The Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board released the subject-wise question pattern and marks distribution for the Junior Scholarship Examination 2025, in line with a directive from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).

According to the announcement, the examination will cover five subjects: Bangla, English and Mathematics (100 marks each), and Science, Bangladesh and Global Studies (50 marks each), totalling 400 marks. Each paper will be of three hours’ duration.

The announcement follows the Junior Scholarship Policy 2025, issued on 3 September by the Ministry of Education’s Secondary and Higher Education Division. Under the policy, up to 25 percent of Class 8 students from each school—based on cumulative assessment results from Class 7—will be eligible to take part. The percentage may be revised by the National Steering Committee.

Two categories of scholarships will be awarded: Talent Pool and General. Scholarships will be distributed equally between male and female students, though allocations may be adjusted if eligible candidates are unavailable in a particular category. Students with special needs will receive an additional 30 minutes.

Transferred students may also participate in the scholarship examination if they are listed on the merit basis by their previous institution.