As more students have performed better in maths, physics and chemistry in Class XII Higher Secondary examinations, and with the cut-off marks expected to go up, the competition for engineering seats in top colleges will intensify this academic year.
An analysis of student scores this year reveals that the number of students with a qualifying score between 200 and 180 has increased considerably compared to the last two years. About 7,500 students have scored 195 and above, a jump of 2,000 compared to last year, and those with 180 and above has gone up by about 4,000 from last year. There are over 10,000 students who have crossed 193 and about 25,000 above the 185 mark competing for engineering seats in prestigious institutions. “The cut-off for engineering will go up by two to three marks,” said Jayaprakash Gandhi, educational consultant. Marks in mathematics could have a huge impact on the prospects of every student applying for engineering. Students scoring 195 and above in mathematics this year is over 13,000 compared to 9,903 last year. As the paper was tough this year, grace marks were given during valuation, he noted, adding that this would have certainly helped the students.
As many as 120 students have scored 200 out of 200 in engineering this year compared to 31 in 2010 and 44 in 2009. “In fact, the number of centums in the three subjects has crossed 100 after a gap of five years,” said Nedunchezhian D of Technocrats IndiaCollegeFinder. Out of these 120 students, 38 scored centum in maths, physics, chemistry and biology, he said.
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As seats in medical colleges have not increased considerably, students with high scores in biology could also opt for engineering, analysts say. This year, 3,761 students have scored 195 and above in biology, more than two times last year's number.
Analysing the engineering cut-off data from 2005 in the range of 195-200, Mr. Neduchenzhian said the number of students scoring in that range had increased considerably over the years to inch close to 7,500 this year. The highest ever in this category was 2005, when 8,835 scored above 195. The final cut-off marks will be determined after the All India Council for Higher Education (AICTE) clears applications of over 30 top engineering colleges which have sought additional courses and seats this academic year, say analysts.
Meanwhile, Anna University is in consultation with the Higher Education Department to finalise the dates of sale of applications and counselling sessions for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions (TNEA) 2011. The date for sale of applications is tentatively fixed at May 16, university officials said.
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