In despair because of scrapped CATE

Entrance dilemma

It seems changes introduced with the new graduation system in Delhi University are not making students happy. Especially the scrapping of the Common Aptitude Test for English (CATE), which was conducted till last year, has become a matter of despair. A lot of  aspiring students were left empty-handed when the high cut-off for English (Hons) was released yesterday morning.

Till the time CATE was conducted a student who had even scored 60 percent in the Boards stood a chance at fair admission, basis the common entrance test. However, the cut-off has shattered the dreams of the average scorers.

 The first cut-off, expectedly touched an all-time high. The lowest cut-off in this course has been 65 percent (Sri Aurobindo College) while the highest is  98.5 percent in Hindu College. Even in the most sought after colleges like Lady Shri Ram (LSR ) the cut-off is  97 percent, 92-96 percent in Kirori Mal, 92-98 in Ramjas, 95-97.5 in Miranda House and Hansraj College.

Despite the highest cut-off by Hindu, there were hardly any takers for admission. When Metrolife team visited the college at 10:30 am, Room no 11, especially designated for English (Hons) admission, it was empty. Only two teachers were sitting.

When asked, the teacher in-charge Ashima Sharma as to why students were not queuing up, she said, “A lot of applicants have already applied to St. Stephen’s College and results will be out by afternoon so we can expect them to start coming to our college on July 28 or 29.” Notably, St. Stephen’s has a total of 30 seats in English (Hons), for which it has received around 3,600 applications!

Interestingly, the scene was very different in other colleges offering the same course. Nayan Srivasatava, who came from Gurgaon to take admission in Ramjas says, “I don’t understand why the cut-off is so high for English (Hons). Till last night we had no clue regarding the cut-off percentage so it was surprising to see such roof touching cut-off the next morning.”

According to Nayan, if CATE had been conducted like it was previously, she easily had a chance in LSR, Hindu or Hansraj. “The cut-off has restricted us. Now I have to wait for the second cut-off. In that case I will have to submit fee in this college and then if I get admission in another college I have to pay the fees there. Double expenditure!” says Nayan.

Reiterating a similar view, Srishti Singhal, who was reluctant to take admission in SGTB Khalsa College says, “I wish CATE had not been scrapped. Despite having 95 percent I cannot get admission in a college of my choice. At least through CATE, we were assured a fair chance. But now, we have to wait for the second or even the third cut-off or else, unwillingly take admission in any college which is not on our list.”
However, a few held no grudges with the high cut-off. According to Umang, from Dehradun, “As far as I know Ramjas is also a good college. So, I am glad that I am in the first cut-off and secondly I am interested in this college because of the hostel facility.”