Minimum score required to take MBBS, dental admission test lowered
The authorities have decided to reduce the minimum requirement score by 0.5 percent for the MBBS and dental admission test for the 2025–26 academic session.
All candidates will be given 15 extra minutes to complete the test. The admission test across Bangladesh will be held on December 12.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The test structure has also been revised, with marks redistributed to include new components assessing candidates' tendencies and human qualities.
The Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) introduced these changes in the MBBS and BDS Admission Test National Guideline for 2025–26.
According to the guideline, a candidate will be eligible if they obtain a total GPA of 8.5 in SSC and HSC examinations.
However, candidates will not be eligible if they score a GPA below 4.0 in either exam. The candidate must obtain a minimum GPA of 3.5 in Zoology.
Minimum requirement scores for foreign students have also been reduced to GPA 8.5.
The previous year's guideline set the requirement at a total GPA of 9.0 for the medical admission.
However, the requirement for candidates from disadvantaged background remains unchanged at GPA 8.0, as stated in the guidelines.
Contacted, Liaquat Hossain, registrar (acting) of BMDC, said they have decided to reduce the minimum score due to poor results in this year's HSC exam.
"If we remained rigid, the number of eligible candidates would come down sharply. Besides, seats of many private medical colleges will remain vacant," he told The Daily Star today.
Asked whether they took the decision following anyone's appeal or demand, he said: "No. We have decided on our own."
The pass rate for HSC examinations has suffered a steep fall to 57.12 percent this year, the lowest in 21 years.
Replying to another question, the BMDC registrar said they had discussed the issue of minimum requirements for candidates from backward sections but decided to keep it unchanged. "The matter can be re-evaluated later," he added.
According to the guideline, 100 marks test and pass mark at 40 will remain the same but the test will include new components assessing candidates' tendencies and human qualities.
As per the previous guideline, 30 marks were stipulated for Zoology, 25 for Chemistry, 20 for Physics, 15 for English and 10 for General Knowledge.
But the new guideline redistributed the marks as 30 for Zoology, 25 for Chemistry, 15 for Physics, 15 for English and 15 for General Knowledge, Tendencies and Human qualities.
Candidate will get one hour and 15 minutes for the test, which was one hour last year.
Asked about the reason, Liaquat Hossain said that both the MBBS and BDS exams will be based on the same question paper, and some changes have been made to its structure, which led to the decision to allow additional time.
The authorities have increased the number of seats for foreign students by eight. All eight additional seats have been designated for students from Bhutan.
The MBBS admission test for the previous session was held on January 17 this year, and the BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) test on February 28. Authorities have decided to take both tests on same day and brought forward the entrance exams as the general election is expected in February 2026, officials said.
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