With slightly lengthy questions and a moderately difficult Mathematics paper, the Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) 2012 ended up tougher than last year's test, said most students who took the exam here on Sunday.
The exam, held at 1,067 centres across the country, decides admission to nearly 9,618 undergraduate seats at the 15 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). As many as 5.6 lakh aspirants across the country took the test, of which 8,583 were from Tamil Nadu. The exam was held at various centres in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchy and Tirunelveli.
There were quite a few surprises in the test. Questions on rotational mechanics that were not in previous years' papers and fewer organic chemistry questions were some of the features of this year's test, said Abhishek Narayan, a student of P.S. Higher Secondary School.
While the first paper that lasted from 9 a.m. to noon had relatively easy questions, especially in the chemistry section, the second paper in the afternoon, students said, was much more difficult.
P. Sanjay, a student of NIT Trichy, who attempted the exam for the second time, said he wanted to get a branch of his choice in a top IIT. “Also, the paper was for 408 marks this time, not the usual 480. I have to get a good rank otherwise I can't think about wasting a year. The paper, though difficult when compared to last year's, was easier than many previous years',” he said.
Students have always looked forward to sections of the JEE which are exempt from negative marking. “This time we had two such sections in paper 1 and one in paper 2, but one of them was a multiple choice offering more than one right option so we had to fit in and view all the options. That took time,” said Kavya, of DAV Girls Higher Secondary School.
Outside centres, stood anxious parents, for whom this could be just the start of the entrance race. For CBSE students, the IITs and NITs are important because they don't stand much of a chance in counselling, said S. Balasubramanium, a parent.
“JEE is the main exam because IIT is everyone's dream. For many, the other tests are mostly back-up options,” said J. Anthra, who wants to get into IIT- Madras.
This time, the candidates were also given a carbon copy of their answer sheets to compare the assessments. Many parents feel the standard test proposed by the Ministry of Human Resource Development from next year might solve issues that crop up during entrance tests. “My son is taking 12 entrance tests in the next month. I wish these centres would allot a room for waiting parents, or at least let us use the bathrooms,” said Joseph Thiagarajan, a parent from Dindigul.
Last year, from the Madras zone alone, 62,884 students appeared for the test out of which, 2,195 made it to the common merit list. Results are scheduled to be declared on May 18.
Keywords: IIT-JEE, entrance tests, engineering
To select 10,000 students from among five lakh aspirants, the test has to be very tough. It is quite natural. If you try making it very easy, then a situation may arise where every one will qualify the eligibility level and we will end up with admitting only the influential candidates and the whole exercise will become a farce.
With the new proposed system,i am worried for the students who want to take drop and the students living in rural areas.
Just looking at the numbers - there is 1.7 seat available for every 100 aspirants! Amazing Shocking scenario in terms of our infrastructure. We have to remember not every one appears for JEE! Most, i repeat most people who even aspire and appear have been hard working and really aspiring for quality education.
Can the government do some thing, more than just approval of all engineering colleges to be run from basement - set up much higher standard colleges. We are at an all time high golden age- with high youth population in the country. If we make it - we will be developed and a super power by next century, if we dont, we will still be talking about being one with 50% living below poverty!
Educated politicians at the helm of power should only do something!
Thanks to Kapil Sibal and Soniaji! No more tough JEEs from next year !An existing well managed system is going to be exposed to corruption and nepotism soon ! With the new exam, the 50 years efforts of well known Professors of I.I.T are going to a pit, which has no bottom! Alas !
giving tough questions is not a problem.It makes students to think more.But the problem is about the colleges available.So the government should take necessary steps to prevent this....
It is saddening to see the rush for IITs and IIMs. The thought of 'one
exam acting as a make or break' of career/life is just too atrocious
for young students but the problem lies in supply-demand mismatch in
higher education. We need atleast 5 IITs and 5 IIMs (and similarly
institutions in medicine, commerce, arts and other disciplines) in all
major states to cater to the demands of students. Government must take
serious endeavor towards proliferation of higher education
institutions which provide quality education at affordable prices.
Similarly the primary and secondary level infrastructure has to be
revamped. India won't be able to take a quantum leap forward if it is
unable to take the advantage of its demographic-dividend, which seems
impossible without generating enough education, skill-development and
employment generation avenues.
Tougher questions do not affect the selection.It isnot a score making exam.rather a competition
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