Bengaluru: Keeping pace with other tests in the country, the Common Entrance Test for engineering, agriculture, veterinary services and AYUSH seats is likely to go online from 2019, said sources in the Karnataka Examination Authority, which conducts the test taken by lakhs of students every year across the state.
Confirming this, a senior KEA official told Deccan Chronicle that the final decision will be taken at the governing council meeting scheduled for next week. "The KEA has discussed various options for conducting and conceptualising the online model with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), which will develop the software for us," he said. But students gave mixed reaction to the possible change. Most worried were rural students, who expressed difficulty in coping with the computer-based test. Chetan G., a second-year PU student from Belagavi, said that he has not had any exposure to online exams till date. "If the CET goes online from next year, the authorities should first conduct extensive training programmes for students like us, as CET has a big impact on our future," he said.
The KEA official, when asked about the impact on rural students, said that KEA will organise mock tests for candidates before the exam.
“As questions are multiple-choice based candidates will find it easy. All that they have to do is click on the right option,” the officer said.
Educationists, however, welcomed the change. "If CET goes online, it will definitely benefit students as it will guarantee error-free exams, a standard level of difficulty and faster results. The National Testing Agency is soon taking over all competitive exams and it will ensure test centres in rural areas. Once that happens, lack of awareness will not be an issue," said Dr Sridhar G., founder and MD of Deeksha. Mr Sandeep R. Kumar, Program Head, BASE Educational Services, said that while students who are familiar with the online format will find it easy, KEA should ensure no technical glitches take place when the new system is put in place. "To provide ample exposure to all students, at least two mock tests should be conducted. The system too should be error-free as CET is conducted on a large scale," he said.
