Bangalore: It was noon and the paper for physics and chemistry, a combined paper, was just over at an exam centre for the Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMED-K) undergraduate entrance test.

Many students at the centre were from outside Karnataka. Most wanted a medical seat and a few wished to do an engineering course.

There were candidates from Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Delhi, Haryana, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Some said the chemistry paper appeared to have been based on the syllabus in Karnataka schools and not tuned to the CBSE syllabus.

Asked about the high fees they may be charged, Anurag from Lucknow said: "Private colleges do not get aid from the government so they have to charge higher fees to sustain themselves; we have to understand that."

T.V.R. Devi from Andhra Pradesh said the capitation fees in that State was very high, so studying in Karnataka worked out to be more economical.

With the colleges under the consortium offering so many seats, it would be easier for most who pass the entrance test to get a seat, many students said.

At least in some examination centres, all candidates had not turned up for the entrance test.

The reason some students said was the date clashed with the entrance test for JIPMER, Pondicherry.

Many felt colleges in Karnataka offered better facilities for serious study.

Most students were satisfied with the arrangements made for the test in Bangalore.

Many were staying with relatives and family friends in Bangalore.

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