Stop changes in IIT exam format

The Joint Entrance Examination for the Indian Institutes of Technology will be a simpler test in 2007, writes K. Subramanian.

The Indian Institute of Technology-Joint Entrance Examination or the IIT-JEE is conducted annually by the IITs for the admission to one of its seven branches. The IITs are internationally well-known for its B.Tech., B.Pharm., B.Arch., M.Tech., and M.Sc. programmes.

A year after the Indian Human Resource Department did away with the multiple exam pattern and announced a single-stage entrance test, the JEE-2007 is set for further simplification.

The exam will be held next April 8. Instead of three papers on physics, chemistry and mathematics, it will have just two papers, which will include questions from all the three disciplines. Each paper will be of three hours' duration.

In a press release to the media recently, the Joint Admission Board that conducts the JEE, said: "JEE-2007 will be a single-stage objective-type examination consisting of two papers of three-hour duration each to test comprehension and analytical ability of the candidates."

Less stress

Speaking at a press conference where the heads of all seven IITs were present, IIT Mumbai director Ashok Misra said, "The idea is to reduce stress further. The total number of testing hours and the total marks, however, remain the same."

However, in the score cards that the IITs will give students, marks for physics, chemistry and maths will be specified separately. Following this, shortlisted students will be counselled to help them select their stream.

IIT officials said the decision to hold two exams instead of three would also be in line with easing security measures. "Instead of carrying three trunks and ensuring their safety so that there is no paper leak, we will now have to merely take care of two trunks," said Misra.

Centres in the Middle East

As part of the plan to draw talent from overseas, the IITs are also setting up exam centres in Singapore and the Middle East, officials said. A quota of 10 per cent, over the current capacity, has been set for international students. At present, most IITs take about three to four international candidates annually. The new limit is a great opportunity for engineering aspirants from the UAE, Oman and Bahrain.

"It's time we open our doors to foreign nationals. The IITs have been getting very few foreign candidates," Misra said.

The IITs charge $4,000 (Dh14,692) per year as fee for international students.

Students from Saarc (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries are charged $2,000 (Dh7,346).

WHAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE EXAM

- In the new exam format, instead of three papers - one each on physics, chemistry and mathematics, there will be two papers with questions from physics, chemistry and maths.

- Each paper will be of three hours' duration.

- Candidates can now attempt the IIT-JEE only twice - measure introduced from this year.

- Candidates who get admission in IT-BHU and ISM Dhanbad through the JEE will not be allowed to sit for the test again

- New exam centres are being established in Singapore and the Middle East to attract international students. Watch this space for an update on the Middle East centre as soon as Notes gets more information from the authorities.

- General category candidates must secure at least 60 per cent in their qualifying examination. People who are physically challenged, and those belonging to Indian Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes must secure a minimum of 55 per cent.

The Indian Institutes of Technology

They are recognised and respected the world over for their standard of excellence and are ranked among the top institutes internationally. They offer four-year B.Tech., B.Pharm. and five-year B.Arch., M.Tech., and M.Sc. programmes. Its campuses are located in New Delhi, Guwahati , Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai, Mumbai and Roorkee. The Institute of Technology, Benares Hindu University (IT-BHU) Varanasi and Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad also selects students on the basis of the JEE.

- The writer is the head of the Dubai branch of Career Launcher, one of India's largest education companies.