The decision to hold Dhaka University (DU) and Jagannath University (JnU) admission tests on the same day has led to heavy traffic congestion, making it difficult for candidates to reach their exam centres on time.

Since 8:00am, gridlock has paralysed Gulistan, Paltan, Sadarghat, and surrounding areas of Old Dhaka. Many students were forced to walk long distances to their centres, with some reporting that the stressful journey affected their mental state and potentially hampered their performance.

DU's Science Faculty 'A' Unit admission test was held at three centres -- Govt. Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Govt. Kabi Nazrul College, and Mahanagar Mohila College --drawing thousands of candidates and worsening the congestion on the busy roads surrounding the centres.

Meanwhile, JnU's 'B' unit admission test, conducted in three shifts from 10:00am, saw around 43,000 candidates sit for the exam.

Nazmul, a candidate from Uttara, said he had to walk from Gulistan to his exam centre due to the traffic.

For Rumi Khatun, who travelled from Ray Shaheb Bazar, it took 25 minutes by rickshaw to reach her centre -- longer than it would have taken if she took a walk.

Guardians also faced immense difficulties. Sajjad Hossain, who travelled from the airport area with his son, said they were stuck in Gulistan's traffic for nearly an hour and a half.

He said he was worried whether thay would reach the centre in time for the examination in the afternoon.

This year, JnU has resumed its own admission test after four years. A total of 42,974 candidates are appearing for the 'B' unit exam, competing for just 785 seats—making it a highly competitive test with 55 students vying for each seat.