To give or not to give? Students in Common Entrance Test bind

Many students are worried about scoring less in the CET than what they got in SSC. File pic

The Common Entrance Test (CET) has created a dilemma for several First Year Junior College (FYJC) aspirants who are struggling to decide whether to appear for it. Registrations for the test have commenced and so has the confusion surrounding it. The foremost concern for parents and students is that if they do take the test, what if they score less than their SSC marks?

It is for the first time that FYJC admissions will be determined by a CET as the SSC results were declared without an exam amid the Covid-19 pandemic. As per the regulations, those with a CET score will be given preference in FYJC admissions, but the test is optional. Those without a CET score will be eligible for admissions on their SSC score but their turn will come after the CET-based admissions. But the rest of the admission process is still shrouded in mystery.

Parent Vaishali Sawant said, "My son scored 78 per cent in SSC but is unsure how he will perform in CET. We are not sure if he should register for CET. What if he gets a lower score? In such a situation, can we go back to the SSC score for admission?"

This has become a major concern and students are afraid of not performing well in CET. "Many students are more than satisfied with their SSC marks and are more than willing to go ahead with it for FYJC admission. Anyway, this is a concern for those vying for admission to specific colleges and in cities," shared Anubha Shrivastava from India Wide Parents' Association.

Also read: Mumbai: SSC results over, but now CET looms ahead

On the one hand, where there are voices expressing concerns, there are some who are certainly going to appear for the CET.

Srirang Samant, a parent from Dadar, said, "My daughter was definitely expecting more than what she got in the SSC result. This CET will be her chance to do better and seek admission in a college of her choice, especially since those with CET will be given preference."

All parents have, however, asked for more clarity on the admission procedure so that they can make an informed choice.

Issue only in cities

While Director of Secondary Education Dinakar Temkar was unavailable to comment, a senior officer from the directorate, who did not want to be named, said, "The CET is optional, but it is already clarified that those having a CET score will be given preference in FYJC admission and those with only SSC score will follow. But it is important to note that this would be an issue only in cities such as Mumbai, Pune and others, where there are ample options, some more desirable than others. With or without a CET score, all students are going to get admissions."

Apart from the fear of not getting the desired college, many are also aiming for colleges near their residence considering the pandemic.