DU brings up changes in admission test pattern

The Dhaka University authorities have brought up changes in the admission test pattern this year splitting the question paper into two – written and MCQs.

The admission seekers will have to take a written test on short questions along with Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) separately. Earlier, the MCQ test was the only way to assess the merit of students for admission into the university.

More than one source at the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the University of Dhaka informed the reporter about this change in the admission tests.

Dhaka University’s three deans and several officials involved with the admission process said the new method of the admission test was discussed at a dean’s meeting on 3 July.

The deans split the upcoming admission test question paper into short questions for the written test and MCQs. They decided to keep 60 marks for MCQs and 40 marks for the written examination.

The admission seekers will take 40 minutes for MCQs and 50 minutes for the written test.

The authorities have also revised the value of the results of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). The value of results of the previous two public examinations has been lifted from 80 to 100 marks.

The formal declaration on the new pattern of the admission test will be made public soon after taking permission from the admission committee of the university.

Professor Shibli Rubayetul Islam of the business faculty said, "You cannot examine the ‘actual merit’ of a student only through MCQs. Written test is a good option. That is why written tests will be taken along with MCQs."

University administration sources said Dhaka University has 84 departments which have a total of 7,630 seats. The admission tests of departments are processed through five units.

The application for next year’s admission will open online on 5 August and will continue till 27 August.

The last date of depositing money is scheduled to end on 28 August. The authorities have set Tk 450 for a single form.

The admission test of the ‘Ga’ unit is scheduled to be held on 13 September, the ‘Ka’ unit on 20 September , the ‘Kha’ unit on 21 September, ‘Gha’ unit examination on 27 September while ‘Cha’ unit’s test on 14 September (general knowledge) and on 28 September (drawing).

*This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo print, has been rewritten in English by Toriqul Islam.