into Brritto, a platform built to make learning interactive, measurable and even enjoyable. 

From gap to a gamified experience  

The inspiration behind Brritto came from recognising a glaring gap in the education system. Bangladeshi students had no shortage of textbooks or coaching centres. What they lacked was engagement in a system that made learning active and interactive instead of one-directional.  

"Learning felt static earlier," Mahmudul explained. "You read from books, but there's no instant feedback. Unless you are attending a coaching centre, you rarely know where you stand in terms of learning status. Even the most motivated students struggle to stay consistent."

Brritto set out to change that. The platform transforms exam prep into a gamified experience with flashcards, personalised tests, live exams, leaderboards, and a doubt-solving corner. Such gamified modules are available for learners preparing for SSC, HSC, university admission and jobs. 

"Our goal is simple," said Mahmudul. "Students shouldn't just study; they should engage, practise, and feel rewarded." 

Even the name carries meaning. Brritto means "circle," symbolising its 360-degree approach involving learning, study, test, feedback, motivation, and repeat.

Its mascot — a bright, brainy octopus — reflects that same idea. "An octopus is intelligent and adaptable," said Mahmudul. "That's what we want our learners to be — curious, capable, and always reaching in new directions." 

Learning by listening

From the start, Brritto has been built hand-in-hand with its users. New features have been added, taking students' feedback into account.  

The app began with a library of 200,000 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), all verified from trusted sources. Today, that number exceeds 300,000. "Our live exam feature wasn't even in the original plan," Mahmudul said with a smile. "Students asked for it — they wanted the pressure and excitement of real-time competition. We built it, and it's now one of our most-loved features."

When success stories speak

Perhaps the most powerful validation comes from the students themselves.

One recent SSC candidate, who used Brritto daily, topped the Dhaka Board. "He told us he didn't feel alone anymore," Mahmudul shared. "For him, Brritto became a companion, not just an app."

All the platform's top scorers in live exams went on to earn GPA 5 in their real SSC results. HSC and university admission candidates have echoed similar success stories — all pointing to one thing: when learning feels rewarding, consistency follows.

"These stories remind us why we built Brritto," Mahmudul said. "When students can feel the progress, they start enjoying the process — and that's the real win."

Behind the scenes: The tech challenge

Building Brritto wasn't just about design and motivation — it required deep technical ingenuity. 

"Our team had to digitise four decades of academic contents from Lecture Publications, one of Bangladesh's most trusted academic book publishers. All their materials were in an old format. We had to convert everything into Unicode so it would work on modern systems. It took time, patience and creativity."

Mahmudul Hasan, Founder, Brritto

The team had to digitise four decades of academic contents from Lecture Publications, one of Bangladesh's most trusted academic book publishers. "All their materials were in an old format," said Mahmudul. "We had to convert everything into Unicode so it would work on modern systems. It took time, patience, and creativity."

Equations broke, fonts misfired, and diagrams disappeared mid-conversion. The team responded by developing in-house tools and experimenting with AI automation to fix errors at scale.

But perhaps the bigger challenge wasn't technical — it was cultural. "We're introducing a new habit," Mahmudul said. "We're asking students to prepare through an app daily — to shift from passive reading to active learning."

Quality, verified

When exams can define futures, accuracy becomes paramount. Every MCQ on Brritto aligns with the national curriculum and goes through rigorous expert review. If a student flags an error, it's treated with due diligence. "We fix it immediately," said Mahmudul.

The platform also offers round-the-clock mentor support. "Whether it's midnight or early morning, there's always someone there to help," he added.

Smart metrics, real impact

Brritto doesn't measure success through downloads or log-ins. It focuses on outcomes — test improvements, topic mastery, and progress consistency.

Their metrics span three pillars. First, educational outcomes — how much a student improves across tests and subjects; second, engagement — daily activity, streaks, and time spent learning; and third, business health — user retention, conversions, and platform stability.

"If our users are improving, engaging, and recommending us, we know we're on the right path," Mahmudul said.

Access for all

Accessibility lies at the heart of Brritto's model. Through its partnership with Lecture Publications, every printed book now comes with a QR code that unlocks free digital access.

"This bridges the gap between traditional and digital learning," Mahmudul explained. "Even students in rural areas can access quality resources through a book they are buying."

Brritto follows a freemium model — basic features are free, while live exams and premium content are affordably priced. "We prioritise reach over revenue," said Mahmudul. "That means slower profit growth, but faster educational impact."

Standing out in a crowded market

As new learning apps flood the market, Brritto's strength lies in its credibility and completeness.

"Our partnership with Lecture gives us four decades of academic trust," said Mahmudul. "And unlike others who focus on one segment, Brritto supports learners from school to university — and beyond."

In essence, Brritto isn't just a test-prep tool. It's a lifelong learning companion.

When asked about the next chapter, Mahmudul's answer was immediate: "We want to be part of every student's daily routine."

The vision is clear — to make learning as natural as checking your phone. In the next decade, Brritto hopes to evolve into an everyday learning partner and a gamified motivator through streaks and challenges where there will be a complete circle of study, testing, and feedback. Bridging the gap between urban and rural learners is the vision Brritto is sticking to for the time being. 

"Our dream is to reach every student, from city centres to remote villages," Mahmudul said. "Because education should be an opportunity open to everyone — not a privilege."

As Brritto continues to grow, that image of an anxious student surrounded by piles of books feels increasingly like a relic of the past. In its place stands a new generation of learners — connected, confident, and ready.

And in this new Brritto — this full circle of learning — studying is no longer a burden. It's a journey worth taking.