Entry tests for medical, dental colleges to be held on same day

Admission tests for medical and dental colleges across Bangladesh will be held on the same day, December 12, using the same question paper.

The health ministry took this decision at a meeting yesterday, chaired by Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum.

"Admission tests for MBBS and BDS will be on the same day with the same question paper," Mollika Khatton, joint secretary (medical education) of the Medical Education and Family Planning Division, told The Daily Star today.

Earlier on October 6, the division had decided that MBBS entrance examinations for the 2025–26 session would be held on December 12.

The meeting also endorsed some changes to the question paper this year, to asses human quality and critical thinking. However, the marks and MCQ format will remain unchanged, officials said.

The MBBS admission test for the previous session was held on January 17, and the BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) test on February 28. Authorities have brought forward the entrance exams as the general election is expected in February 2026, officials said.