The Indian Institute of Technology is considering overhauling the format of the Joint Entrance Examination every three years, primarily to stress on the basic knowledge of science subjects as taught to students at the 10+2 level and to prevent private coaching classes from adapting to the format.

"The directors of all the IITs would like to review and evaluate the new JEE format every three years so as to prevent the existing coaching classes from adapting to the style," said M S Ananth, director, IIT-Madras, after the Joint Admission Board's meeting in Kolkata earlier this week.

The new JEE format was also finalised at this meeting.

S K Dube, director, IIT-Kharagpur, added, "JEE 2006 will be a single, objective type examination, stressing more on the basic subject knowledge imparted to a student as they prepare for their higher secondary examination." 

This would help students concentrate more on their basic 10+2 course, Dube said.

The new format would significantly reduce a candidate's mental stress. The selection procedure will now focus more on the student's knowledge, aptitude and analytical skills.

JAB met in Kolkata on September 17 to discuss and finalise the recommendation made by the task force to overhaul the JEE system.

The eligibility criteria for getting admission in the IITs was set at securing at least 60 per cent marks at the 10+2 level or its equivalent examination, with a five percent relaxation for students belonging to the scheduled class/ tribe and physically handicapped students. 

A one-time exemption was announced for students who passed their 10+2 examination in 2005 and were thereafter preparing for JEE 2006.

Instead of a separate screening and a main examination, JEE would now be a single test with objective or multiple choice type questions stressing on the 10+2 level syllabus.

Students who had secured admission in any of the IITs would not be allowed to reappear for JEE, the board decided.

Students would get only two chances to sit for JEE.

At a glance

~ JEE 2006 will be a single test with objective or multiple choice type questions stressing on the 10+2 level syllabus.

~ The JEE process will most likely be reviewed every three years, to prevent coaching classes from adapting to the format.

~ The eligibility criteria for getting admission in the IITs were set at securing at least 60 per cent marks at 10+2 level or its equivalent examination.

~ Scheduled class/ tribe and physically handicapped students will be given a five per cent relaxation in the eligibility criteria.

~ A one-time exemption was announced for students who passed their 10+2 examination in 2005 and were thereafter preparing for JEE 2006.

~ Students who had secured admission in any of the IITs would not be allowed to reappear for JEE.