GST Cluster Universities

The GST (General, Science & Technology) Cluster Admission System is Bangladesh’s largest centralized undergraduate admission process, covering 19 public universities across the country. Under this system, students from all three academic backgrounds — Science, Humanities, and Business Studies — can apply to multiple universities through a single online platform and sit for just one combined admission test, eliminating the burden and expense of taking separate exams for each institution.

The GST system was introduced in 2020 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh to make the admission process fairer, more accessible, and less stressful for students. All admission activities — application, payment, admit card download, seat plan, and result — are managed through the official portal: gstadmission.ac.bd.

The cluster currently has approximately 23,000+ seats across its member universities, making it one of the most significant pathways to public university education in Bangladesh.

Participating Universities (2025–26)

A total of 19 public universities participate in the GST cluster for the 2025–26 session, divided into General universities and Science & Technology universities:

🏫 General Universities

🔬 Science & Technology Universities

Note: University participation and seat numbers may be updated each session. Some newer universities are still expanding their seat capacity. Always verify the latest list on the official GST website.

Note: Several major universities — including Dhaka University, Rajshahi University, Chittagong University, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Khulna University, SUST, and BUET — conduct their own independent admission tests and are not part of the GST cluster.

Admission Units

The GST admission test is divided into 3 units, each corresponding to a student’s HSC academic background. A student can apply for only one unit based on their group:

Eligibility Criteria

General Requirements

• Must be a Bangladeshi citizen
• SSC/Equivalent: Passed in 2021, 2022, or 2023
• HSC/Equivalent: Passed in 2024 or 2025
• Second-timers (students who passed HSC in the previous year) are eligible to apply
• GCE O-Level/A-Level and equivalent students may apply with an approved Equivalence Certificate

Unit-wise GPA Requirements

GPA values include the 4th subject. Meeting minimum GPA does not guarantee admission — students must also qualify in the admission test.

Admission Test Details

The GST admission test is a 100-mark MCQ-based examination held once per unit on separate days. All units follow the same test format.

• Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) only
• Total Marks: 100
• Duration: 1 Hour (60 minutes)
• Minimum Pass Mark: 30 out of 100
• Negative Marking: Yes — 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer; 1 mark awarded per correct answer
• Syllabus: Based on the HSC/Equivalent National Curriculum

Subject-wise Mark Distribution

Unit A — Science Group:

Science students must answer Physics and Chemistry (compulsory) plus any two from Mathematics, Biology, Bangla, or English.

Unit B — Humanities Group:

Unit C — Business Studies Group:

Exact subject-wise marks for B and C units are confirmed in the official circular each session.

Merit Score Calculation (Out of 120)

Students are ranked in the final merit list based on this combined score. A minimum of 30 marks in the admission test is mandatory to be considered for merit ranking.

Application Process

All applications are submitted online only through gstadmission.ac.bd. The step-by-step process is:

1. Visit the official website: gstadmission.ac.bd
2. Enter your SSC and HSC Roll Number, Registration Number, and Board details. The system auto-verifies your information.
3. Select your Unit (A, B, or C) based on your HSC group. You can only apply for one unit.
4. Choose your Exam Center from the list of participating universities. Centers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early for your preferred location.
5. Upload a recent passport-size color photo and signature as per the specified format.
6. Pay the Application Fee of BDT 1,500 (non-refundable) via mobile banking (bKash, Rocket, Nagad) or online banking. An additional BDT 500 applies for units with an Architecture practical test.
7. Download and save a copy of your completed application form.
8. Download your Admit Card from the official website 7–10 days before the exam date. Print it in color on A4 paper and bring it to the exam.
9. Appear for the admission test at your assigned center on the scheduled date.
10. Check your result by logging in to gstadmission.ac.bd with your Application ID and Password.

Exam Centers

The GST admission test is held at 21 centers across Bangladesh, located at participating university campuses in different districts and divisions. Students choose their preferred center during the application process. Popular centers (such as those in Dhaka) have a high seat capacity and can accommodate a large number of students. Less popular centers fill up quickly, so early application is strongly recommended.

After the Admission Test

Once results are published, the GST process enters a two-stage final admission phase:

1. University-Specific Application: Students who pass the GST test (score ≥ 30) must apply separately to each university they wish to attend. Each university sets its own minimum score cut-off, subject list, and application window. These are announced on each university’s official website.
2. Merit-Based Seat Allocation: Universities prepare their own merit lists based on the GST score. Seats are allocated based on merit rank and subject preference order submitted by the student.
3. Final Admission: Selected students must pay the university’s admission fee and complete document verification in person at the allocated university. Required documents typically include original SSC and HSC certificates, GST score sheet, and passport-size photos.

Key Facts at a Glance