RAJSHAHI : The number of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) candidates under the Rajshahi Education Board this year has increased by 7,578 compared to last year. 

According to the board sources, a total of 1,40,830 candidates will take the exam this year. Among them, 73,057 are male and 67,773 are female students. 

In 2025, a total of 1,33,252 students appeared for the exam. 

This year, exams will be held at 208 centers across eight districts under the Rajshahi Education Board. 

The board has completed all preparations to conduct the exams in a fair, orderly, and disciplined manner. 

This year, the HSC exam will begin on July 2 and end on August 8. Practical examinations are scheduled to be completed by August 15.

Examinations will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the morning shift and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the afternoon shift.

According to the routine, the Bangla First Paper examination will be held on the first day.

Examinees must take their seats in the exam hall 30 minutes before the exam starts.
 
According to the instructions for examinees, the multiple-choice section will be held first, followed by the creative/essay (theoretical) section. 

The duration of the 30-mark MCQ examination is 30 minutes, while the 70-mark creative (CQ) examination will last two hours and 30 minutes.
 
Rajshahi Education Board Chairman Prof Dr Shamim Ara Chowdhury wished all examinees success. She also congratulated parents and teachers for their hard work in preparing students for the HSC exam. 

She said legal action will be taken as per board regulations if any officer-in-charge at a center is found involved in illegal activities related to the exam. 

She sought cooperation from all concerned to conduct the exams fairly and in an orderly manner.