Another decision to streamline the “Status quo” of the entrance test system by Kapil Sibal and HRD team. This definitely is a natural migration towards HRD’s focus of having one common entrance test for all students after their class XII. We have overburdened our kids with the number of exams for various schools. Few months back, I was speaking to my niece/nephew both in the class XII and was surprised to learn that they both were appearing in around eight examinations for their engineering entrance.
This whole movement can be compared to the current status of the two of the main US college entrance exams – SAT and ACT has laid out standard process for competing in the entrance exams. Most colleges accept results of either or both exams. These exams are designed to evaluate students overall educational development and his/her ability to complete college-level work. Other than the results of these exams most college value the extracurricular activities outside of the classroom such as sports, arts, science etc. for the admission process. Entrance exams have gone through the era of evolutions in US in attempt to keep the objectivity of the exams and Harvard educated Kapil’s initiatives are geared towards similar thought process.
It definitely appears a practical decision, which makes the process simple and creates an opportunity to compare students’ competitive parity at the same time. This decision makes the logistics very simple for all the participants in this process – CBSE, Students, Parents, Colleges who accepts. It may help (yet to see) student appearing for all papers pay lower fee compare to paying fee for two exams and reduces metal burden of appearing in Physics and Chemistry test twice within few weeks.
A debatable question is how many students remains indecisive about their career choices- Engineering vs. Medical. Who are they? What background are they coming from and what’s required to create awareness among themselves so that they can make informed decision? Are these students coming from underprivileged backgrounds? I welcome your comments/inputs on this point. A strong argument can be presented that Right to Education (RTE) should prepare underprivileged student to compete for the entry at college level. The impact of Right to Education (RTE) will be known only in upcoming years.
How would tutoring sector (schools, coachings etc.) be impacted as a result of this decision? In general physics or chemistry questions for AIPMT are slightly non mathematics base while same for AIEEE have more mathematics base. Will this decision create a new level of physics and chemistry paper? The answer is easy with three options – (1) either it would go AIEEE way, or (2) it would go AIPMT way, or (3) it will be in between. I hope CBSE clarifies this soon enough so that it gives ample time and opportunities to tutoring sector and students to tune themselves and prepare for common exam.
Another interesting question is – Can a student choose medical line after selecting mathematics being primary subject in higher secondary school or similar question goes to engineering line and biology being primary subject? The eligibility criteria of AIEEE says that for B.E./ B. Tech Physics & Mathematics are compulsory subjects, per the guidelines from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Though states generally have opposed the idea of having one common entrance exams across states and center but they are expected to follow suit on this initiative and combine their state level engineering and medical exams. How soon, let’s wait and watch!
