Bengaluru: The All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) has approached states for approval on implementing a single entrance examination model for all engineering courses, similar to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), held for medical courses now. If approved, it will lead to a single, nationwide engineering entrance test from 2019, said AICTE vice-chairman M.P. Poonia. He also hinted that a separate body will be set up by the central government to conduct the test.
‘Ensure parity’ Such a test is expected to reduce the burden on candidates, but educationists and students warn that various parameters should be considered before going ahead with it.
Prof Surya Varchasvi, a faculty member at CMRIT, said that a unified syllabus for all higher secondary schools or PU level colleges across the country should be ensured before introducing the test.
“A single exam looks good on paper, but regional interests should also be considered when question papers are set. This will ensure that no special preference is allowed for candidates from any particular region or syllabus.
A unified syllabus for at least maths, science and tech-related subjects in schools at the higher secondary level should be put in place to ensure parity in the test,” he said.
Shravan Kumar, co-convener, VTU Students’ Struggle Committee, said that the decision might adversely affect rural students as their ability to communicate ideas in an aptitude test would not be the same as their counterparts from Tier-I cities. “Such students might be forced to attend coaching classes for better results. But on the other hand, students can gain by exams conducted fairly. Prescribed textbooks from each state should be considered while setting the questions,” he said.
For Gawtham S., a first-year PU student and aspiring engineer, such a test will force students to learn more outside textbooks. The common test will ensure admission only to interested students with required aptitude levels, he said.
