Presidency University has clustered its undergraduate admission tests in some subjects so candidates don’t have to write separate papers.
A notice on the university’s website says the candidates who want to secure admission in economics, statistics or math have to answer a mix of math and English questions. The math questions will be of 80 marks and English questions 20 marks.
Malayendu Saha, chairman of the state joint entrance examination (JEE) board which conducts the admission tests of Presidency, said earlier a student had to appear in separate tests for the subjects he or she wanted to study honours in.
“This year the students who want to study honours in economics, statistics or math have to answer Paper III, which will have questions from math and English. If a student cracks the test, he or she will be given a rank based on which he or she can opt for any of the three subjects. Admissions will be preceded by counselling,” Saha told The Telegraph.
Similarly, the students who want to study honours in chemistry, physics or geology have to write Paper VI, which will have questions from mathematics (40 marks), physics (30 marks) and chemistry (30 marks).
Those who want to study honours in philosophy, sociology or performing arts have to appear for Paper X, whose syllabus includes basic English (50 marks), logical reasoning (30 marks) and general knowledge (20 marks).
Dibyendu Kar, registrar of the board, said this year the board would hold admission tests in 10 papers for 16 subjects, instead of 16 papers for as many subjects.
“This decision will favour the candidates because earlier they could apply for only two papers. If they wanted to study statistics, they had to write a paper on mathematics. If they wanted to study mathematics, they had to write a paper on mathematics,” Kar said.
“Now a candidate is free to apply to write Paper-III, Paper-VI and Paper-X. If one cracks all three tests, he or she becomes eligible to opt for anyone of the nine subjects,” he said.
“A candidate can write maximum three papers after paying an application fee of Rs1,000,” Kar said.
Presidency has resumed admission tests this year. They are scheduled for May 20 and 21.
The admission tests could not be held over the past three years because of the Covid pandemic.
