Common engineering exam gets states’ nod
The states have given 'in principle' nod to the proposal for a common national examination for engineering from 2013 with weightage to state board results normalised on the basis of percentile formula. HT reports.
The states have given 'in principle' nod to the proposal for a common national examination for engineering from 2013 with weightage to state board results normalised on the basis of percentile formula.
This endorsement, fundamentally aimed at reducing the multiplicity of entrance examinations and the stress level in children, was made after wide ranging deliberation with the state education ministers at a conference chaired by HRD minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday. Major boards, including CBSE and ICSE, have already endorsed the new model of exam. From 2013, admissions to IITs and NITs will have three components — board exam scores, a main exam and an advanced exam. The IITs and other central institutes have already proposed to give 40% weightage to board exam marks. The student can appear twice in the exam.
Initially it is proposed to have two exams in a year for IITs. The first such common entrance exam will be held in April or May 2013 and the second in November or December 2013. The frequency of the exams will be increased gradually.
The formula for equalisation of marks has been prepared in consultation with the Indian Statistical Institute.
Some states have raised the issue of conduct of exam in regional languages. It was clarified that the exam will be conducted in English and Hindi but where the states intended to use the same examination for admission to state engineering institutions, it could also be conducted in the regional language of the state.