In a move that will enable the HRD Ministry to go forward with examination reforms, a majority of states on Wednesday gave an ‘in principle approval’ to the new common entrance exam format that will replace the AIEEE and JEE from 2013.
However, the nomenclature will stay. On request from IIT directors it has been decided that the name of JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) will continue to be used for the test rather than the proposed Indian Science Engineering Eligibility Test.
The new JEE and a minimum of 40 per cent weightage to school board scores will decide admissions to all Central government-run engineering institutes, IITs, NITs, IIITs, starting 2013.
This new JEE, as reported first by The Indian Express, will be held twice a year, in April/May and November /December, and the plan is to hold it at least three-four times a year, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said Wednesday.
The new JEE will consist of two parts — Main, an objective type exam to test comprehension, critical thinking and logical reasoning, and Advance to test problem-solving ability in basic science. Together they will indicate a candidate’s scholastic level and aptitude for science and engineering. The scores will be valid for two years and a student will have three-four attempts to improve them.
“While the exam will be conducted by the CBSE, the quality of the exam will be maintained with IIT professors and other academics devising it,” Sibal said.
Most states expressed appreciation for the new format and said they would use it for admission to their engineering colleges, but Tamil Nadu had reservations. The state gives 100 per cent weightage to school board scores and intends to continue doing so. Bengal, Orissa, Himachal Pradesh and Puducherry have sought more time to look into the proposal.
The modalities of the new JEE will be worked out and the proposal will be taken to the Central Advisory Board of Education and the IIT Council for final approval. via Indian Express
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