A total of 41,050 applications were submitted against 8,726 seats in these schools. The distribution of admission forms concluded last Tuesday, sources in the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education said.

For conducting the admission tests on January 1, 3 and 5 smoothly, the 24 government schools have been divided into three categories this year.

The schools under category-A are Govt Laboratory High School, Mirpur Govt High School, Motijheel Govt Girls' High School, Khilgaon Govt High School, Nawabpur High School, New Govt Girls' High School, Islamia High School and Mohammadpur Govt High School. The admission tests for these schools will be held on January 1.

The admission tests for Motijheel Govt Boys' High School, Narinda Govt High School, Dhaka Govt Muslim High School, Banglabazar Govt Girls' High School, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Boys' High School, Govt Science College, Dhanmondi Girls' High School and Dhanmondi Quamrunnesa Govt Girls' High School under category-B will be held on January 3.

The schools under category-C include Dhanmondi Govt Boys' High School, Armanitola Govt High School, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Girls' High School, Tikatuli Quamrunnesa Govt Girls' High School, Dhaka Collegiate School, Gono Bhaban Govt High School, Tejgaon Govt High School and Tejgaon Govt Girls' High School. The admission tests for these schools will be held on January 5.

Meanwhile, admission tests at the city's non-government schools are going on.

Although there are many non-government high schools in the city, intense competition in the admission tests can be seen mainly at some renowned schools like Viqarunnisa Noon School, Holy Cross School, Ideal School and Willes Little Flower School.

As many as eight students are contesting in the ongoing admission test for a seat in the Viqarunnisa Noon School.