Soon, SAT-like exam may open gates for college

Updated on: Thursday, December 23, 2010

Imagine entering a university without cracking an entrance test. Three years from now, Class XII or pre-university passouts may get to seek admission to degree courses based on a national aptitude test. India is working on a SAT-like assessment and aptitude test to allow class XII passouts gain university entry.

SAT Reasoning Test is gold standard for college admissions in the US. The test assesses how well the examtakers analyse and solve problems. “We are looking at US-like system where there will be a series of national aptitude tests for each stream which students can take. Universities can admit students based on these test results,” S C Khuntia, joint secretary (school education), HRD ministry, announced at the annual Sahodaya conference here a few days ago.

Khuntia said a national testing agency could be set up to conduct these exams round the year and several existing entrance exams could be merged into this agency. Individual state boards and universities will have to take a call on this proposal.

Till now, only CBSE has given an option to students of not writing the Class X exams. “Over two-thirds of the students have said ‘no’ to Class X board exams conducted by the CBSE this year. Subsequently, this will also be extended to Class XII students,’’ Khuntia said. “Except for a couple of students, almost everybody has opted out of the Class X Board exams. If we can do away with multiple entrance exams, it will reduce students’ burden,’’ Savinder Kaur, head, Salwan Public School (Gurgaon) said.

Soon, SAT-like exam may open gates for college

More Education news