Cut-off marks in some of the most sought after pre-university colleges are set to increase for the academic year 2017-18. Despite the SSLC pass percentage declining this year, college managements who have already received applications state that more students have secured higher ranks this year.
M. Prakash, Director of Studies, Seshadripuram Group of Institutions, said that the cut-off marks are likely to increase by 1 or 2% for admissions this academic year. “We have received nearly 700 applications for PU colleges. Many applicants have scored above 90%,” he said, and added that the first lists for the Science and Commerce fields will stop at 92-93%. “However, students need not worry as even those with around 88% in Commerce and 86% in Science can get seats later,” he said. Last year, however, the same college had an 87% cut off for Commerce and 85% for Science.
A.V. Chandrashekar, principal, PES PU College, said that he expected science cut-off marks to increase by 2% and that of Commerce to go up by 5%. But this trend is likely to play out only in top colleges. Those that are not in demand may see the entry cut-offs drop.
K.R. Manjunath, general secretary, Karnataka State PU College Principals’ Association, said that students should not be disheartened if they do not get into the college of their choice, but should focus on the selecting the combination of subjects they prefer.
Many tier-II colleges may admit students on a first come, first served basis and publish merit lists. “These colleges will look at the number of seats they have to fill and set a benchmark. Students who have more marks than a particular cut-off will get direct admission,” he said.
However, C. Shikha, director, Department of Pre-University Education, said that it was mandatory for all colleges to admit students only after publishing a merit list. Many PU colleges, particularly those that also offer coaching for CET and NEET, filled their management quota seats before the SSLC results were announced.
