95% easier, but tougher to get DU

More than 1,200 students have scored more than 95 per cent in the CBSE Class XII exams. But these high numbers in the top percentage brackets mean getting admission into DU colleges will get tougher. Ritika Chopra reports. Brighter students, higher scores | Marks and markers

More than 1,200 students have scored more than 95 per cent in the CBSE Class XII exams. Of them 288 are from Delhi, up from 180 last year.

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For the students, their parents and schools, this is a reason for celebration.

But these high numbers in the top percentage brackets mean getting admission into Delhi University colleges will get tougher. And that's not just for students who've done badly.

With the large numbers of students above the 90 per cent mark, the already high cut-offs (or qualifying marks) for popular DU courses will go up, specially in coveted colleges.

"Some would attribute better performance to an increase in the number of students. In spite of that, there has been a rise in the number scoring above 95 per cent," said a CBSE official, requesting anonymity.

College principals are not dismissing the possibility of cut-offs soaring further this year.

"If the results are better than last year's then obviously competition will be tougher this time," said PC Jain, principal, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC).

"If not an increase in cut-offs, then the chances of a second list will be very slim," he added. Last year SRCC, pitched its Commerce and Economics cut-offs at 95.25 per cent and 96.5 per cent.

The qualitative improvement in performance, according to Board Chairman Vineet Joshi, is because of the change in the pattern of the question papers.

"We have consciously tried to change from memory-based questions to ones that test a child's analytical ability. Plus, the marking scheme too has been made less subjective to benefit students," said Joshi.