A-level examinations under the Cambridge International began on Thursday and the exams under the Pearson Edexcel are scheduled to begin on October 5.

Pearson’s O-level exams are scheduled to start on November 2 and the exams under the Cambridge are scheduled to start on November 5.

The government on September 22 gave British Council permission to hold the A and O level examinations under the UK-based education boards on conditions.

Up to 1,800 students should be allowed to sit for any examination at the 35 centres across the country in a day, according to the conditions.

Education minister Dipu Moni on Wednesday defended the government decision of allowing the British Council to hold A level and O level exams.

‘It will be quite convenient to maintain health guidelines. And those, who will miss the exams for fear of getting infected with the COVID-19 virus will get another chance to attend the exams next May,’ she said in an online briefing.

The High Court on Wednesday rejected a writ petition that sought an order for staying the A-level exams scheduled for today and the upcoming O-level exams in November.