Junior Scholarship Exam 2025: Board Issues 'Zero-Tolerance' Guidelines for Center Management

The Inter-Education Board has released 18 urgent directives for the Junior Scholarship Exam 2025. From 3-foot seat distancing to SMS-based question sets, get the full briefing here.

With the Junior Scholarship Exam 2025 rapidly approaching, the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee has rolled out a comprehensive set of operational directives aimed at ensuring absolute transparency and security. In a circular published on the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Education Board’s website this Sunday (December 14), authorities laid out 18 specific protocols binding upon all Center Secretaries.

The directives serve as a “Zero-Tolerance” framework, covering everything from the movement of question papers to the precise distance between examinees’ seats.

The Academic Framework: Full Syllabus & Mark Distribution

The Board has ended all speculation regarding the curriculum. The 2025 examination will strictly follow the Full Syllabus of Class 8. There will be no short syllabus or omitted chapters.

Subject-Wise Breakdown:

Core Subjects (Bangla, English, Mathematics): Each carries 100 Marks. The duration is 3 hours.
Composite Subjects (Science and BGS): These will be held in a split format. 50 Marks for Science and 50 Marks for Bangladesh & Global Studies (BGS). The time allocation is 1 hour 30 minutes for each segment.

High-Security Protocols for Question Papers

The most stringent guidelines concern the custody of exam materials. The Board has mandated a “Treasury-to-Desk” chain of custody that requires the physical presence of high-ranking officials.

Verification: Seven days prior to the exam, the question paper packets stored in the Treasury or Police Station lockers must be verified. This audit requires the presence of the Treasury Officer, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), and the Center Secretary.
The “SMS” Lock: On exam days, Center Secretaries cannot open question packets at will. They must wait for a specific SMS notification from the Board indicating which “Set Code” to use for that session. Opening the wrong set or opening it before the SMS triggers will be treated as a punishable offense.
Transport: Question papers must be transported from the Treasury to the center under police escort.

Inside the Hall: Distancing and Digital Bans

To curb malpractice, the physical layout of the exam centers is being overhauled.

3-Foot Rule: Seat plans must ensure a minimum distance of 3 feet between every candidate.
Invigilator Ratio: There must be one invigilator for every 20 students, with a mandatory minimum of two invigilators per room.
Device Ban: No one, including invigilators, is allowed to carry mobile phones or electronic devices into the hall.
- Exception: Only the Center Secretary may use a basic mobile phone (non-camera feature) for administrative coordination.

The “30-Minute” Entry Rule & Latecomers

Punctuality is now a matter of record.

Gate Closing: Students must enter the exam hall at least 30 minutes before the exam starts (i.e., by 9:30 AM).
Late Entry Protocol: If a student arrives after the deadline, they may be allowed in only under “special consideration.” However, their Roll Number and reason for delay must be logged in a Red Registry Book, which will be submitted to the Board for review.

Admit Card Distribution Deadline: December 21

For Headmasters and Principals, the immediate action item is the distribution of Admit Cards.

Download: Heads must download admit cards from their respective Board websites immediately.
Distribution: Cards must be handed over to students by December 21, 2025.
Corrections: If any errors (spelling, date of birth) are found, they must be corrected through the Board’s specific branch within 5 working days of receipt.

The circular warns that any negligence—be it a broken seal on a question packet or a disorganized seat plan—will result in direct disciplinary action against the Center Secretary.