The Ministry of Health has confirmed dates for the 2024-2025 medical and dental admission tests. The medical admission test is set for January 17, and the dental (BDS) admission test will take place on February 28. Prof. Mohiuddin Matubbar, Director of Health Education, announced the decision following a ministry meeting, adding that further details would be released later. The tests will follow the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) syllabus, with a total of 100 questions, each worth one mark, maintaining the same format as last year.
Meanwhile, a debate over the automated admission system has emerged. Introduced in the 2022-2023 academic year, this system places students in government and private medical colleges based on their merit ranking. The Bangladesh Private Medical College Association, representing private college owners, is calling for the automated system to be discontinued, citing concerns over restricted college choice for students who can afford private medical education. In a letter to the Health Ministry, the association argued that the automation limits students’ freedom to enroll in colleges of their choosing, which they say could be harmful to private institutions.
Medical education experts, however, caution that removing automation could reintroduce irregularities, as admissions would be less merit-based and potentially favor students who can pay. Previously, private colleges had more flexibility to admit students lower in the merit ranking in exchange for higher fees, raising concerns about fairness.
Bangladesh has 110 medical colleges: 37 government, 67 private, one Armed Forces Medical College, and five private Army Medical Colleges. Admissions to government colleges remain strictly merit-based, and experts are advocating for the same approach in private colleges to maintain standards. The Ministry of Health is expected to review the request but has not yet announced any changes to the automated admission system.
