In the midst of what can now certainly be called 'DU-mania', certain sections have suggested that Delhi University adopt an examination system for different courses. The standard argument is that the Class XII boards are (1) varying in the scoring pattern across different central and state boards (2) an unreliable indicator of a student's aptitude for a given subject (3) unnecessarily causing runaway inflation in the cut-off's.However, I believe that for a University aspiring to be world-quality, conducting its own admission test is going to be suicidal. My argument is primarily two - fold. Firstly, any aspiring world-quality University has to have a very strong research base. That requires the cumulative efforts of several faculty members. If the DU does conduct its own entrance exam, then a major drain on the faculty's time would be to ensure that the examination is able to select the most deserving candidates. The alternative is to outsource the job, like the IIMs have done in recent years. However, there is a marked distinction between the IIMs and DU. While the quality difference between the top IIMs and the laggard IIMs is substantial, it isn't hopelessly wide. However, the same cannot be said to be true of DU. Even in today's age, there are courses and colleges that have their cut-off's in the late 60's and early 70's. My argument is that an entrance examination is not really the best idea for the University as a whole, since the university is too large (very aptly characterised by an elephant in the logo).
Secondly, as I have been maintaining for some time, the answer for some of DU's ills might lie in greater decentralisation. Component colleges of DU should be provided with great flexibility to set their admission criteria and course structures. If this is not done, the laggard colleges within DU are going to be too much of a burden on ones that have potential for success.
In conclusion, what is the solution to the sky-high cut-off's that I endorse? I see the answer in restructuring the Class XII boards, bring about greater uniformity and reduce the 'inflation' of grades. If even DU were to quit the Class XII boards, then what would be the significance of these exams? Would we not be better off scrapping these exams then? DU being linked so intricately to school education, in my opinion, is not a bad thing, and this link should be fine-tuned to come out of this mess.
-Subhashish
I totally agree. There are many students who study only for IITs and they even clear those exams which are supposed to be very tough and the same students perform badly in class XII exams which teaches us the basics of the subject. As it is that some students give less importance to class XII, above that if DU- one of the best universities conduct entrance exams then people will definetely focus more on doing well in these exams rather than XII curriculum.. therefore No entrance exams for DU...
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree with you on this one.
ReplyDeleteAs Gaurav, if there are entrance exams for DU, then again we would have a commercialised aspect here too... we would have line of substitutes of Fitjee and Aakash for the students. As it is, the very essence of 12std is being erroded and that is so sad. We would be starting with a similar pattern for the social sciences and the liberal arts as well, if DU has exams for admissions.
ReplyDeleteGood one. Kudos.
Class XII maths should me made tougher. At the moment it's damn easy! And the subject named 'physics' should be removed. It leads to suicidal tendencies! Bloody inorganic thing must be removed from the syllabus.. and economics should be made compulsory instead of english!!! hahaah :) :)
ReplyDeleteGaurav, read Priyanka's comment again - it has got so much to say.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine, a DU entrance test leading to mushrooming of Fitjees and Aakash for students....and in the middle of it .... (Shreya enters and says) --- ENTER EUREKA!
Jalnidh : "commercialised aspect.. hmm..." EUREKA! let's learn online! But I agree with Subhashish on the first point too. Hence I'll stick to my point.. No DU entrance exams! And Jalnidh think, if DU entrance exams then more and more coaching institutes will come.. more competition.. Abhi hi theek hai, less competition. higher probability of succeeding. :p
ReplyDeleteI think they could have an Admissions staff, a permanent admissions staff which would review applications that involve looking at marks subjective to the particular board. Universities in both many countries, some even as large as DU have ditched the examination route for a different approach that involves different criterion for different examination boards, instead of just generalizing and equating all boards (which is remarkably unjust and wrong).
ReplyDeletenice one Shubhi!! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel that CBSE and ISC boards are much responsible for these sky-high cut offs!!
How can university help declaring a 100 % cutoff when students in India are getting 100%!!!!
They need the best..
It's ridiculous how people end up getting 99.5 in subjects like English! The boards should decide to be a little strict in their marking! High time they realize that they need to "REALLY" check the papers!