NEET candidates find physics tough; latecomers lose a year

Mumbai:
Barring a few incidents, the National Eligibilitycum-Entrance Test (NEET) went off peacefully in the city on Sunday. At several NEET centres in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, one to three candidates lost a year as they were late for the exam, while many complained of the lengthy attendance process during the exam leading to wastage of ‘precious’ time.

Overall NEET-UG 2018 was a mixed bag for over 1.8 lakh medical aspirants in Maharashtra. Most found the physics section to be tougher and lengthier than chemistry and biology. “Of the 180 questions, 110 were easy, 45 were of medium difficulty, and 25 were very difficult,” said Sudhanshu Sinhal, MD of a coaching institute. Teachers expect the cut-off for qualifying in NEET to be at 130. For government colleges, the cut-off could be between 510 and 530, said Subhash Joshi of Science Parivar.

The stringent policy, followed by CBSE, asking centres to videoshoot the closing of gates sharp at 9.30am sealed the fate of latecomers. “A student who was coming from Colaba met with a minor accident and reached at 9.32am was not allowed to take the test,” said Kalpa Raichura, who was at a centre in Powai. At a centre, the videorecording of candidates and thumb impression and signatures were taken during the exam, making it difficult for the candidates to concentrate for 10-15 minutes.

An official statement by CBSE said candidates were informed about the timings and other rules every day through text messages. “Nearly 1.3 crore SMSes were sent to candidates. A radio programme was also organised to remind them about the last-minute preparations and the timings,” mentioned the statement. TNN 

Source : https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/#

Catching a nap in school can help teens’ performance

Regular mid-day naps can help tired adolescents’ performance in school, suggests a study. A University of Delaware researcher, Xiaopeng Ji, investigated the relationship between middaynapping behaviours and neurocognitive function in early adolescents and found some solutions in helping the teens battle fatigue. She measured midday napping, nighttime sleep duration and sleep quality, and performance on multiple neurocognitive tasks. Ji also studied the circadian rhythm of sleep (a person’s 24-hour cycle). A developmental change takes place in circadian rhythm during adolescence; teenagers’ rhythm shifts one to two hours later than the preadolescent period, she said.

“This phase delay is biologically driven in adolescents,” she said.

Ji explained that these adolescents may experience impaired neurocognitive function, which makes paying attention in school even more difficult. Memory and reasoning ability also suffer. A circadian dip occurs daily from 12 to 2 pm. During that period, adolescents are more likely to fall asleep. — ANI

Source : https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/#

NEET 2018: Here are some of the tips and tricks to score high

TOI-Online | Updated: Apr 20, 2018, 12:58 IST

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) released the admit card for the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2018-19 on its official website on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.

The candidates who had applied for the examination can go to the official website of the CBSE NEET - cbseneet.nic.in - to download their admit card. The NEET UG 2018 examination is scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 10am.

Since only few weeks are left for the examination, candidates are advised to revise their syllabus for the examination. The candidates can also follow the preparation tips and tricks given below:

1) Spend about 14 hours every day on studies but don't forget to take small breaks in between. Proper preparation will not only reduce the stress caused by indiscipline but will also provide ample time to revise the syllabus of exam.

2) Prepare a study plan and divide your timing for - a) revision of exam syllabus; b) mock test practice; and c) analysis of errors.

3) Since only few weeks are left for the exam, the candidates are advised to focus on textbooks prescribes for effective and in-depth knowledge of every topic. Avoid ready or referring to any new topic/book.

4) Limit your social media and online games exposure. Do some light physical exercises or yoga or meditation to reduce stress and stay calm & refreshed.

5) Divide your time based on subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology and solve their MCQs. Take up mock-tests and complete it within the time frame of three hours.

6) After every mock test, analyze your own performance. Take notes of weak topics and work on them during revision time. 

 

 

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/neet-2018-here-are-some-of-the-tips-and-tricks-to-score-high/articleshow/63842575.cms

JEE Main 2018 online answer key to be released by CBSE at jeemain.nic.in; know when and how to check

JEE Main 2018 online answer key:  The board will release the answer key for the offline exam that was held at different centres located in 112 cities throughout the country and abroad, on its official website - jeemain.nic.in. 

By: FE Online | Published: April 20, 2018 9:19 PM

JEE Main 2018 online answer key: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had conducted the JEE Main examination earlier this month. (IE)

JEE Main 2018 online answer key: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had conducted the JEE Main examination earlier this month. The answer key and images of OMR answer sheets for the JEE Main 2018 will be released by CBSE on 24 April 2018. The board will release the answer key for the offline exam that was held at different centres located in 112 cities throughout the country and abroad, on its official website – jeemain.nic.in. For a kind information to all the candidates, this provision is available only for those who have appeared for the pen and paper based exam on 8 April 2018. While the applicants who have appeared the online exam, can’t challenge the recorded responses. Such candidates can challenge only the answer keys along with providing relevant documents in support.

How to download the answer key for JEE main 2018 exams
Step 1) Log on to the official website – jeemain.nic.in
Step 2) Click on the link that says ‘JEE MAIN 2018 answer key Download’
Step 3) Choose Paper I or Paper II.
Step 4) The answer key will appear on the screen
Step 5) Download and take a printout for future usage

The candidates can also challenge the captured response by filling online application form and paying a sum of Rs 1000 per question. The challenge of answer keys will also be accepted online, for which the fees could be paid by credit or debit card. For all challenges accepted by the Board, the fees will be refunded to the candidates to the concerned debit or credit card account. The link will be made available on the official website. Once the link is generated, the candidates can follow the steps mentioned below to file challenges against the error, if any.

JEE Main 2018 Answer Key Challenge Process


Step 1) Visit the link – jeemain.nic.in
Step 2) Click on the link that will direct you to make challenge answer key
Step 3) Record the responses
Step 4) Submit fee of Rs 1000 per recorded response/ per question

Source : https://www.financialexpress.com/jobs/jee-main-2018-online-answer-key-to-be-released-by-cbse-at-jeemain-nic-in-know-when-and-how-to-check/1140088/

No homework for CBSE kids till Class II: National Council of Educational Research and Training

TNN | Updated: Apr 20, 2018, 11:04 IST

CHENNAI: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made it clear that the 18,000-odd CBSE schools that follow its syllabus should not give homework to children up to Class II, and only three subjects should be taught to children up to Class III.

The council made a submission to this effect on a plea moved by advocate M Purushothaman in the Madras high court seeking a direction to CBSE to strictly adhere to the syllabus prescribed by NCERT, and not to overload the students.

Filing an affidavit in response to the plea, the NCERT also said that since in the constructivist approach, children learn to access information rather than learn by rote memorising it from book, including general knowledge – GK as a subject in school promotes rote learning. 

As to the practice followed by schools of dividing students into different categories such as elegant, and amazing, the council has said that such a practice would promote discrimination in the society. 

“The demonising effect of such labelling is devastating on children. Therefore, parents need to be vigilant about these practices, and rather than taking pride of the fact that their wards are studying in a school where these discriminating practices prevail, they need to stand against these to prevent discrimination in the society on the basis of abilities,” the council has said. 

According to the petitioner, the NCERT syllabus prescribes only three subjects for Class I under CBSE – mother tongue, English and mathematics. But in reality, the Class I students are forced to study eight subjects, including computer science, general knowledge and Hindi.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/puducherry/no-homework-for-cbse-kids-till-class-ii-ncert/articleshow/63837831.cms
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CBSE to grant 2 marks for English paper typo

  PTI | New Delhi, April 19, 2018 22:43 IST

 

Photo for representational purposes.   | Photo Credit: PTI

Several teachers and students had approached the Board with the plea that the paper held on March 12 had certain errors in the comprehension passage section.

The CBSE has decided to provide compensation of two marks to Class X students for a typing error in the English question paper.

Several teachers and students had approached the Board with the plea that the paper held on March 12 had certain errors in the comprehension passage section.

Students had to read a passage and write synonyms for the words endurance, obstruction, and motivation. But the paragraphs they were supposed to look at were incorrectly marked, they had said in an online petition.

“The typing error has been noticed and it has been Board’s policy to not let students face any disadvantage. The marking scheme has been decided in interest of students, and all those who appeared for the particular question will be awarded two marks,” a senior CBSE official said.

The Class X and XII board examinations began on March 5 and will conclude by April 25.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbse-to-grant-2-marks-for-english-paper-typo/article23606851.ece

NEET exam: CBSE issues dress code

TNN | Apr 19, 2018, 02:11 IST

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has come out with the dress code for students taking the upcoming NEET exam. While issuing the admit cards for the National Eligibility-cum Entrance Test (NEET) for students willing to pursue MBBS and BDS at medical colleges, the board has advised candidates to come in “light-coloured halfsleeves dress” and “not to wear shoes”. 

Reiterating the dress code it announced in 2017, the board has added that the candidates will have to report at the exam centre an hour earlier in case they choose to wear their “customary dress”. The CBSE had attracted a lot of criticism last year when students were forced to remove their head scarves to gain entry into the exam halls, leading to protests.

According to the dress code, the candidates will have to wear “light clothes with half sleeves, not having big buttons, brooch/badge, flower etc. with salwar/ trouser,” and “slippers, sandals with low heels and not the shoes,” to the exam centre. The NEET exam will be conducted on May 6, from 10am to 1pm. “The schedule will remain unaltered even if the date of the test is declared a public holiday,” CBSE said in a statement.

It has also barred students from carrying communication devices to the exam centres. The board said that no arrangement would be made at the centres for keeping any items belonging to the candidates. Other restricted items include geometry/pencil box,handbags, belt, cap, ornaments, watch and any other metallic item.

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/neet-exam-cbse-issues-dress-code/articleshow/63822716.cms

NEET candidates allotted far-off centres, flummoxed

Mumbai: A student from Virar has been allotted a centre at Kharghar for his NEET exam scheduled on May 6. Another student from Kandivli has got a centre at Nhava in Raigad. Several students are hassled over the far-off centres allotted to them for the national medical entrance test. Theyreceived their NEET hall tickets on Tuesday.

To avoid overcrowding, the CBSE has given two slots for students to enter their centres—7.30am to 8.30am and 8.30am to 9.30am. The ones in the 7.30am-8.30am slot will be forced to leave home by 5.30am-6am, say parents.

A parent of a Virar student said, “As we have got a centre in Kharghar, we have decided to book a hotel room there the night before to avoid getting delayed. We will have to ensure that our son gets sound sleep the night before the exam. Waking up at 4am to reach the centre at 7.30am for the 10am exam will only add to his stress.”

The other parent whose daughter is scheduled to write the exam in Raigad said he thought centres would be allocated on first-come-firstserved basis. “But this allotment seems to be system-generated. We plan to check out the location this Sunday,” said the parent. Another parent said his son and his friend from Mira Road had filled the exam form at the same time but the latter managed to get Andheri and his son got a centre in Navi Mumbai. TNN 

Source : https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/#

• 19 Apr 2018  | Pune |  Shreya Bhandary shreya.bhandary@hindustantimes.com

Over 13L students to compete for NEET

MUMBAI: Competition for seats in undergraduate medical and dental courses across India is set to get tougher with the total registrations for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) increasing by almost two lakh.

According to figures revealed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), over 13.36 lakh hopefuls have registered for NEET 2018, up from 11.5 lakh who had registered in 2017. Total number of seats in MBBS and BDS institutes across the country stands at 60,000. Experts have attributed this increase in registrations to a number of reasons, including more states opting for NEET scores instead of their Common Entrance Tests (CETs) to fill seats for all health science courses. 

They also attribute the rise to an overall increase in number of students clearing Class 12 exams every year. 

“Various policies and scholarships made available by the Central government as well as state governments have encouraged higher number of students clearing secondary and higher secondary education across the country. We anticipate an increase on the basis of this reason every year,” said Dr Pravin Shingare, director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER). Registrations stood at 7.5 lakh in 2016 when NEET was held in two phases.-

LANGUAGE MATTERS

National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) (UG) 2018 will be conducted in 11 languages across the country While originally the Central Board of Secondary Examinations (CBSE) made it clear that NEET 2017 will be held in eight languages including English, in the last week of January 2017, they added two more languages to this list NEET 2017 was held in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada and Oriya but despite repeated requests by Student Islamic Organisation (SIO) as well as several other state government officials, Urdu was not included in this list The matter was dragged to court and the Supreme Court finally ordered CBSE to conduct NEET 2018 in eleven languages, including Urdu.

Source: Source : http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

• 19 Apr 2018 | Mumbai | Shreya Bhandary

13.36 lakh sign up for NEET, up by 2 lakh from last year

Rise attributed to states opting for NEET and more students clearing Class 12

MUMBAI: Competition for seats in undergraduate medical and dental courses across India is set to get tougher with the total registrations for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) increasing by almost two lakh.

According to figures revealed by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), over 13.36 lakh hopefuls have registered for NEET 2018, up from 11.5 lakh who had registered in 2017. The total number of seats in MBBS and BDS institutes across the country stands at 60,000. Experts have attributed this increase in registrations to a number of reasons, including more states opting for NEET scores instead of their Common Entrance Tests (CETs) to fill seats for all health science courses.

They also attribute the rise to an overall increase in number of students clearing Class 12 exams every year.

“Various policies and scholarships made available by the Central government as well as state governments have encouraged a higher number of students clearing secondary and higher secondary education across the country. We anticipate an increase on the basis of this reason every year,” said Dr Pravin Shingare, director, Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER).

The registrations stood at 7.5 lakh in 2016 when NEET was conducted in two phases. NEET was first introduced in May 2013 and was quickly scrapped in 2014, making way for separate CETs for admissions to medical and dental institutes in each state.

In 2016, the Supreme Court made NEET mandatory.

Keeping this in mind, the Maharashtra medical education department decided to scrap CET, making NEET compulsory for all students aiming for seats in all health science courses. In the past year, more states have been encouraging institutes to consider NEET scores to help get rid of numerous entrance examinations and reduce the burden on students. “Students have realized that NEET is more important than state-conducted CETs. More and more of them have been opting for NEET. Sadly, the number of seats is still very limited and the competition gets tougher,” said Aruna Roy, parent of an MBBS aspirant.CBSE has already started distributing admit cards. NEET (UG) 2018 will be conducted in 11 languages on May 6.

Source : http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx