For many HSC graduates, studying abroad is a dream that promises both academic and personal growth. The opportunity to gain global exposure, access world-class education, and build a successful career drives this ambition. However, realizing this dream requires careful planning, from exams to documentation. Let’s explore this comprehensive guide outlining the essential preparation for higher education opportunities abroad for students after HSC. Standardized Exams or Aptitude Tests To pursue undergraduate studies abroad, students must often take standardized exams that evaluate academic readiness. Globally recognized tests include the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and ACT (American College Testing), which assess critical reading, writing, and mathematical skills. A competitive SAT score generally ranges from 1200 to 1400, while the ACT requires scores between 25 to 30 for top-tier universities. Certain regions, such as the UK (United Kingdom), may require specific exams like the UCAS (UCAS) Tariff or A-Levels. In addition, specific institutions may demand Subject Tests, previously part of the SAT but now integrated into university-specific admission processes. Fields like engineering or medicine might require additional exams, such as the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test) or UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) for medical studies in the UK. Preparing for these exams well in advance, alongside identifying university-specific testing requirements, is essential for securing admission into competitive programs. Read more: Higher Studies in Italy: Application Process, Costs, Student Visa, Scholarships, and Benefits Language Proficiency Exams For non-native English-speaking students, demonstrating proficiency in English is mandatory at almost all international universities. Accepted tests encompass the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), PTE (Pearson Test of English), and Duolingo. Universities in countries such as the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia typically require an IELTS score between 6.0 and 7.5, or a TOEFL score ranging from 80 to 100. Institutions in some European countries may accept English language proficiency based on high school English results but still recommend formal test scores for admission. For studies in non-English speaking countries, students may also need to demonstrate proficiency in the local language. For example, universities in Germany often require students to pass the TestDaF or DSH for German proficiency. In France, the DALF (Diploma in Advanced French Language) exams assess French language skills. Read more: How to Register for IELTS Exam in Bangladesh Documents Preparation Applying to undergraduate programs abroad requires meticulous documentation. The Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a key element, outlining the applicant’s academic goals, long-term career vision, and reasons for selecting a particular university or program. This document must be well-structured and tailored to each application, highlighting unique attributes and qualifications that align with the program's focus. Letters of Recommendation (LORs), typically provided by high school teachers or mentors, play a crucial role in validating the student’s academic performance and character. Most universities require two to three LORs, each providing an in-depth assessment of the student’s abilities and potential for success in higher education. Additionally, a carefully curated resume/CV summarizing academic achievements, leadership roles, and community service can further strengthen an application. Some universities may request a personal essay or motivation letter, offering students another opportunity to explain their passion for their chosen field of study. Read more: Higher Studies in England: Application, Study Cost, Scholarship, and Other Scopes Collecting Academic Documents Before applying to universities abroad, it is crucial to gather and organize all required academic documents. Essential materials include HSC certificates, marksheets, and transcripts. These documents must be certified as true copies by a recognized authority, such as the Board of Intermediate Education or a school principal. These documents also need to be prepared with official translations if they are not in English. The translation should be processed through certified translation services, whether by the Ministry of Education or a notary public. In addition to academic records, extracurricular certificates demonstrating involvement in sports, community service, or arts should be compiled and verified for authenticity, if necessary. Keeping both digital and physical copies of all essential documents in an organized manner will facilitate a smoother application process. Read more: Studying for Bachelor’s in Romania: Application Process, Costs, Scholarships, and Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students Essential Life Skills Developing some fundamental life skills is vital for students preparing to live independently abroad. Basic cooking skills are necessary, as many students will need to prepare their own meals. Learning to cook a few staple dishes can ease the transition to self-sufficiency. Driving is another useful skill, especially in countries where public transportation may not be readily available. Obtaining a driving license and becoming familiar with basic road safety and regulations can prove beneficial. However, students should obtain an international driving permit. Beyond these, practical skills such as swimming and first aid are valuable for personal safety and health. Being able to respond to emergencies or handle minor injuries can be vital when living away from home. Read more: Essential Skills to Learn Before Going to Study Abroad Searching for Undergraduate Scholarships Financing education abroad is often a concern, but there are numerous scholarships available for international students. Dedicated scholarship portals provide a wealth of opportunities based on a student’s destination, field of study, and academic merit. Some of the most useful platforms are as follows: https://study-uk.britishcouncil.org/scholarships-funding/  https://www.idp.com/  https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/scholarships/daad-scholarships/  https://www.fastweb.com/  https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search  https://www.scholars4dev.com/ In Conclusion Preparing for higher studies abroad after HSC requires thorough planning, from excelling in entrance and language proficiency exams to organizing essential documents like transcripts and recommendations. Developing practical life skills, such as cooking and driving, ensures a smooth transition to independent living. Additionally, exploring various scholarship opportunities can ease the financial burden. Following these steps will help students maximize their chances of success in pursuing undergraduate studies at international institutions. Read more: Studying for Bachelor’s Degree in Hungary: Cost, Scholarships, Opportunities for Bangladeshi Students

The results of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations of 2024 will be published on October 15. Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of Dhaka Education Board and head of the Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee, told UNB on Monday afternoon. The results will be published around 11:00 am on the day, he said. “In the past, the Prime Minister would officially inaugurate the result-publication process. However, this time the chief adviser will not be doing so. Instead, the chairman of the relevant education board will announce the results,” Sarkar added. This year, the HSC and its equivalent exams began across the country except in Sylhet division on June 30. The exams in Sylhet division started on July 9 as the Ministry of Education deferred the board’s exams due to flooding. HSC results likely between October 15-1 7 After eight days of the exams, all exams scheduled for July 18 were postponed due to the situation created amid the quota reform movement. After that, the government postponed the exams three more times. Finally, after postponing all the exams, a new schedule was published starting from August 11. On August 24, the Ministry of Education decided to cancel all the remaining HSC exams. This decision came in response to demands from some students who stormed the secretariat on that day. The Education Ministry took the decision to evaluate the copies of those subjects the students appeared for the examinations this year. Govt approves publishing HSC results soon: Education Ministry Besides, the subject mapping method was followed for other subjects based on the SSC results. A total of 14,50,790 students from nine general Education Boards, Madrasha Board and Technical Board were expected to sit for the exams from 9,463 educational institutions at 2,275 centres across the country.  

The HSC and equivalent examinations of all education boards scheduled for July 28, 29, 31 and August 1 have been postponed due to unavoidable reasons. The new schedule for the postponed examinations will be notified later, according to a notification signed by Prof Tapan Kumar Sarkar, chairman of the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee and chairman of the Dhaka Education Board. Read more: Edu Ministry to request heads of higher edu intuitions to sit with students’ bodies to resume classes Earlier, the HSC and equivalent examinations scheduled for July 18, 21, 23, 25 were also postponed in the wake of violence amid students’ demonstration for reforming quota in public service.

In response to the disruption caused by rain, the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams will be rescheduled to an earlier date from next year, Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury has said. On the first day of this year's HSC and equivalent exams, many candidates faced significant difficulties due to heavy rainfall. Read more: HSC exams in Sylhet’s flood-hit areas to be held later: Education Minister Many students were unable to reach their centers on time. With more rain forecasted in the coming days, the Education Board instructed that extra time be given to students arriving late at exam centers. Addressing a press briefing at the International Mother Language Institute in Segunbagicha on Sunday, the minister said, "Our exam schedule was disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic. We have mostly recovered from that. Next year, the exams will be scheduled earlier, and the HSC exams will be held during the driest season possible." Read more: HSC, equivalent exams begin

The Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent exams have begun across the country except in Sylhet division this morning. The exams in Sylhet division will start from July 9 as Ministry of Education deferred the  board’s exams due to flood. The examinees under the Sylhet Board will sit for Bangla-I, II and English-I and II papers as per new routine to be announced later, said Sylhet Education Board Chairman Rama Bijoy Sarkar. A total of 14,50,790 students from nine general Education Boards, Madrasha Board and Technical Board are expected to sit for the exams from 9,463 educational institutions at 2,275 centres across the country, according to authorities. HSC, equivalent exams begin Sunday; over 14 lakh candidates to appear Among them, 11, 28,281 students are supposed to appear from nine general boards, 88,076 from madrasha board and 2, 34,433 from Technical Board respectively. Some 281 students will appear for the examination from eight overseas centres. Like the previous years, all coaching centres were asked to keep closed from June 29 till August 11.

The HSC and its equivalent exams will be held later in Sylhet if the region sees severe flood, said Education Minister Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury Nowfel. He said this at a press briefing after a meeting of the National Monitoring and Law and Order Committee formed to hold the upcoming HSC and equivalent examinations in a fair, copying-free environment at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Replying to a question over the public exam, "We have already been informed about the weather forecast during the HSC examination, the water level of various rivers there is in rising trend. We have already completed preparations keeping in mind the movement of students.” Read more: HSC exams to begin from June 30; Coaching centres to remain shut from June 29 to Aug 11 He said the areas where flooding is likely to spread the exams won’t be taken there initially. “We have proper preparation to take those tests later.” “The convenience of the examinees is the most important to us. We do not want the examinees to suffer and their desired results be affected in any way,” he said. This year, the HSC and its equivalent exams are scheduled to begin on June 30. A total of 14,50,790 students from nine General Education Boards, Madrasha Board and Technical Board will sit for the exams from 9,463 educational institutions at 2,275 centres. Read more: Flood situation in Sylhet shows mixed trends as Surma water recedes, Kushiyara rises

Boys are increasingly lagging behind in secondary and higher secondary education, as the recent SSC 2024 results have demonstrated. This trend has led many including the Prime Minister to wonder why boys are underperforming in schools. Educationists have pointed out that many boys are glued to their mobile phones and social media platforms even when at home, resulting in inattentiveness and lack of focus. In contrast, girls tend to be more attentive and diligent in their studies. As a result, male students in schools are falling behind their female peers. Experts believe that boys' addiction to technology, coupled with inattentiveness in class and a tendency to disobey their parents contribute significantly to their educational lag. Conversely, girls benefit from stronger parental control and are more focused on their studies.  Government initiatives such as promoting social awareness about girls’ education, preventing child marriage, and offering scholarships have also boosted girls' participation and success in education. SSC, equivalent exams 2024: Significant gains for Madrasa Education Board Girls ahead in SSC and HSC  Recent results from the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations underscore this trend. Girls have outperformed boys with an 84.47% pass rate compared to 81.57% for boys. Additionally, more girls achieved the top GPA-5 score, with 98,776 girls attaining this grade against 83,353 boys. PM calls for investigation into boys' underperformance  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during the release of the 2024 SSC examination results on May 12, highlighted the need to investigate the reasons behind boys' declining performance. She emphasised that while the higher pass rates for girls are positive, it is crucial to understand and address why boys are falling behind. The Prime Minister also raised concerns about teenagers forming gangs, noting that this trend is unacceptable. She stressed the importance of guiding youth towards productive activities and away from delinquency. Education Ministry's response Education Minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel acknowledged the Prime Minister's directives, stating that while scholarships are provided equally to both genders, additional measures may be needed to support boys' educational progress. The ministry is committed to investigating the underlying reasons for boys' underperformance. Insights from Experts Dhaka University Emeritus Professor Serajul Islam Choudhury attributed boys' lagging behind to excessive use of social media and a lack of discipline. He noted that boys are more likely to be distracted and less attentive in their studies compared to girls, who are often under stricter parental supervision. Rasheda K Chowdhury, educationist and a former caretaker government adviser, echoed these sentiments, pointing to boys' misuse of the internet and time-consuming gaming habits as significant factors. She emphasised the need for boys to adopt the same values and responsibilities instilled in girls to achieve educational parity. SSC, equivalent exams 2024: Pass rate 83%, 2.65% higher compared to 2023 Educational institutions' observations Heads of various educational institutions reported that many boys are becoming involved in gangs and antisocial activities at a young age, which detracts from their academic focus.  Distinguished educationist and Emeritus Professor of BRAC University, Manzoor Ahmed, noted the absence of research on boys' educational lag and highlighted the visible involvement of young boys in non-academic activities, such as teenage gangs, as a growing concern. While girls continue to excel in the educational sphere, boys' addiction to social media and other distractions necessitates urgent attention from parents, educators, and policymakers to ensure balanced academic success for all students.

As many as 10,500 students will get scholarships based on the results of  Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and its equivalent examinations of 2023. Secondary schools can be shut if temperature drops below 10 C: DSHE Of them, 1125 students under nine general boards will be given merit scholarships while 9,375 general scholarships. A notice, signed by Prof. Nehal Ahmed, Director General of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), was issued in this regard on Tuesday. Nowfel wants new unis to refrain from running undergraduate courses at start of journey The education boards have been instructed to publish a gazette in this regard within January 21. Those who will get the scholarship under merit list will be provided Tk 825 per month and a lump sum Tk 1,800 once a year and the students under general list will be given Tk 375 per month and the lump sum Tk 750 once a year. Venice hosts congress of Bangladeshi students in northern Italy

A total of 92,0365 students have received GPA-5 in 2023 HSC and equivalent exams – an almost 50 percent decline compared to 2022. In 2022, a total of 176,282 students obtained GPA-5. Education Minister Dipu Moni handed over the result summary to the prime minister earlier this morning (November 26, 2023). Also read: HSC, equivalent exams 2023: Pass rate drops more than 7% compared to last year Later, chairmen of different education boards handed over the results of their respective boards to the PM. This year, a total of 13,74,488 students sat for HSC and equivalent exams from August 17 to September 25. Of them, 698,135 are boys, and 676,353 are girls. Also read: PM unveils HSC, equivalent results

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent exams for 2024 will be held in February while Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and equivalent exams will be held in April, Bangladesh's Education Minister Dipu Moni said today (August 17, 2023). “For the past several years, the authorities concerned had to rearrange the academic calendar due to the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disaster, but it will be fully set from next year,” she hoped. The minister came up with the information while talking to reporters after visiting an SSC exam hall at Tejgaon College in Dhaka. “We will try our level best to hold HSC exams in April and SSC exams in February, from next year,” she added. HSC exams to be held on schedule: Dipu Moni Dipu Moni claimed that there has been no question paper leak in public exams in the last five years. “We have been on alert to prevent question paper leak since 2015 and I hope there will be no untoward incident during this year’s HSC exams.” If anyone tried to spread rumours, law enforcing agencies will take stern action against them, she said. HSC and equivalent exams for 2023 began across the country today. Students sat for the Bangla first paper exam on the first day, at 10 am. HSC exams to start on August 17 as per schedule: Dipu Moni A total of 13,59, 342 students — 6,88, 887 boys and 6,70,455 girls — are expected to sit for this year’s HSC exams, 1,55,935 more than the previous year. According to the routine, HSC written exams will continue till September 25 while practical exams will be held from September 26 to October 4. The HSC exams is being held at 2,658 exam centres and 9,169 educational institutions. Among the total students, 11,08,594 students will appear for HSC under the nine general education boards, 98,031 under the Madrasa board, and 1,52,717 under the Technical Education board. Not possible to nationalise private educational institutions before national polls: Dipu Moni