Students Prefer Entrance Test Over Cut-offs for Admission to DU

Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui

The exam season is upon us, and the coveted prize that follows the board exams is an admission into Delhi University.

Media reports had earlier suggested that DU will likely switch to entrance based examinations for its undergraduate courses in 2019. On 22 December, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar announced otherwise, and said that there will be no entrance test for the coming year. This, however, counters young aspirants’ expectations who were majorly in favour of an entrance test.

Young citizen journalists told The Quint what DU’s decision could mean for them.

Most students echoed the sentiment that a single piece of paper could not decide one’s future. Others said that students who wouldn’t scored well in their Board exams would get another chance and an opportunity to prove themselves.

An entrance is also a choice for all types of students.

“Entrance is a better option for students as it will be fair for both categories. Those who are good at academics and have performed well in their Boards, a percentage of their marks secured in Class 12 will be considered. Second, students who are good at practical knowledge and application-based questions, they can do well in the entrance.”

Rudrakshi Sharma from Delhi

What About Students From Outside Delhi?

Students also told us that their is a lack of uniformity across State boards and an entrance would in fact help remedy this problem.

“Cut-offs as the sole criteria to determine who gets an admission is biased, as different Boards have different approaches when it comes to awarding marks.”

Shayonee from Mumbai

Devashish Gaur from Bikaner said that an entrance would bring transparency.

Another obvious concern is the high cut-offs, which seem to rise each year.

A student said that education should be about awarding skills.

“Education should be related to quality and skills we are learning rather than evaluating it solely on marks.”

Radhika Ramdeo from Jodhpur

(All 'My Report' branded stories are submitted by citizen journalists to The Quint. Though The Quint inquires into the claims/allegations from all parties before publishing, the report and the views expressed above are the citizen journalist's own. The Quint neither endorses, nor is responsible for the same.)