Education Minister A. Suresh has urged the Union government to schedule all competitive exams for September this year, as the state hopes to hold the proficiency test (10 + 2 or intermediate) in August.
In a letter to the Union’s Minister of Education, Ramesh Pokhriyal, he said that many Andhra Pradesh students are taking competitive exams such as JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NEET and ICAR for admission to various vocational colleges.
“Also, the state government is running EAPCET for those who pass 10 + 2 for admission to engineering, agriculture and pharmacy courses, with 25% weighted on the final exam and the remaining 75% on the joint entrance test,” said Mr Suresh stated, adding that this will require a 10 + 2 exam to be taken in the state.
Mr Suresh said the state is encouraging the investigation to be conducted once conditions are favorable. The practical tests had already been completed in April of this year and the conduct of the theoretical tests was regulated. The questionnaires had been sent to the respective district authority and are now in safe custody, said Mr Suresh in his letter.
The plan was to hold the exams for the students in the first and second (final) year of the middle school on alternating days. According to the timetable, the theory exams would be completed in 16 days (eight days each for first and second graders).
“The entire evaluation process and announcement of the result can be completed in 40 days,” said Suresh.
With the revised audit schedule to be announced at least 15 days in advance, the whole process could be completed in two months, he added.
The examinations would be carried out in the designated centers in strict compliance with the COVID-19 protocols, he said.