Preparing for the BUP FBS admission test

As admission season approaches, thousands of applicants are gearing up for one of the country's most competitive Business school entrance exams: the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) Faculty of Business Studies (FBS) test. To understand what effective preparation actually looks like, Campus spoke with four students from BUP's Marketing, Finance and Banking, and Accounting & Information Systems (AIS) departments. Their insights paint a clear picture of the discipline, strategy, and mindset behind securing a seat at BUP's FBS.

Abid Hasan Abir and Saif Saimun, from the Department of Marketing; Saba Anila, from the Department of Finance and Banking; and Toushik Ahmed Tirtha, from AIS, each built their own paths toward the same goal, relying on routines and resources that suited their strengths and addressed their weaknesses.

Abir focused on consistency from the beginning. "After deciding to pursue a BBA in Bangladesh, I narrowed my options down to Dhaka University and BUP," he said. "I enrolled at Mentors and followed a steady routine centred on English and Math, gradually adding more time for General Knowledge (GK)." 

Abir's days were structured: morning classes at Mentors, exams for other universities in the afternoon, and revisions for the BUP admission test in the evening. Weekends were for reviewing everything learned throughout the week.

Saimun leaned heavily on targeted materials. "The Mentors Math Q Bank strengthened my basics," he said. "The Cliffs TOEFL Preparation Guide helped with grammar, WordSmart improved my vocabulary, and practising English and Math from the GRE Big Book boosted my speed and accuracy." 

For General Knowledge, Saimun relied on a blend of curated YouTube channels and established GK books. Preparing for IBA and BUP simultaneously also benefited him, thanks to overlapping exam patterns.

From Finance and Banking, Saba faced a different set of challenges. Coming from a Science background, the shift toward English and Math felt demanding. 

"English worried me the most," said Saba. "If you don't pass English, your script isn't checked." 

Saba's breakthrough came when she simplified her routine. She set small, realistic goals, reduced unnecessary time spent on GK, and prioritised English and Math. In the final two weeks, she solved all unofficial BUP question banks, analysed mock mistakes, and maintained a notebook of essential points. Several of the questions she practised appeared in the final admission exam.

Tirtha, on the other hand, experienced early uncertainty. 

"It was hard to understand whether my preparation strategy was working," said Tirtha. His turning point came after speaking with a senior and reviewing past question patterns to identify frequently tested topics. His first mock score – 12 out of 80 – shook his confidence. 

"I felt like I wasn't capable enough," he said. Encouragement from a senior helped him reset his approach, and his next mock score jumped to 60 out of 80. In the final stretch, he balanced academics with mental preparation: reviewing key points, avoiding overthinking, and staying calm on exam day. His practical warning is clear: with no calculator allowed, starting with the toughest Math questions can drain time and confidence. He advises beginning with familiar sections to build momentum.

Across these four experiences, a common message emerges: effective preparation comes from steady habits, strategic material use, and emotional discipline, not shortcuts. For future applicants aiming to join BUP's FBS, these experiences offer a clear roadmap: start early, know your weak spots, practise consistently, and trust the process. Good luck!

Raiyan Bin Sarwar is a Campus Ambassador for The Daily Star From Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP).