When we were kids, we often got asked questions like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Most of us would say, without much thought, “A doctor!” even though we had little idea of what doctors do or the significance of their work. We were simply fascinated by the idea of how cool we’d look wearing a stethoscope and a white coat.
Fast forward to today, most of us probably took a different path, but for countless students, the dream of studying in a medical or dental college and becoming a doctor remains. Each year, over a hundred thousand students sit for the medical and dental admission tests. They aim to secure a seat in one of the 37 public medical colleges (5,380 seats), while some set their sights on one of the 9 public dental colleges (545 seats). And if you are one of these ambitious people, then this article is just for you!
Mark distribution and syllabus
The mark distribution and syllabus of medical and dental college admission tests are the same.
| Subjects | Marks |
| Biology | 30 |
| Chemistry | 25 |
| Physics | 20 |
| English | 15 |
Bangladesh History and Liberation War | 10 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
- Time Duration: 1 hour
- Question Pattern: MCQ
- Wrong Answer Deduction: 0.25
- Pass Marks: 40
Requirements
The eligibility criteria of medical and dental college admission tests are also the same.
- To apply for the 2024-2025 medical and dental admission test, students must have completed HSC/A level/equivalent in 2024 or 2023 and SSC/O level/equivalent in 2022 or 2021. However, the SSC/equivalent exam must have been cleared within two years before passing the HSC/equivalent examination.
- Applicants need a minimum GPA of 9.00 in SSC and HSC combined, with no less than 3.50 in any exam. Additionally, a GPA of 4.00 in Biology is required in both SSC and HSC.
- SSC and HSC GPAs will be evaluated on a 200-point scale: SSC GPA × 15 = 75 marks, and HSC GPA × 25 = 125 marks.
- For second-time medical admission candidates, 5 marks will be deducted from their total score. Additionally, candidates who were already admitted to a medical or dental college in the previous year will receive a 7.5-mark deduction from their total score.
Tips to ace the exam
To get experts’ advice, we chatted with Mobin Ibne Mokbul, who secured the top position in the national merit list for the 2019-20 dental admission exam, and Swapnil Abdullah, who stood second in the 2017-18 medical admission test.
Identify your weaker areas
According to them, if you’re aiming to study medicine or dentistry, now’s the time to create a solid study plan. Make the most of these months before the exam and cut out all the unnecessary activities.
Identify your weak areas in each subject and work on them. Also, don’t study the same topic continuously; you can get bored easily. Try to switch to another subject if you feel stuck. They used to connect topics that relate to each other to make them easier to remember.
Consistency is the key
The number of hours isn’t as important as the quality of your study. Don’t think you have to study for a certain number of hours just because someone else does.
Some people remember things quickly, while others need more practice. But you have to study every day. Choose a method that feels comfortable for you. Try to take as many model tests as you can; this will help you evaluate yourself and see where you need improvement.
Textbooks to follow
Start by thoroughly reading one main textbook, ideally the one that usually has the most questions on the exam. After that, look at additional important details from other authors’ books.
Review notes and lecture sheets from coaching sessions as a supplement. For botany, read books by Abul Hasan, and for zoology, look for Gazi Azmal’s work. Once you’re done with those, check Abdul Alim’s book as well. Chemistry (Parts 1 and 2) can be covered in Hazari Nag’s book, followed by Ahsanul Kabir’s.
For physics, Amir Ishaq’s book combined with Shahjahan Tapan’s additional material will be useful. For English, look at Apex’s book, which includes past questions from medical exams, Dhaka University, and BCS.
Review the rules to clear up the basics. For general knowledge, MP3 solutions offer common questions from past exams. Finally, if you’d like, review any coaching sheets for extra practice. And don’t forget to solve previous years’ questions as well.
According to them, to ace any public admission test, you must solve previous years’ questions. Because past years’ question patterns can give you an idea of what to expect.
When you sit for the admission test, you’re actually taking two tests: one is the exam itself, and the other is a psychological test. Sometimes, students with excellent preparation feel pressure in the exam hall and make mistakes on questions they know well.
So, if you can get through those 60 minutes with your calm head and think clearly, you know you’ve got the white coat. We wish you all the best for the upcoming 2024-2025 medical admission test!