The Royal University of Bhutan took over the selection into tertiary education programmes from Royal Civil Service Commission in 2005. The selection was done at that time on merit using total aggregate of English + 3 best subjects as criteria. The first phase, of the selection using English + 3 best subjects selection system was upgraded into ability rating selection system in 2006.

The Ability Rating System was introduced and implemented for two years 2006 and 2007 selection into tertiary education programmes. The Algorithm using Ability Rating System was implemented for the third time by introducing on-line application and admission system (instead of face to face selection). It was upgraded and implemented in 2008 Academic year. This procedure was continued in 2009, however the selection has to be implemented within March to allow for the B.Ed. programme in the Colleges of Education to start and complete in December for the graduates to join the Ministry of Education.