The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) will mark a notable change in the college admission system in India. Instead of the marks students get in their 12th standard board examinations, it will be the results of this entrance test that will determine where they get their undergraduate admissions.

Why the CUET?

Cut-offs for the most sought-after colleges have been reaching sky-high numbers for a few years now, and due to heavy competition, even high-scoring students miss their dream colleges by just a whisker. The CUET intends to do away with this factor and to standardize undergraduate admissions across India. Students across the nation will give the same entrance exam for undergraduate admissions for admission to central universities. In 2022, the tests will take place in the first week of July. The application process for the same will begin in April. The timeline has been decided based on the fact that most students’ board examinations will be over by this time.

Who will conduct it?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will be the body responsible for the CUET. This government agency conducts entrance tests across India, for universities such as the University of Delhi (DU) and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

What should we expect?

The CUET will be a multiple choice question format examination, which means that the student will have to select one answer from multiple options (usually four). Further, it will be computer-based. The student will complete the paper using a computer at an examination centre that has been allotted to them. However, it will not be very technologically demanding or require a very high level of proficiency with computers. The NTA aims to make this test process as simple and equitable as possible for the students.

So, will your board exam results marks play no role in undergraduate admissions henceforth?

They may still play a role in deciding which students are eligible for admissions to the universities. A minimum cut-off may be set to decide the same.

So, for those of you looking forward to your undergraduate admissions, all the best! Keep yourself well-informed and well-prepared. Here’s hoping you get to pursue the undergraduate course of your dreams!

Sources:

NDTV

NTA