‘Students who are waiting for CUET UG results should have their Plan B ready’

With the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) results likely to be delayed this year following the NEET row, there are concerns among students looking for admission to central universities over the impact this could have on their academic year.
 
Dr. Jawaid Akhter, Senior Teacher, Saifee Golden Jubilee English Public School, talked to Shaheryar Hossain about the delay in CUET UG results. Excerpts from the interview:
 
A number of students might have come to you seeking help after a delay in the CUET UG results. What is your stake in this?
If results are declared on time, then students will not face problems. Then they come to teachers and seek their help. What we can give them are our suggestions. We say wait and watch because we can’t go beyond the education system. But these types of exam-conducting authorities should publish the results at the scheduled time.

What should one do if he or she scores less in the CUET exam?
If a student scores less in the CUET, then they should not get worried. He or she should opt for diploma courses related to and allied with their desired subject. Students should search online for information about the different diploma courses offered by different colleges and universities. Apart from this, students keep an eye on the admissions process of state universities (such as Aliah University). They have their own admissions process. Earlier, Calcutta University used to take admission college-wise (online). This year, Calcutta University is looking after the admissions process directly. In the Calcutta University portal, a student can apply to 10 to 12 government and government-sponsored colleges under Calcutta University at a time. It will release the admissions list. Then a student will be able to take admission to the college. 

How should one prepare for the CUET exam? 
Students should follow the exam pattern (questions based on general knowledge, English, and different subjects) set by the exam-conducting authority. They should go through the previous five years of exam papers. They should practice as much as possible and appear for mock papers.
 
What is your message to students who are waiting for CUET results but do not have any Plan B with them?  
Yes, students who are waiting for CUET results should have their Plan B ready. It is obvious that if the CUET results are delayed, then students will be worried. If the CUET results get published at the scheduled time, then they get admission to their desired place. Students should not be dependent only on CUET. Well, a number of central universities, such as Aligarh Muslim University and others, conduct their own entrance exams in different centers. For example, Aligarh Muslim University conducts its entrance exam in Kolkata. In West Bengal, the higher secondary exam results were declared one month ago. This year, Calcutta University has made admission centralized. It opened up an admissions portal. The admissions list will be released in two or three days. The admissions process should have been completed earlier. The students and teachers are worried. It is said that the results are being delayed due to the elections. I want to say that the education system should not be hampered due to the elections.