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Over half of male HSC candidates fail exam, female pass rate higher

More than 50 percent of male Higher Secondary Certificate candidates have failed the examination, according to latest results, while female candidates achieved a notably better pass rate of 56.31 percent.

LSN Bangladesh · 31 October 2026

Over half of male HSC candidates fail exam, female pass rate higher

Results from the Higher Secondary Certificate examinations reveal a significant gender disparity in student performance, with male candidates experiencing a substantially higher failure rate than their female counterparts. Data shows that over half of all male HSC candidates did not meet the passing threshold, contrasting sharply with the 43.69 percent failure rate recorded among female test-takers.

The performance gap underscores broader trends in secondary education outcomes across the region, where female students have increasingly demonstrated stronger academic achievement in standardized examinations. Female candidates achieved a pass rate exceeding 56 percent, indicating that a clear majority successfully completed the HSC examination requirements.

Education officials and analysts have attributed such disparities to various factors including attendance rates, study habits, and differential access to educational resources between male and female students. The results prompt renewed focus on identifying and addressing underlying causes of underperformance among male candidates in the examination system.

The HSC examination serves as a critical benchmark for student progression in Bangladesh's education system, with results determining eligibility for higher education placements and various professional pathways. These latest figures suggest the need for targeted interventions to support male student achievement and narrow the widening performance gap.