The exams were introduced in 2009 by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh.
The PEC exam did not held for two years (2020 & 2022) due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After 13 years, Government reintroduced scholarship exams for Class 5 students from 2022.
At least 10 percent of fifth graders in every school across the country will be able to take part in the scholarship exams.
Students who qualify for the talent-pool stipend get Tk 300 a month while general stipend holders get Tk 225 per month until they complete grade 8.