With more students scoring centum in mathematics and science subjects in the Plus Two examinations this year, the competition will become tougher as cut-off marks for both medicine and engineering are expected to go up.
Last year, only 36 students scored centum in Physics. This year, the number has jumped to 2,710. Again in mathematics, 3,882 students have scored centum this year, against 2,352 last year. Only in chemistry does the number stand at 200.
“In medicine, the race will be tougher in the BC category. The competition will be tough in the 198-198.25 segment,” says a senior official of the Directorate of Medical Education. Last year, the cut-off was 186 for the SC/ST category.
With more students scoring hundred in physics and mathematics, the cut-off is expected to go up by 0.5 to 0.75 marks for MBBS/BDS. “Last year, the cut-off for the BC category was 197. This year, it will be 197.75 marks,” says Jayaprakash Gandhi, an educational consultant.
Although the fewer students have scored centum in computer science — 993 against 1,469 last year — the increase is not expected to bring the cut-off marks significantly down for favoured engineering courses. “The cut-off for top engineering colleges/courses will increase by 0.25-0.5 marks,” Mr. Gandhi says.
A senior official of Anna University says that for top-rung colleges, the cut-off may go up by one mark; since there are enough engineering seats, there is no need to worry. “Cut-off is only relative grading. Last year, more seats went vacant. This year, that may not happen as we have revised the curriculum. With more colleges in districts, women students will also join in larger numbers,” the official adds.
The cut-off has increased by one mark for agriculture courses, too. A similar scene has emerged for paramedical and arts and sciences courses. Moorthy Selvakumaran, another educational consultant, says more than 30,000 students have scored 60 per cent and above this year, bringing more high-scoring students to arts and science colleges.
Students in the commerce stream, already competitive, also face an uphill task as more than 1,500 students have scored centum this year. In accountancy too, 600 more students have scored centum this year than last year.
“Students should apply for pure science, arts or commerce subjects and not wait for admission to professional courses. It is better to be assured of college admission first and then look for better options,” Mr. Gandhi says.
