# Secondary School Certificate (Bangladesh)

The Secondary School Certificate (SSC) is a public examination in Bangladesh taken by students in the 10th grade. It is a significant milestone in the country's education system and marks the completion of secondary education.

## History

The SSC examination system in Bangladesh traces its roots to the colonial period under British rule. The system has evolved over time, and since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the examination has been administered by multiple regional education boards.

## Examination structure

The SSC examination in Bangladesh is held annually by the DSHE. Students must take exams in various subjects.

### Subjects

Compulsory subjects: Students are required to study a set of core subjects, including: Bangla (1st and 2nd paper), English (1st and 2nd paper), general mathematics, information and communication technology, religion and moral education (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Christianity based on the student's faith). These subjects are mandatory for all students and form the foundation of the SSC curriculum.
Group-specific subjects: Students are divided into three groups: science, humanities, and commerce. Each group has specific subjects in addition to the core subjects.
Science: physics, chemistry, biology, higher mathematics, Bangladesh and global studies.
Humanities: history, geography, civics, economics, general science.
Commerce: accounting, business studies, economics, Finance, general science.
Optional subjects, such as agriculture or home science, may also be chosen based on student preferences.
There are two additional subjects, physical education and career education. Marks for these subjects are awarded based on continuous assessments conducted during 9th and 10th grade.

## Boards of education

The SSC exam is conducted by various regional education boards across Bangladesh. Those are:
* Dhaka Education Board
* Rajshahi Education Board
* Chattogram Education Board
* Jashore Education Board
* Barishal Education Board
* Sylhet Education Board
* Dinajpur Education Board
* Comilla Education Board
* Mymensingh Education Board
* Madrasah Education Board (Exceptional)
* Vocational Education Board (Excaptional)
Each board is responsible for organizing the examinations, publishing results, and ensuring the smooth conduct of SSC exams in its jurisdiction.

## Grading system

The SSC results are based on a grading system, as follows:
Grading System :
| Grade | Marks Range (%) | GPA |
| A+ | 80% or above | 5.00 |
| A | 70–79% | 4.00 |
| A- | 60–69% | 3.50 |
| B | 50–59% | 3.00 |
| C | 40–49% | 2.00 |
| D | 33–39% | 1.00 |
| F | Below 33% | 0.00 |
The grades are awarded based on the overall performance in the examinations, and the results determine students' eligibility for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exam. Students who fail in one or more subjects are required to retake the examination for those subjects in the following year's SSC examination.

## Importance

The SSC exam plays a vital role in the educational system of Bangladesh. Students who pass the SSC exam are eligible to pursue higher secondary education, which is the prerequisite for university admission. SSC results also serve as a foundation for career opportunities in various fields, such as engineering, medical, and business.