NEP 2020: Common Aptitude Test to be Conducted for BHU, DU, JNU, and other Central Universities from Academic Session 2021-22

In line with NEP, the Government is all set to conduct a Common Aptitude Test for admissions to BHU, DU, JNU, and other Central Universities from the academic session 2021-22. 

According to the reports, a seven-member committee has been appointed to recommend the modalities of a ‘high-quality aptitude test’ which would be common for admissions to all central universities. The test is expected to come into effect for admissions to undergraduate courses from the academic session 2021-22. 

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NTA (National Testing Agency) would be the conducting body for the examination and the exam would be mandatory for all the candidates seeking admission to the participating central universities. 

The Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare stated during a press reporting that this exam is going to be implemented from the academic session 2021-22 for the central universities.

The examination would be computer-based and would have a mandatory general aptitude test as well as subject-wise tests. The aptitude test will be held to examine the basic aptitude of the students that will include verbal, quantitative, and logical reasoning. Students will be given the option to choose the subjects for the Subject-wise Test according to their preferences. 

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The proposal of the Common Aptitude Test contains some initial recommendations as conducting the examination two times a year. However, for the 2021-22 academic session, the examination is supposed to be conducted once.

This move is expected to reduce the dependence on class 12 board examinations and bring uniformity to the platform of examination. This will give an equal fighting opportunity to a student with higher aptitude who fails to score 90% or higher and loses out on opportunities. 

In the future, the students will have an option of appearing for the aforesaid examination more than once and this will also eliminate the requirements for appearing for different exams for respective Universities.

The ‘aptitude’ score would be valid for admissions to all the universities and minimum eligibility criteria will also be set to ensure maximum eligibility.

The appointed 7 member committee will be headed by the Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Professor RP Tiwari. The other members would include the VCs from Delhi University, Central University of Mizoram, Central University of South Bihar, and Banaras Hindu University.

The Joint Secretary and DG-NTA from the Ministry of Education would also be part of the committee. 

This proposal is submitted in line with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and the recommendations are expected to be submitted within a month. 

The policy aims to, “ Work to offer a high-quality common aptitude test as well as specialized common subject exams in the sciences, humanities, languages, arts and vocational subjects, at least twice every year. These exams shall test conceptual understanding.” 

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