Central University of Dhaka wasted no time. Just a day after Friday’s entrance exams, the university released the results for its Science and Business Studies units on Saturday evening, and the figures are disheartening. Three out of four applicants in the Science unit failed, while the Business Studies unit recorded a 67% failure rate.
University officials released both sets of results at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, thus completing the entrance exams for all three first-year undergraduate units for the 2025-26 academic year.
Science Unit: Only 1 in 4 Made It
The Faculty of Science, the most competitive of DCU’s three faculties, produced the most discouraging results. Of the 24,304 candidates who took the exam, only 6,013 passed. This represents a failure rate of 75.26%, with 18,290 candidates failing. One candidate’s exam was cancelled, and 4,731 registered applicants did not show up.
However, there is a silver lining to these figures. The Faculty of Science has 4,795 places, and 6,013 candidates passed, meaning the real fight for admission is now concentrated among a much smaller group, and each successful candidate maintains a real chance of being admitted.
Business Studies: 67 Percent Fell Short
The Business Studies unit performed slightly better, although most candidates still did not reach the required level. Of the 9,716 examinees, 3,208 passed and 6,507 failed, representing a failure rate of 66.97%. An additional 826 candidates were absent, and one exam was canceled.
With 1,997 places available for the unit and 3,208 candidates passing, approximately three passers will compete for every two places in the next phase.
How to Check Your Result
Candidates can view their results the same way as the earlier Arts unit result:
- Go to the university’s admission website — the portal where you applied
- Log in with your serial number and password
- Your individual result will appear on the dashboard
What Happens Next
With the release of results for the three units—Arts and Social Sciences were published earlier this week—Central University of Dhaka begins the course and faculty selection phase. Successful applicants will choose their preferences, and the ranking will determine who gets each course across the seven public faculties. The university has indicated that classes for the new academic year will begin on September 6.
Applicants who passed should keep an eye on the admissions portal to check the course selection schedule and prepare their preference lists in advance; a well-planned list is often as important as the exam score.
The Bigger Picture
High failure rates on university entrance exams are not unusual in Bangladesh; they reflect the stringent passing requirements designed to filter out genuine competition, not a decline in student quality. For the thousands of students who didn’t gain admission to Dhaka Central University (DCU), the admissions process isn’t over yet: the National University and other public universities are still accepting applications this cycle.
Rising Barta will provide the course selection schedule and all the latest news on admissions to Dhaka Central University. Stay tuned!
