Test of English nothing to fear for book-lovers

If you have made up your mind to study English literature, then be ready to appear for an entrance exam, say experts

If you have made up your mind to study English literature, then be ready to appear for an entrance exam. Most colleges in Delhi University conduct tests. The examination is only designed to test your writing and analytical skills.

"Students do not need to prepare for the entrance test at all. It is a basic test of language skills," said Meera Ramchandran, principal of Gargi College. She said those who are fond of reading would not find the tests difficult.

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Manaswini Yogi, media coordinator, Indraprastha College, said, "Students usually get good marks in English. But the board syllabus is different from the literature taught in University That is why . we need to test their writing and analytical skills."

At IP College, 30 per cent weightage is given to class 12th marks and 70 per cent to the test. "We were one of the first to start the tests. We discontinued the process a few years ago. After three years, we found the quality of intake had gone down, so we reverted back to the exam last year," Yogi said.

"We want to check the ability of students to respond to literary work," Ramachandran said, adding, "There would be some component of creative writing."

There are a lot of misconceptions regarding the course. Some students feel it would help them brush their language skills. The course only offers the student a broad understanding of literature, said Siddharth Kanojia, Department Head, Hindu College.