Be ready to shell out more for CET brochure

The government has not made any additional allocation while deciding to hold the counselling in Bangalore, Hubli, Gulbarga, Davangere, Shimoga and Mangalore--three more than last year. To meet the extra cost, the KEA has decided to jack up the price of the brochure cum application.  

According to a KEA official, "the CET 2010 brochure cum application will have a marginal price increase. The KEA charges the lowest price for CET application in comparison to other states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Andhra Pradesh."

The cost could go up by ten per cent. In 2009, the KEA had fixed the fee for brochure at Rs 550. The KEA has already begun preparations for the counselling session at the three new centres--Mangalore, Shimoga and Davangere.

Slight delay

"Technical work at the five CET counselling centres is almost nearing completion. At Davangere, due to lack of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) connection, there has been a slight delay in completion of the work. CET 2010 counselling sessions will be recorded for the benefit of students. Mock trials in all the centres have been scheduled in April," the official added.

Meanwhile, KEA is also expecting an increase in the number of candidates appearing for CET 2010 in view of the free satellite-based coaching being offered to rural students. Nearly 20,000 students from remote villages have availed the benefit of coaching which began in October.

Rural students

"We are expecting about 20,000 and most of them will be from rural areas as the free coaching has proven to be beneficial to them," the official said.   

The coaching classes will be conducted till February 7, 2010 followed by a break for the II Pre-University Examination, which will be held in March. During the 25-day classes from April 1, students would get intensive coaching for the examination.

"A month's break has been scheduled for students to prepare for the annual examination. To help students perform better, every week on Sundays, mock tests are being conducted after coaching on every chapter. The mock tests will help in self-assessment," the official added.