Private candidates who wish to sit for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent examinations in 2025 will be given another opportunity to register, as per a notification issued by the Dhaka Education Board on Thursday (8 May).

As per the revised schedule, private and regular students can complete their registration and form fill-up between 12 and 15 May.

Earlier, the online registration window for private candidates was open from 12 to 30 January.

Students who passed their SSC or equivalent exams in 2020 or later are eligible to register as private candidates for the 2025 HSC examinations. Those who completed SSC under the Bangladesh Open University in 2019 or later also qualify.

Key guidelines for private candidates:

1. Private candidates can participate in the HSC 2025 exams only by registering afresh. They must comply with all examination regulations applicable to regular students.
2. Private candidates must sit for a test exam through a designated college approved by the board. However, teachers, members of law enforcement or armed forces, and physically or visually impaired students are exempted from this requirement.
3. Students must take the HSC exams at the centre designated for the college through which they are registered. Centre changes will not be permitted.
4. Only students from Humanities, Business Studies, and Islamic Studies streams are eligible to appear as private candidates. Subjects with practical exams (except ICT) are not allowed. Private candidates may not choose an optional fourth subject.
5. Education board employees may not sit for exams under their own board while in service but may do so through another board upon receiving official approval.
6. Applications, along with required documents and fees, must be submitted to the principal of the designated college between 6 and 20 January 2025.
7. A registration fee of Tk100 is applicable. Online registration (cSIF) must be completed, and the submitted list must include attested copies of SSC marksheets, organised serially.
   • Marksheets must bear the stamp “Verified and Found Correct” from the controller of examinations.
   • Candidates who passed SSC before 1995, or through technical or madrasa boards prior to 1999, must follow specific attestation procedures.
   • Candidates who failed the 2020 HSC exams but passed SSC in 2016 or later must submit their original admit cards.
   • A character certificate confirming the candidate has not been expelled or declared ineligible for HSC 2025 is mandatory.
   • Two recent passport-sized photographs with the candidate’s name and signature must be attached and attested by the principal.
   • Teacher-candidates must submit proof of at least three years of service from the District Education Officer.
   • Candidates from police or armed forces must provide a certificate confirming one year of active service.
8. Registration cards must be collected from the HSC section on 16 February 2025. Any issues in the PROBLEMATIC PRINT OUT must be corrected and resubmitted by 20 February 2025.
9. Private candidates must sit for test exams in Bengali, English, ICT, and any three elective subjects—each worth 100 marks, with a duration of 3 hours.
10. Registration through the designated college must be completed before the board’s stipulated deadline. This registration is valid for one year only.
11. Subjects chosen must align with approved subject clusters. Deviation will result in exam cancellation.
12. Exam fees must be deposited at the designated college in accordance with the board’s notice.
13. Candidates must comply with all exam regulations. The board reserves the right to cancel any application without explanation.

The 2025 HSC and equivalent examinations are scheduled to commence on 26 June.