Maharashtra announces common exam for Std X passouts

Students who don’t appear for the CET will be given seats after initial phase of admissions for those with a CET score. Representation pic

In a first-ever instance, the First Year Junior College (FYJC), that is Std XI, admissions will be based on a Common Entrance Test (CET). State Education Minister Varsha Gaikwad made the announcement on Friday after declaring an SSC evaluation formula. This examination will be optional and students will be allowed to apply for FYJC admissions based on their Std X score, but candidates with a CET score will be given preference.

It has been the most unusual academic year for the education sector, thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic. After Std X exams were cancelled, all eyes were set on how FYJC admissions will be held. "The CET for FYJC admissions will be a two-hour exam for 100 marks. It will have multiple choice objective-type questions based on the state board curriculum," stated a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the State Education Department on Friday. While adding that it will be an optional exam, the GR stated, "In the FYJC admissions process, in the first stage, those who appeared for CET will be given admissions. Later, for remaining seats, those who do not appear for the test will be given admissions."

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"This optional CET will be for all board students seeking admissions to FYJC in Maharashtra. Students with a CET score will be given preference," said Gaikwad,
adding that after the SSC result declaration by June end, the further process of CET will be declared.

While the decision to declare SSC results based on internal evaluation has brought relief for lakhs of students and parents, the CET has become another source of anxiety. "The CET for FYJC admissions has led to more stress. Now students will have to study again. Most importantly, it will be based on the state board curriculum, which means additional stress for non-state board students," said Sunita Gole, a parent from Dahisar.

Anubha Shrivastava, from the India Wide Parents Association, said, "At the top of the list of questions around CET is its timing. They haven't specified when this CET will be held. And what if the situation does not get better by then? Are we again going to put the academic year on hold? Meanwhile, non-state board junior colleges have already begun studies."

A reassuring message

Attempting to reduce students' anxiety, Francis Joseph, president of SLN Global Network, said, "The state board curriculum is not very different from other boards. Broad learning outcomes are defined by NCERT which are followed by all. In current times of uncertainty, students and parents from non-state board schools wanting to take admission to state board junior colleges are bound to feel anxious. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about. This is a learning curve for every board."