Choosing the Right Exam Board
Choosing the Right Exam Board: Subject-Specific Comparisons for Schools in Bangladesh
For schools and teachers in Bangladesh, choosing the right international syllabus is about more than just following tradition. With multiple exam boards available — Cambridge International, Pearson Edexcel, and OxfordAQA — the decision has a direct impact on how students are taught, assessed, and ultimately how well they succeed.
Each board offers slightly different structures, paper formats, approaches to practical skills, and support for teachers. These differences matter. They affect everything from day-to-day teaching in your classroom থেকে how well your students are prepared for university entry, both in Bangladesh and abroad.
Why These Guides?
- Local context: Only exam boards and subjects available in Bangladesh are included.
- Decision-ready information: We highlight practical differences teachers and leaders will feel in class and during exam preparation.
- Clear registration pathways: Step-by-step guidance for how schools and private candidates can register through British Council Bangladesh.
- Subject-specific focus: Each page looks in detail at a core subject, from assessment structure to practical requirements.
Start Exploring
Click on a subject below to view a full comparison of Cambridge, Edexcel, and OxfordAQA syllabi, with detailed breakdowns of papers, content, and teacher resources.
- গণিত – Non-calculator practice vs calculator-friendly routes, tiering choices, and exam timetables.
- জীববিজ্ঞান – How each board handles practical assessment, written papers, and scientific skills.
- রসায়ন – Practical vs written practical assessment, content breadth, and international recognition.
- পদার্থবিদ্যা – Core/Extended vs untiered routes, practical exam requirements, and recognition.
- ইংরেজী – First Language vs Second Language, speaking endorsements, and global recognition.
- ইংরেজি সাহিত্য – Text choices, coursework options, and assessment differences.
- Bangla / Bengali – Literature vs language focus, O Level and IGCSE options, and assessment approaches.
- বাংলাদেশ স্টাডিজ – History and geography of Bangladesh, unique to Cambridge and Edexcel.
- Islamic Studies / Islamiat – Contemporary issues focus (Edexcel) vs traditional Qur’an & Hadith study (Cambridge & OxfordAQA).
- Computer Science & ICT – Programming and computational thinking vs applied ICT skills and digital literacy.
- ইতিহাস – Modern world depth studies, optional units (e.g., WW2, Industrial Revolution), and assessment structure.
- ভূগোল – Physical, human and environmental units; fieldwork and data-response emphasis.
- Business & Commerce – Business decision-making vs trade/commerce focus, modular and linear options.
- Art & Design – Portfolio vs timed assignment balance, specialisms (Fine Art, Graphics, Textiles, Photography).
- অর্থনীতি – Micro vs macro balance, data-response and case study approaches.
- হিসাবরক্ষণ – Bookkeeping, ledgers, control processes, financial statements and adjustments.
Who Are These Guides For?
- School leaders making decisions about which exam boards to adopt.
- শিক্ষক preparing to teach new syllabi and looking for clear guidance on assessment demands.
- Parents and students who want to understand the differences between boards and make informed choices.
চূড়ান্ত কথা
There is no single “best” exam board. Each offers a rigorous, recognised pathway. The right choice depends on your students’ profile, teacher capacity, school facilities, and future university pathways. Our subject guides are designed to help you weigh those choices with confidence.
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