Let students use labs to prepare for NTA's tests: CBSE

With the National Testing Agency (NTA) all set to conduct five competitive examinations starting December this year, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked its over 20,000 schools to open up their computer labs for students to crack preparatory mock tests.

As these are online tests, including JEE-Main and NEET, the government has decided to set up at least 5000 'Test Practice Centres” across the country to provide students, particularly rural-based, an opportunity to prepare for the tests.

Schools with at least 30 computers with Internet connection at one location will be identified for setting up the practice centres.

“Schools identified as Test Practice Centres will be suitably remunerated as per NTA norms,” CBSE secretary Anurag Tripathi said in his letter to its schools, inviting them to apply for a practice centre on their campus.

The NTA will be conducting the Joint Entrance Examination-Main (JEE-Main), National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) and Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT).

First test

The UGC-NET is likely to be the first test of the series.

The tests will be conducted in multiple sittings, allowing candidates the option of choosing the date of their choice.

“The Test Practice Centres, after approval from NTA, will be thrown open to students from the third week of August this year, free of charge” the CBSE said.