The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2026 will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026, across Sri Lanka. According to the Department of Examinations, 294,089 candidates are scheduled to sit the examination at 2,723 examination centres islandwide.
With thousands of parents preparing their children for the examination, many parents have questions about the exam time, examination centre, what children should bring, mobile phones, arrival time, papers and important rules.
Here are the most important questions and answers for parents.
Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2026 – Parent Q&A
1. When is the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2026?
The Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2026 will be held on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Parents should make sure their children arrive at the correct examination centre on time.
2. What time does the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam start?
The examination is conducted in two papers.
Paper II: 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Break: 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Paper I: 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Parents should not wait until the last minute to take their children to the examination centre.
3. What time should students arrive at the examination centre?
The Department of Examinations has advised candidates to arrive at their examination centre one hour before the examination begins.
Arriving early gives the child enough time to:
- Find the examination hall
- Check the seating arrangements
- Settle down
- Use the washroom if necessary
- Relax before the examination begins
4. Can parents enter the examination centre?
No.
Parents will not be permitted to enter the examination centres.
Parents should take their children to the designated location and follow the instructions given by examination officials.
5. What should parents do before leaving home?
Parents should check that the child has everything needed for the examination.
It is a good idea to prepare everything the night before.
Check:
- Admission/examination documents
- Required stationery
- Pencils
- Eraser
- Sharpener
- Other permitted items
- Water bottle, if permitted
- School uniform or required clothing
Most importantly, check the examination centre and travel route before leaving home.
6. Can students take mobile phones into the examination hall?
No.
The Department of Examinations has stated that mobile phones, smartwatches, notes and other electronic devices are prohibited inside the examination hall.
Parents should avoid sending children to the examination centre with unnecessary electronic devices.
7. Can students wear a smartwatch?
No. Smartwatches and other electronic devices are not permitted in the examination hall.
Parents should make sure children do not accidentally bring smartwatches or similar devices.
8. What should students do when they receive the question paper?
Students should carefully read the instructions provided on the question paper.
The Department has specifically advised candidates to:
- Read the instructions carefully
- Write their index number correctly
- Provide answers clearly
- Follow the instructions given on the paper
Parents should remind children not to rush when reading the instructions.
9. Should children be given a heavy breakfast before the exam?
A normal, familiar breakfast is generally a better choice than giving the child unfamiliar or very heavy food.
Parents can prepare a simple meal that the child is accustomed to eating.
The main goal is to ensure the child:
- Eats adequately
- Drinks enough water
- Gets sufficient sleep
- Arrives relaxed
10. What time should the child wake up?
There is no single correct wake-up time for every child.
The important thing is to avoid rushing.
Parents should plan enough time for:
- Getting ready
- Breakfast
- Travelling
- Finding the examination centre
- Arriving approximately one hour early
Preparing clothes and stationery the previous night can reduce morning stress.
11. Should parents give children last-minute tuition before the exam?
The Department has announced that tuition classes related to the examination ended at midnight on August 5, and promotional activities related to the Scholarship Examination through print or electronic media are prohibited until the examination concludes.
At this stage, parents should focus on helping the child remain calm rather than creating additional pressure.
12. Should parents continue asking questions on the morning of the exam?
It is usually better not to turn the morning into another intensive study session.
A calm morning can help the child feel more confident.
Parents can simply remind the child:
“Read the question carefully, take your time and do your best.”
13. What should parents do if their child feels nervous?
Feeling nervous before an important examination is normal.
Parents can help by:
- Speaking calmly
- Avoiding comparisons with other children
- Avoiding threats or pressure
- Giving the child enough time to get ready
- Reminding the child that the exam is only one part of their education
A calm parent can help create a calmer child.
14. What if the child makes a mistake in the exam?
Tell the child not to panic.
They should carefully follow the instructions on the question paper and manage their time.
If they become stuck on a difficult question, they should remain calm and continue according to the examination instructions.
15. How many students are sitting the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2026?
According to the Department of Examinations, 294,089 candidates are sitting the examination this year.
This includes:
- 220,366 Sinhala-medium candidates
- 73,723 Tamil-medium candidates
16. How many examination centres are there?
The 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination is being conducted at 2,723 examination centres across Sri Lanka.
Parents should check their child's assigned centre before travelling.
17. What if the examination centre is far from home?
Plan the journey in advance.
Parents should consider:
- Traffic
- Road conditions
- Weather
- Parking or drop-off arrangements
- Public transport availability
- Time required to locate the examination centre
It is better to arrive early than to risk being late.
18. What should parents do after dropping off their child?
Since parents are not permitted to enter the examination centre, they should follow the instructions given by examination officials.
Parents should avoid creating unnecessary pressure immediately before the examination.
19. Should parents compare their child with other students?
No.
Avoid statements such as:
- “Your friend studied more than you.”
- “You must get the highest marks.”
- “You have to enter a famous school.”
Instead, encourage the child to concentrate on answering the questions carefully.
20. Is the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination important?
Yes, it is an important national examination for many Sri Lankan students.
However, parents should also remember that a child's education and future are much bigger than one examination.
The most useful support parents can provide is encouragement, preparation and emotional support.
Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2026 – Quick Checklist for Parents
Before leaving home, check:
☐ Examination/admission documents
☐ Pencils
☐ Eraser
☐ Sharpener
☐ Other permitted stationery
☐ Water, if permitted
☐ Correct examination centre
☐ Travel route
☐ Enough travel time
☐ No mobile phone or smartwatch for the examination hall
☐ Child has eaten breakfast
☐ Child is calm and comfortable
Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 2026 – Important Times
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Recommended arrival | Around 8:30 a.m. |
| Paper II | 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. |
| Break | 10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. |
| Paper I | 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
The Department of Examinations has advised candidates to arrive one hour before the examination begins.
Final Message to Parents
The night before the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, the most important things are rest, preparation and confidence.
Make sure your child knows where the examination centre is, prepare the necessary items and allow enough time for the journey.
On examination morning, avoid unnecessary pressure. A simple message such as:
“Do your best, read carefully and don't panic.”
can be more helpful than another hour of last-minute studying.
Good luck to all Grade 5 Scholarship Examination 2026 candidates across Sri Lanka. ❤️
