New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) are mulling fora simpler entrance test system. They are all set with the heavy task of repair the selection procedure. The IITs are planning to conduct the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in such a way that it would facilitate them to easily select the best from the lakhs of aspirants and at the same time make the need for coaching surplus.
As per sources, in general, the IITs agree on having an exam pattern that is more aligned to the board exams, which will result in eliminating the need for coaching. Meanwhile, a mathematics professor of IIT-Bombay has found errors of approximately 10 marks in this year's math papers.
Gautam Barua, IIT-Guwahati director said that despite the talk about easing the pressure on students taking the tough admission test, the format of the recently-concluded IIT-JEE 2011 reflected no change since the last year. He also pointed out the larger problem which is to screen ten thousand odd students from the five lakh who apply. He said that the question paper has to be tough to be able to identify the best from such a large number.
IIT-Kanpur being the convener of this year's JEE, director Sanjay Dhande said that the issue of taking steps to do away with coaching has to be handled separately. He also added that there are 44 school boards and it's a very difficult task to find a method to take all of them into consideration. It's a long-term initiative.
Moreover, as for the errors pointed out in the mathematics paper, Dhande said experts are looking into it. He said whatever remedial actions are needed will be announced in a few weeks. Besides, IIT- Bombay director Dewang Khakhar, meanwhile, cautioned that the competitive situation is such, students make a beeline for coaching centres, come what may. Sources has also informed that the Acharya committee, appointed by the HRD ministry last year, suggested admission on the basis of students' combined score of the Class XII exams and a subjective test. However, it was struck down by the IIT council and a new committee was formed.
