Since it the one of the toughest examination in the country, clearing the cut-off score is not a privilege that everyone gets. However, CBSE has claimed that cut offs for this year’s JEE Main are likely to become more realistic this year. Now what does that mean and how will it impact JEE Aspirants, following set of questions and answers will help to clarify.
What is JEE Main cut off?
JEE Main Cut off is basically a minimum score that a candidate needs to score in the test, for admission in various colleges like NITs and CFTIs. For admission in IITs, CBSE conducts a further JEE Advanced test. Candidates are offered seats in many colleges on the basis of their score if they are able to pass the cutoff score.
Why is the cut off going to be more ‘Realistic’ this year?
Cut off score for JEE Main depends on numerous factors, like: –
● Number of Candidates appearing in the exam
● Difficulty level of exam
● Admission Policies
● Increase or Decrease in number of seats
All these factors play a decisive role in the determination of cut off score for JEE Main, and changes continue to happen in these factors. Due to change in some of these factors, the cutoff score is going to become more realistic this year.
What are the changes that have come in these ‘decisive’ factors for JEE Cut Off?
As mentioned above, some changes have come in the factors that are going to lead the cut off to more realistic level. Let us take a look at the changes that have actually happened with regards to JEE Main this year: –
Good Bye to ‘Class 12 scores’ criteria
One big change that has happened in the JEE Main cut off scenario is that the cut off scores will not be calculated considering Class 12 scores of the candidate. Until last year (2016), Class 12 percentage played an important role in the calculation of JEE scores. This benefitted the students who had high scores in Class 12, but it was probably unfair to those who have mediocre percentages in Class 12. And therefore, it had some impact on the JEE scores of a candidates’ due to his past performances. But to the delight of many candidates, CBSE has scrapped the idea of considering Class 12 scores for JEE Main scores. It is this factor which is playing a huge role in bringing JEE Main cut offs to more realistic levels.
More, and More, and More Colleges
The Indian Government is keen to add more and more engineering colleges in the country. Despite India being such a large producer of engineers, there are still many aspirants who do not get their desired colleges or even good colleges due to sky high competition.
Therefore, Government has been adding up NITs, IIITs, and IITs in the country. Now when, when the supply is increasing but demand is not so increasing, the minimum requirements are automatically destined to fall.
Also, due to increase in the number of IITs, the number of candidates who are shortlisted for JEE Advance is increasing. Since candidates who get shortlisted for JEE Advance are the top scorers of JEE Main, the cutoff score for remaining candidates is going to fall. Due to these factors also, it is probable that the cutoff score for this year is likely going to be a level which is going to be achievable by a higher percentage of candidates.
The falling graph of number of JEE aspirants
Despite being an entrance test that provides admission to world class institutes of the country, the number of aspirants appearing for JEE Main is falling surprisingly. In 2013, more than 14 lakh candidates registered for JEE, but the numbers have been 12.9 lakhs, 12.34 and 12.07 for 2014, 15 and 16 respectively. So, it’s quite clear that candidates appearing for JEE are continuously decreasing. There can be a number of reasons for this, like Heavy Competition, Decreasing in engineering or whatever. But the fact is decreasing number of candidates will lead to decrease in cut off scores also if difficulty level remains the same.
So, what was the Past Years’ Cut Off?
The increase in seats and decrease in candidates has led to a continuous downfall in cut offs. Take a look at the cut off trends for JEE Main:
| Category | 2017 Cut off | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
| General | 81 | 100 | 105 | 115 |
| NC-OBC | 49 | 70 | 70 | 74 |
| SC | 32 | 52 | 50 | 53 |
| ST | 27 | 48 | 44 | 47 |
So, it quite clear that the cut offs are falling. With NTS (National Testing Service) expected to be the conducting body for JEE Main 2018, changes can happen. But all in all, we can hope that JEE cut offs will become ‘Realistic’ in coming years. Good Luck! ☺
Leave a Comment