Date:26/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/26/stories/2005122600570500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Knit it watchfully for best results

R. Ravikanth Reddy

Students seeking admissions to NITs can appear for AIEEE 2006

TIME TO PONDER: AIEEE is a real test of strength for students to understand the problem and solve it using different components. — Photo: Mahesh Harilal

The most preferred destination for budding engineers after the famed IITs are National Institutes of Technology (NITs). The craze for a seat in them has gone up after they were converted into NITs from the earlier Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs). The entry into these illustrious institutions is through the All-India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) for which the notification has been issued recently.

Admissions will be done into 19 NITs and several top technical institutions in the country based on the marks obtained in the AIEEE. Also, admissions to some of the deemed universities will be carried out on the basis of the rank obtained in AIEEE 2006. Students seeking admissions to NITs need not apply to individual NITs but should appear for AIEEE 2006 conducted by the CBSE.

Teachers say that the examination gives equal importance to mathematics, physics and chemistry. The syllabus is the common minimum syllabus drawn from different State boards of school education. Since candidates get not more than a minute to answer a question time management is crucial. "As there is negative marking, candidates have to be careful," a teacher says.

Eligibility

The eligibility for AIEEE 2006 is a 10+2 or equivalent course recognised by the CBSE. The date of examination is April 30.

Only those candidates whose date of birth falls on or after October 01, 1981 are eligible. However, in the case of Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Physically Handicapped (PH) candidates, upper age limit is relaxed by 5 years, i.e. SC, ST and PH candidates who were born on or after October 01, 1976, are eligible.

Scheme of examination

Entrance examination consists of two papers - the first paper consisting of three parts of physics, chemistry and mathematics of equal weightage with objective type questions for BE/B.Tech courses and 2nd paper - consisting of mathematics and aptitude test for B. Architecture and B. Planning.

The aptitude test is designed to evaluate candidate's perception, imagination, observation, creativity and architectural awareness.

There will be objective type questions with four options having single correct answer. For each incorrect response one third of the total marks allotted to the question would be deducted. No deduction from the total score will, however, be made if no response is indicated for an item in the answer sheet.

Negative marking

The candidates are advised not to attempt such item in the answer sheet if they are not sure of the correct response. More than one answer indicated against a question will be deemed as incorrect response and will be negatively marked.

All objective type questions are required to be answered on specially designed machine gradable answer sheets. Answers are to be marked using ballpoint pen (black/blue) only.

Application forms

The application forms can be obtained by post (up to December 30 only) from the Joint Secretary (AIEEE) CBSE, Shiksha Sadan, 17 Rouse Avenue, Institutional Area, Near Bal Bhavan, New Delhi - 110002 by sending a MICR bank draft of Rs.350 for general category and Rs.200 for SC/ST, drawn in favour of the Secretary, CBSE, New Delhi, along with a self-addressed envelope of size 12"x10". One can also apply online (up to January 10 only) by visiting the website www.aieee.nic.in. The last date for the receipt of application at CBSE, New Delhi, is January 14.