DU aspirants confused over common test for English course

Updated on: Thursday, May 28, 2009

New Delhi: Students aspiring to pursue graduation with honours in English in Delhi University are a confused lot as colleges are divided over the issue of a common entrance test for selection to the most sought-after course.

While 12 colleges are participating in the Combined Aptitude Test for English (CATE), the common entrance being held by the university for the first time on June 17 at four venues, over 30 colleges will take students on basis of marks obtained by them in the Class XII exam.

'We are getting a lot of queries from the students who want to know about the criteria of admission in those colleges which are not participating in the CATE,' Prof S K Vij, Dean of Students' Welfare said.

Students are also anxious about the formula to be adopted by colleges regarding weightage on CATE marks and their Class XII marks for selection for the course.

Given the confusion among students, the university will hold a dedicated open day session on May 29 to counsel them about the new procedure.

The university is for the first time holding CATE this year to 'save the students from the hardship they had to face during individual entrance tests of different colleges'.

The move, however, does not seem to have gone down well with the colleges. While only 12 colleges have agreed to accept CATE scores for admitting students, many others like Lady Shri Ram, Hans Raj, Kirori Mal and Ramjas have not accepted the varsity's proposal.

The are at least 46 colleges under Delhi University which are offering English (Hons) course. The university has asked them to select students on the basis of marks obtained by students in the Class XII examination.

University authorities expect that more colleges may join the procedure from next year. University counsellors,through Open Days, helplines and email replies, are trying to clear the misconceptions among the students.

Vij said CATE has been introduced as till 2007, students had to run college to colleges to write tests for admission in English Hons courses as 18 odd colleges were conducting there individual tests.

'The common aptitude test is being introduced with an idea to reduce the burden of the students as well as select best students for the English literature course,' he said.

Authorities said the aptitude score list of all the candidates who have taken the test will be sent to participating colleges who can then decide their respective cut-off marks for admission. They will give 70 per cent weightage on CATE and 30 per cent for 10+2 marks.

Kalvimalar

DU aspirants confused over common test for English course

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