The return of school admission tests in Bangladesh

Afrina Yasin | Published: April 04, 2026 22:36:50

The foundation of a nation's education system is built within the classrooms of quality primary and secondary schools. As we know, education is the backbone of a nation. This preparation starts from these institutions. In Bangladesh, admission tests were once the standard for evaluating merit. However, following the Covid-19 pandemic and global uncertainties, a "Digital Lottery" system was introduced for several years. Now, following a policy change in 2026, the government has announced the reintroduction of admission tests for all classes, effective from the 2027 academic year. This is not just a change in procedure; it is a bold and timely step towards building a merit-based society. Educators and a large portion of parents have welcomed this return to healthy competition.
Lottery versus admission test— Why this major change: The lottery system caused a hidden stagnation in our education system over the past few years. Because it relied entirely on luck, many hardworking and talented students were denied the chance to study at their dream schools simply because "fate" was not on their side. This indirectly fostered a hopeless mentality in children. They thought that luck was more important than hard work. Furthermore, a culture of using power and money began to emerge in some cases, which was deeply discouraging.
On the other hand, an admission test reflects a student's talent, patience, and long-term preparation. It creates a standard that matches the school's environment with the student's learning capacity. Securing a seat based on merit boosts a student's confidence significantly and restores a sense of fairness and ethics. Students of a similar level develop strong bonds and a healthy competitive spirit that drives them to excel in their studies and lives.
Why admission tests are essential: Admission tests are helpful for several strong assumptions. First, it ensures proper evaluation and recognition of merit. Admission tests give bright students the chance to see the rewards of their hard work. When a student passes a competitive exam through dedicated study, they feel a sense of achievement. This prepares them mentally for future challenges like university entrance exams, medical school, or national civil service exams (BCS).
Second, admission test offers quality and balance in the classroom. If there is a huge gap in the merit levels within a single class, it becomes nearly impossible for teachers to teach effectively. The lottery brought together students with very high intellectual abilities and those who struggled with basic lessons. Admission tests create a group of students with similar potential, encouraging healthy competition and motivating teachers to provide high-quality education.
Third, admission tests develop a competitive mindset and character. Today's world is highly competitive. If a child does not face challenges early on, they may struggle to handle the pressures of professional life later. Admission tests teach children how to set goals and work with discipline and focus to achieve them. This plays a vital role in building their character.
Fouth, many parents described the lottery as a "gamble with education" because it offered no guarantee for talented children. Returning to merit-based admissions brings transparency back to the system. Parents can finally feel at peace knowing their child earned their seat through their own ability, not by chance or anyone's favour. It is a primary step towards becoming a self-reliant individual in the future.
Global research and insights: Research highlights several key reasons why selecting students based on merit is beneficial. Harvard University research shows that when a student is surrounded by peers of similar talent, their learning speed and quality improve significantly. Admission tests ensure this “peer effect”. Renowned educator of Bangladesh Professor Mohammad Kaykobad argues that when talented students are excluded by a lottery, it is a waste of national talent. He believes that without competitive platforms, the country will fall behind internationally.
Many successful education systems around the world use transparent merit-based selection. In Singapore,the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is one of the world's most successful models, determining which secondary school a student attends. This is why Singaporean students consistently top global mathematics and science rankings. In Japan and South Korea,entrance exams are part of the their culture. This "hard-work culture" and early talent evaluation have made them global leaders in technology. As for the United Kingdom, in London's prestigious grammar schools, students take the "11-Plus" exam at age 11. It is highly respected and based entirely on merit. In the neighbouring country India,the success of world-class institutions like the IITs or IIMs is built on a strong culture of entrance exams starting at the school level.
The two main arguments against admission tests are mental pressure on children and the rise of coaching businesses. However, the solution is not to stop the exams, but to make them "child-friendly". The 2027 plan focuses on testing intellectual and basic knowledge rather than rote memorisation. If the exams are creative and simple, the dependency on coaching will naturally decrease.
As Professor Emeritus Dr Manzoor Ahmed notes, neither a lottery nor an exam is a permanent solution; the ultimate goal is to make every school equally good. Until that happens, merit-based selection remains the most transparent method.
Moving toward 2041: In 2026, we must realise that while a lottery might be a temporary emergency measure, it cannot be a permanent structure for a nation. To build a "Smart Bangladesh," we need a skilled and hardworking generation. Returning to admission tests ensures justice for talented students. It will create a generation that can proudly represent the Bangladesh flag on the global stage. We must move forward by celebrating merit, as a nation without a focus on talent cannot lead the world.
The return of admission tests is the first step in setting a child's goal. It brings the education system back on track. Now, the government must ensure that these exams are modern and creative. Only then can we move from the "luck of the lottery" to a glorious, merit-driven Bangladesh. At the same time, we must all work hard to ensure that every school in Bangladesh offers quality education and is accessible to all children. Bangladesh will be a country of bright and capable people in the future.
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