Explore Einstein

Click here if you are interested in the person and his work who is the focus of the physics year (year 2005).

Reforming School Education

A class 11th student in CBSE is not exposed to Calculus in Mathematics but has to face Calculus throughout Physics. There are two ways to solve this problem:

1. Remove the usage of Calculus from class 11th Physics curriculum.
2. Include Calculus in class 11th.

Following first approach would mean lowering the standard of Physics education to unacceptable level. It appears to me that the second approach is the best way to move forward. If including all parts of Calculus in class 11th is looking too much then the Calculus course may be divided into two parts. The fundamental concept and certain techniques must be included in class 11th and the more advanced techniques may be included in class 12th.

This approach may help students learn Physics in a better way. Physics, incidentally is the most feared subject among students according to the poll conducted at 123iitjee.com .

IIT JEE Simplified and Olympiads

Looking at the representation from India in International Olympiads in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry one can notice that many of the students among participants have qualified in JEE attaining top ranks. A student is more concerned about his/her career than taking part in competetions like olympiad where career is not at stake. Hence, in general a student is likely to prepare for an entrance examination that decides his/her furture than an olympiad like exam. Till now, JEE has been a tough exam. Though the toughness has been below the olympiad level, the preparation for JEE has helped a candidate to compete for olympiad as well.

Now, the question is, when JEE is made easier will candidates from India be able to compete in olympiads as well considering the significant difference in difficulty levels? Or competetion among students will always be there due to limited intake which will drive them to maintain the same standards?

A detailed article about the process of IIT JEE reforms

The article giving the background of the reforms is published in IIT-M website. It can be viewed here .

Should IIT-JEE be made easier?

It does appear at this moment that JEE is likely to be easier. IIT is known as a brand in India and abroad and is a mark of prestige for this country. An institute is known by its people, the greatest percentage of those are the students. If IIT has brand equity, the large share of it is due to the students. The students are selected via JEE and hence the examination pattern of JEE determines to a large extent the type of students that get into IIT. Anybody having view on this may send his/her article to articles@123iitjee.com or via poll comments displayed. This issue needs to be looked at from global perspective.

Policy of Discrimination (IIT JEE 2006)

The percentage marks/grades obtained in 12th are to take place of screening test according to JAB. This statement is the philosophy behind single-tier exam. Now imagine that a screening test is removed for a group of students and is not removed for the other group, is it fair? Not that getting 60% is difficult but from policy point of view, does it look fair? This is what has been done for JEE 2006. The students who are in 12th will have to clear "this" screening test but the students who have done 12th earlier are given the privilege of bypassing "this" screening test. It was right to remove this restriction for 12th pass students, however it is equally important to remove it for 12th class students as well for JEE 2006.

IIT JEE 2006: New Issue

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It appears that 60% restriction is applicable to the students who will be appearing for 12'th board in 2006 but is not applicable to the students who have appeared for 12'th board earlier. To me it does not appear to be fair. The 60% restriction should be removed for everybody for JEE 2006.

Re: Email (IIT-JEE Reforms)

Before answering email from a student, let me first congratulate the JEE council for taking back the issues affecting JEE 2006 students. They have shown great maturity and non-egoistical attitude towards understanding the sound logic. This probably would not have happened without the active participation from students, parents and the role media played in the process.

Coming to the second point, some of the points mentioned in the following abridged email may be of general interest. Hence, its reply is posted here:

1. I welcome the change in pattern in this new system if it promotes school system as only in school can one actively participate in debates, sports and other activities apart from studies that are crucial to be successful in life.
2. One-tier exam is a welcome move.
3. If the test takes care of the aptitude, comprehension and analytical abilities it does sound good. However, technical education requires in-depth knowledge of the subjects also apart from managerial attributes. If an objective paper can be prepared that takes care of the points rightly mentioned by the council and tests depth of knowledge then I support it.
4. Though, there is disparity among different boards right now, the council of boards is working towards the reforms. In this context, I think 60% criteria looks acceptable to be applicable from JEE 2007. I hope that the discussions taking place in meetings involving participation from different boards work towards homogeneity.
5. Considering increase in seats in existing IIT and plan to open up more IIT, limiting 2 attempts from JEE 2007 does not appear to be a bad idea. The student not getting through IIT in 2 attempts may look for other good options that are available in plenty.
6. IIT have a mechanism by which a student can change branch after joining IIT. If required, this mechanism may further fine tuned and thereby there will be no need for a student who has joined IIT to write JEE again. It will also save him/her one year.
7. OETS will evolve to take care of the change in pattern. The test on alcohol on 25'th September will include new type of questions.

Namasthe sir,

I'm Praharshit Sharma from BITS-Pilani. You would have come across the much awaited change in the iit-jee pattern from 2006. One main reason I 'am' for it is that it is single-tier...Sir you see factually iit-jee screening test was tougher than mains-paper. Also the innovative proposal of "testing comprehension and analytical abilities"of the candidate", the latter of which is always an indispensible part and parcel of the JEE is a fine welcome on my part--which is all said to include write-ups on a topic and objective-type questions based on the same...Well sir, what do say about this--surely you would have taken the jee in the old pattern..i.e. one -tier with 3 hrs. each of phy, chem and math..to what extent do you think that this new system is justified and concordant with the previous one (pre-2000)? Whats your general opinion rather? And what changes do you plan to make in the online-extensive test series (2006) as such if this pattern 'is' materialised?

Thanking you,

Yours very positively, Praharshit.

60% restriction removed for JEE 2006.

Good News

The 2 attempt restriction has been removed from the eligibility criterial for JEE 2006. It will be applicable from JEE 2007.

IIT JEE Eligibility Issue Becoming Political

First it was Mr. Pramod Mahajan who apparently has written a letter to Mr. Arjun Singh requesting him to give at least 3 years time to the students before making changes in eligibility.

Now, it is Mr. Mulayam Singh who has opposed the eligibility issue saying that the poor will be affected if this is implemented.

The student unions are already taking active parts in demonstrations. It is unfortunate that JEE aspirants have to do it - they better be studying. However, they are not doing it by choice.

The outcome of today's meeting will be crucial. On 15'th, there were a few positive indications. However, there have been some negative indications as well - especially on 16'th. If the critical issues are not resolved in this meeting, I guess the parents and students would left with no choice but to go to the court.

In that situation the preparation of students is bound to get affected. Right now also their minds are filled with confusion. If the matter goes to court, the status of confusion will still prevail till the court gives judgement. This will certainly hamper their preparation.

To make the situation worse, the announcement of AIEEE 2006 is still awaited and one cannot deny about any changes in it at this point of time.

At this point, one has to only think about the thousand of students who are adversly affected by the new eligibility restrictions. Whether it is justified by coaching institutes to charge 40,000/50,000 Rs. per year is another issue.

Comments by Students/Parents

Here are some comments made by students/parents. The focus of discussion right now is the sudden change in eligibility criteria affecting thousands of students.

jayant gupta

59.161.13.150.mum-cdma.dialup.vsnl.net.in

posted: 14-Sep-2005 17:27

---

respected sir,
my name is jayant gupta i have saved 59% in 12 in 2004.i had face iit jee entrance last year but could not quolify. but i am doing very hard work for iit jee and i can beat the entrance surely. but according to your new roules i can't take part in iit jee entrance.so i request you please cancle these boundation and let me take part in this comptition. thankyou

piyush

61.0.100.148

posted: 14-Sep-2005 15:35

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students who had mentally prepared for iit seems to have been wasted there yrs studying for iit.Those who have totaly devoted there time in studying for iit and have not scored good marks in 12th are also suffering. This half yr is allready passed n students have wasted there half time in preparing on there half track they cannot go for aieee so this is a kind request that this patern should be in power after 2006 so that people may get chance to think. thank you

Nishant Krishna

dialpool-210-214-29-8.maa.sify.net

posted: 14-Sep-2005 14:15

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hi, i am preparing for IIT from last 2 years.the recent change in JEE pattern is not very good thinking by indian government,i strictly oppose this system.

anwar

202.56.221.190

posted: 14-Sep-2005 09:47

---

this is absurd to introduce the changes from 2006. it leaves those students aimless who are droppers

sanjay kumar singh

netcache.spectranet.com

posted: 14-Sep-2005 07:26

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this decesion doesnot seems logical . i have not any problem regarding changes in formet . i have only problem regarding why decision is taken in mid session . lots of student already taken decision to drop this year .many student left onther courses in verious institiute only for jee.i too left aieee counsing so it should implemented from 2007or after

dinesh kumar

ppp179-133.pppcal.vsnl.net.in

posted: 13-Sep-2005 20:05

---

I am not agree with new eligiblity of 60 percent in IIT Entrance Examination . Becauce,this is a compition and any one can suceed in it who is hardworking.even if he has got 50 percent.

deepak moolchandani

delhi-202.54.193-180.vsnl.net.in

posted: 13-Sep-2005 09:04

---

what they do that they did'nt think about the students which are 3-4 years drppers what they will do now they might be inform before the session start
this is not good

b durga pradeep

210.211.230.51.bb-static.vsnl.net.in

posted: 13-Sep-2005 08:08

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it's really unfair to restrict the no of attempts to 2 i think students should be given one more chance and implement the eligiblity from jee 2007

I personally think that the following changes will be taken back for this year and some/all of them will be communicated by 17'th September evening or by 30'th September.

1. More than 2 attempts to be allowed till JEE 2006.
2. Students who have taken admission in IIT but who want to impove their ranks to get the branch of their choice may be allowed to take JEE 2006.

The policy makers have not indicated yet towards the relaxation in 60% criteria for JEE 2006.

Whether JEE should be made easy or not is another issue. This issue needs to be looked at from global perpective.

IIT JEE Reforms: only 2 attempts criterion may be delayed by an year

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Note (JEE Reforms)

I came to know about this:

The developments will be discussed at a meeting of the Standing Committee of IIT in Kolkata, organised by IIT Kharagpur, on September 17.

JEE Changes - One Side of the Coin

The type of reaction that can be seen from the student community within 24 hours of press release points towards serious restrictions in eligibility criteria for JEE 2006. The group of people involved in bringing out changes in JEE system are no doubt eminent people having sound minds. However, the reforms suggested by them and accepted by HRD say the strory from their perspective. Things could have been much better if ground realities would have been accounted for - not just conferences in AC rooms.

The reforms in JEE need to be made by allowing participation from IIT aspirants and their parents, IIT students and IIT alumni. This way the ground realities will emerge more clearly and a better policy can be made.

This type of thoughts can be taken from different people through internet by creating feedback areas / forums in IIT websites.

IIT JEE Reforms and Critical Issue

Yesterday's evening press release has come up with one element of surprise. As such there is nothing wrong with the reforms and one examination system is welcome but there is a very serious element from implementation point of view. The press release talks about the changes from JEE 2006. The policy makers seem to have forgotten about the students who started preparing for JEE 2006 earlier without knowing about the new eligibility conditions. After all when they decided to start preparing for JEE 2006, there was no such prior notification. Many students did not join NIT, BITS Pilani and other reputed institutes to pursue their IIT dream. Had they known that they would not be eligible to write JEE again, they would not have wasted one year.

Whenever one has to bring reforms in the system, they should be brought in slowly - especially, such critical issues like eligibility. It is a question of playing with the career of a number of students.

The best thing is to apply the modified eligibility requirements from JEE 2007 onwards. The parents of the students need to take steps to let the concerned persons know about this aspect via direct contact to the media, HRD and IIT Directors.

I personally think that such a move will work towards the removal of eligibility requirements modifications for JEE 2006 since it is based on merit.

On the lighter side

The following code will produce the picture below inside the advanced learning system:

$$~\unitlength{.6}~\picture(100){~~(50,50){\circle(99)}~ ~(20,55;50,0;2){+1$\hat\bullet}~~(50,40){\bullet}~~(50,35){\circle(50,25;34)}~ ~(50,35){\circle(50,45;34)}}$$

Everything you create or acquire begins in the form of desire.

In order to act, you must have a purpose. If you want to act successfully in all but the most mundane affairs, you must embrace that purpose with a burning desire. Many people think they want to be successful, but since they do not back that thought with an intense drive, they never achieve success. Cultivate your desire. Feed it with thoughts of yourself enjoying whatever it is you seek. It's like stoking the furnace of a steam engine. You need to build up enough pressure to carry yourself over hills; if your desire doesn't burn hotly enough, you'll find yourself stalled and rolling backwards. The secret to action is a red-hot desire.

 

Courtesy: Napoleon Hill Foundation.