The Indian education system undeniably stresses the importance of the 10th and 12th Board Examinations as the pivotal point of a student’s future career. It is a running statement in families that clear your board exams well, and your future will be set, then you can relax. Most students are unclear of the fact that once they cross the milestone of 10+2, they will have to face a broader competition. For excellence in any field or career, specialization is a founding step. Higher education helps individuals in achieving such specialization. Here are all about the role of entrance examinations in higher education.
After finalizing the ever confounding question on which academic field the student wants to enter, a question arises on how to approach an institution for higher education. The answer to this question of course, varies field to field and institution to institution. Several courses such as B.Sc (H), B.Com (H) and Economics (H) can be entered into on the sole basis of the marks earned in 12th Boards. However, most professional courses require the partake of additional examinations to judge the capability and suitability of a student to the particular course.
Entrance examination is an ironic term as such examinations are the ones gatekeeping the institutions and limiting the entry of students in their respective fields. A successful performance in these examinations is what often makes a successful career. An entrance exam of a subject usually focuses on an array of topics which are deemed significant to that area of study. Illustratively, CLAT, the Common Law Admission Test (undergraduate) as an entrance exam tests its applicants on basics of English language, current affairs and general knowledge, legal reasoning, logical Reasoning, and quantitative techniques. Similarly NEET, a medical entrance examination test, has Physics, Chemistry and Biology as its assessment subjects.
The Role Of Entrance Examinations In Higher Education
The undergraduate entrance exams usually take place a few months after the Higher Senior Secondary exams end. Most educational fields have a central and state common entrance examinations test with additional institutional exam tests. These exams are scheduled one after the other with a few days of gap within two exams. Based on the ranking a student receives in the entrance exams, they are allotted a college/university in the examination’s list of colleges/universities. Some institutions may also require additional interviews or tests post such exams. A student may either accept the institution allotted to him/her or continue to apply to private institutions. Some applicants also choose to take a drop year to diligently prepare for entrance examinations and improve their chances of getting into their dream universities.
With the emphasis given to their Board examinations and societal pressure to perform well in the same, students have frequently been perplexed on which examination they should concentrate on. An ideal representation was made, considering the overall difficulty level of both the exams, that students after their matriculation should begin preparing for both the exams. With this style, students can a few months before their 12th Board exam, only focus on their boards and finish them and then focus on the entrances and finish those successfully. Many students also join competitive examination coaching classes to help them in this endeavour. Such classes are not strictly necessary, however they do provide a helping hand and guidance to students.
It is not always true that a student has a planned career path which he/she wants to pursue and in such cases, preparing for entrance exams post their Board examinations may seem to be an intimidating and herculean task. Nevertheless, in reality, diligent and consistent study of the exam subjects, even for a few months gives the students many opportunities to seize the opportunities they have chased after.
Students who wish to study and pursue their careers abroad have a different path to follow. Students who wish to study in the United States or Canada have to give their SATs (Scholastic Assessment Test). After receiving their results, they can apply to the colleges and universities of their choice. Many colleges also offer scholarships based on SAT scores of students. Students are required to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) examination which tests the basic English skills of listening, reading, speaking, and writing and may be required in predominantly English speaking countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, USA, and Canada.
Entrance examinations form the key role of helping students realize whether a field is attractive and suitable to them and if they would enjoy a career in it. The pressure of scoring well in Board examinations should not dilute the importance of entrance examinations. Visit careerguide now
Frequently Asked Questions
Entrance examinations provide students with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and compete on a level playing field. They allow deserving candidates to gain admission to prestigious institutions solely based on their merit, regardless of other factors like socioeconomic background or personal connections.
While entrance examinations are an important criterion for admission, many institutions also consider other factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal statements, interviews, and letters of recommendation. These additional criteria help provide a holistic assessment of a candidate’s potential.
Entrance examinations are not an absolute guarantee of success in higher education. While they serve as an initial screening process, a student’s success ultimately depends on their dedication, hard work, and ongoing commitment to learning. Entrance examinations are just one piece of the puzzle in the larger academic journey.
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