So now it’s going to be even tougher. After the HRD ministry has planned to have an ‘add-on’ National Aptitude Test to select candidates to re-appear for another test to clear IITs and other top engineering institutes. The draconian new exam pattern has left engineering aspirants shocked.
“Instead to make the procedure easy, they are adding a new aspect to the toughest exam. This way we have to put in double efforts to prepare for the IIT entrance as well for this test, separately. And even after preparing for years, if we fail to crack the aptitude test, we lose our chance for IIT. This is totally meaningless,” says Daman Datta, a Class 12 student, Delhi Public School and an engineering aspirant.
As per the reports, scores in NAT would be on raw intelligence, aptitude, general awareness, comprehension and written communication skills, which will not have inputs beyond the plus-2 level. To ease stress, it has been proposed to make NAT, an online test conducted throughout the year and the selection will be based on marks in NAT and the marks each student scores in science in Class 12 Boards.
But there are a few who think that the NPT will not make any difference. Smitashish Sengupta, another student says, “I don’t think, it will add any pressure. NAT should not require extensive preparation and coaching. We just have to keep ourselves updated with the latest news and information. And, if an engineering student can prepare such a voluminous course, this will add no extra pressure. However, it will be easy to crack.”
Daman further points out, “As the NPT will be conducted throughout the year, the paper will be different every time. And this way, some might get the same test in a tougher format, while others in an easy one. It will only disturb the grand total marks to appear for the engineering entrance.”
Another engineering aspirant, Nishant Aggarwal says that there should be no reservation criterion in the aptitude test.
He adds, “The NPT should be conducted only if it’s totally merit based. It should not have seats reserved for any category. And even if they set the criterion for it, the cut-off should be above 50 per cent. Although, it gives them a chance to make it for the best colleges, candidates on general seats are left behind. I feel this test should not have any kind of reservation for backward class students.”
As students call for transparency in the test, teachers welcome the initiative. Rajesh Mukherjee, Delhi-based mathematics professor, says, “This is better then the earlier system of a two-stage test. The aptitude test will help screen below-average applicants and select the best students. While preparing for engineering, students only focus on the course structure, this test will help them explore new dimensions and develop general knowledge, which will help them in the long run.”