Intermediate examinations will surely be conducted separately, but the Telangana government is in favour of a combined Engineering Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (Eamcet) for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Telangana Education Minister G. Jagadish Reddy reacted favourably on the issue stating that conducting combined Eamcet was not an issue for them. The format of the exam is such that there is little scope for malpractice or at least favouritism, a criticism that haunted Intermediate exams and its valuation.
The idea is not to expose students to too many exams for one admission process. As per the A.P. Reorganisation Act, admission procedures in the professional colleges in both the States have to be maintained for 10 years so that students don’t lose an opportunity to study in the preferred colleges in both the States. However, both the governments can sit and sort out on retaining the present entrance tests or conduct their own.
Mr. Reddy told this correspondent that conducting common Eamcet was not a problem and the governments of both States can sit and discuss it. If it happens, students would be saved from writing an additional test for entry into same colleges in both States. Both States have to continue the 15 per cent non-local (unreserved) quota as per the Reorganisation Act for 10 years. When students are already burdened with JEE and other national-level entrance tests, it would be better if they are spared from appearing an additional test is the opinion of many aspirants and their parents.
Moreover, Eamcet has emerged as almost a fool-proof test adopting online processes from submitting applications to valuation. “There is little scope for bias in awarding marks as valuation is not done manually but by the computer,” a senior official agreed. Eamcet marks are highly relevant for medical and agricultural courses given the few seats against huge demand, and good colleges existing in both States.
Separate exam may also create problem in filling up the non-local quota seats as the quota seats are open to both local and non-local students and those with better merit will grab the seat. Considering the scores of two different exams will be difficult for the same seats to be filled on common merit, it is pointed out.
