The IITs? plan to add a subjective component to their selection process is a welcome move, in line with the systems adopted by international standardised tests like the GRE and GMAT. Since 2005-06, the IIT Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) has been in a multiple-choice format, which many experts and professors say is much easier to crack by students. The argument is that the numerous coaching centres opened to help students crack the JEE teach them tricks to pick the right answer without really demonstrating their knowledge or ability. So, the IITs argue, the quality of students being admitted has been falling, something that has been mentioned before by several education experts in the light of Jairam Ramesh?s comments that it was the faculty that was lacking. The new format the IITs are planning to introduce is of two parts: an initial multiple-choice test followed by an in-depth, three-paper evaluation of the top 50,000 performers who clear the first test. Even the earliest forms of the GRE did not have a subjective component, but they fixed that by 2002, when they introduced an analytical writing section. Similarly, the GMAT is also predominantly multiple-choice, but a clear emphasis is made on the essay writing component.
The multiple-choice format offers a standard method of testing students (much needed in India), but it is the subjective component that sets the best apart. However, the IITs must keep in mind that most business schools abroad don?t stop testing their applicants with just the GMAT, they conduct interviews to further gauge their quality. The IITs should consider this for their admissions process. Also, the weaknesses of the JEE aren?t the only reason behind the IITs? falling standards; a paucity of teachers (between 15-40% in different IITs) adds to this, another area that needs to be addressed. But this is definitely a good first step.
