NEET, JEE Admissions Could Assign 50% Weighage for Board Exam Marks: Big Changes Likely
If the board exam marks for Class 12 were to be given 50% weightage for admissions to the NEET and JEE, this could be one of the bigger changes to the admission system for higher education in India in years.
This proposal is not finalized and is still under consideration. If the government decides to go ahead with it, it could modify the admission system for medical and engineering colleges for students in India in a big way.
What Justifies the Need for Such a Change?
There have been many complaints about the reliability of the examination system in India and the emergence of evaluation flaws and a greater reliance on coaching centers. A 9-member committee, established by the Ministry of Education, is reviewing the implementation of reforms of the examination system to relieve students from the pressure of a single, high-stakes entrance examination. The committee is likely to submit its recommendations to the government within a few weeks.
What Reforms Have Been Suggested?
As per the information obtained from sources, the following changes have been included in the reported reforms by the committee:
- Introducing 50% consideration of Class 12 board exam scores for admission merit.
- Continuing the assessment of candidates based on performance in NEET and JEE.
- Entrance exams should gradually begin to cover school study syllabuses to lower the need for coaching.
- Entrance exams should allow for multiple attempts.
Some of the entrance exams may gradually start using on-demand, adaptive, computer-based testing.
What is the Existing Admission System?
Currently, admission to MBBS, BDS, engineering, and a few other professional courses is mostly based on the candidate's score in NEET or JEE. Scores of the board exam only help to determine the candidate's eligibility for the course, provided the candidate meets the cut-off score as prescribed by the concerned admission authority.
What will it mean for the Students?
If the proposal is implemented, it will help further reduce the prominence of a single entrance exam, and will also help to recognize the student's complete academic school performance.
Experts think that this will:
- Motivate students to take Board examinations seriously.
- Reduce unnecessary dependency on coaching institutes
- Improve learning in the classroom.
- Reduce the stress of a single important exam.
However, the proposal will raise the concern of how marks from various educational boards will be equated to ensure uniformity across states. It is anticipated that the concern will be addressed before policy finalization.
Is the Proposal Accepted by the Government?
No. The proposal is still being evaluated. In the coming weeks, the Ministry of Education’s committee is expected to release its final report. The Government will have to approve the recommendations and issue formal guidelines for any changes to the NEET or JEE admission procedures. Until that time, the current admission procedures will remain in effect.
Summary
The intention to incorporate 50% board exam weightage in the NEET and JEE admissions will bring a more decentralised, less exam-focused system of student evaluation. While the recommendations seek to normalize coaching and increase the chances of success, students must note the absence of official declarations to date. JEE and NEET aspirants must also note that the current admission procedures remain in effect and must be followed until the Government issues formal notification of an admission procedures change.
Click Here for More Exams / Admission