10,000 take error-marred AIPMT

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 1

Several students and teachers complained that there were errors in the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), 2016, paper, conducted here today. They complained that four questions – three from chemistry and one from biology – were erroneous. 

Students came out of examination centres confused about the correct answers. On cross-checking with friends and teachers, they found that for two questions — one of chemistry and one of biology — the correct answers were not listed as one of the options and for the other two — both from chemistry — there were two correct answers.

Students demanded that the CBSE must give grace marks for the erroneous questions. “Even a single question can change the merit significantly in such an important exam,” remarked a student, Renuka Sharma.

A Chandigarh-based PMT trainer, Dr Arvind Goyal, informed that he had already sent an e-mail to the CBSE AIPMT cell to intimate them about the erroneous questions.

Meanwhile, over 10,000 students appeared for the AIPMT-2016, being treated  as the first phase of the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), across 29 centres in Chandigarh. The exam, held for admission to MBBS and BDS courses across the country, was conducted amid tight security this year. 

Students had to follow a proper dress code and they were not allowed to enter the examination hall in shoes or carry any kind of stationery with them. Mobile phones were not allowed.

Most students claimed that the paper was easier and more balanced than last year. Local aspirants Shallu Datta and Ritu Dahiya found the paper easy, but were, however, disappointed with the errors in questions. 

Aspirants also claimed that a few questions in the biology section were beyond the NCERT syllabus, but the chemistry section was easy. 

Physics trainer Kunal Singh said though the physics section had many numericals, the students were able to complete the paper in time. 

This year, the cut off score is expected to be high more so because many more students will be appearing in the phase two exam. 

Meanwhile, officials from the regional office of the CBSE informed that the exam was conducted smoothly across all 29 centres.