Now age bar for JEE aspirants

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, September 11, 2007
THE WEST Bengal Joint Entrance Examination (WBJEE) is set to witness a slew of changes from next year. After barring state outsiders from taking the exam, the WBJEE board has decided to introduce a new age bar. Those aiming to crack the JEE will have to be aged between 17 and 24.
This will be for the first time that WBJEE will have age restriction. So long there was no restriction on age or the number of attempts for WBJEE aspirants. “We wanted to restrict the number of attempts to three, but did not go ahead with it on the request of several student organisations. Now, we have decided that as long as a student is between 17 and 24 years of age he can take JEE,” said N. R. Banerjea, board chairman.
The board has also decided to change the exam pattern. JEE had introduced multiple-choice questions (MCQ) from 2005. But in 2008, there will be 80 per cent MCQ and 20 percent objective type questions. “The objective type questions will have to answered in one to three words,” Banerjea said.
Engineering aspirants, however, will have to score 50 per cent marks in Class XII board exam with a combination of physics, chemistry and mathematics. Passing in all these three subjects will be necessary.
“Till date only the medical aspirants had to score 50 per cent combining physics, chemistry and biology but now engineering aspirants will also have to achieve that score,” he said Banerjea. He added they must pass in English.
In JEE 2008, both medical and engineering aspirants will have to take physics and chemistry exam of 50 marks each. In addition, aspiring medicos will have to take a biology test and for engineering aspirants it will be mathematics.
“Unlike 2007, in 2008 JEE we will give extra weightage to any subject as the total marks for each subject has been decided according to its emphasis,” said Banerjea.
He said in view of the medical scam and bar on outstation students domicile certificates would be strictly monitored.
To make the exam system foolproof there would be no centres outside Bengal. The only exception would be Agartala.
“We have formed six sub-committees to take care of various aspects of the exam process,” Banerjea said. The committees will also decide on introducing elements like taking fingerprints of students to zero in on nab fake candidates. “The sub-committees will give their suggestion by September end and only then a final decision will be taken,” he added.
Mou.Chakraborty@hindutsantimes.com