Some officials at Delhi University recently recommended doing away with the cut-off system for admission. In the absence of cut-offs, the admission to a college will require a candidate to sit for an entrance exam. This change, which seems to be on its way to implementation by 2013, may have its own problems.
DU students think that before implementing this admission process, the varsity should properly ensure the pros and cons involved. Some feel the idea is logical especially after Shri Ram College of Commerce created a new record by declaring 100 per cent cut-off marks for its Economics Honours course last year.
But some are of the opinion that it won’t work for students who want to change their stream for graduation. For example, students who have not studied a particular subject like Economics in school but want to take up the subject for graduation are admitted on the basis of their Class 12 marks. But if this entrance exam is introduced they will compete with Economics students who will have more chances to get through.
“I studied Science and Maths in Class 12 but I wanted to change to Arts in college. So I took up History (Hons). It wasn’t that difficult, as I had scored well in my 12 Boards,” says Sukrita Ahuja, a final year student of History, who thinks that if there’s an entrance, it would be difficult for people like her to get through.
However, Ashbi Kuriakose, an English (Hons) student of Maharaj Agrasen College, says that percentage shouldn’t be the only parameter to judge a student. “Common entrances are a good call. Through these entrances the university can select students who have an aptitude for the subject. Giving Boards and being a part of this rat race is already a pressure, so an entrance exam wouldn’t be a big deal,” says Ashbi, who gave CATE (Common Aptitude Test for English) and got into Eng (Hons.).
Saurabh Mutreja, a second year student of B.Sc Physical Science, Hindu College, says that entrances are always a better option. “If need be, students can sit for more than one entrance to check their aptitude and find their calling. The entrances won’t only give the University the right student but also give students an opportunity to find their heart’s calling,” says Saurabh.
On the contrary, Vrinda Gupta, a BSc (Hons) Statistics student at Ramjas College, says that it will limit the students’ choices. “My priority was to be in the North campus, no matter what subject I get. A student can’t sit for all the entrances just to keep all the options open. Hence, entrance exams can turn really risky for some,” says Vrinda, who thinks that equal weightage to Board results, aptitude test and a personal interview can be a better idea.