MUMBAI: SSC toppers have multiplied this year with more than 83,000 students scoring 90% and above. The state numbers saw a nearly 200% jump over last year and 175% in the city. With state and central boards seeing a massive spike in high scorers, competition to get into top-rung junior colleges will get fiercer this year.
Principals predict a 1-2% rise in cut-offs, making it tough for even those with 90% to secure a seat of their choice.
In Mumbai alone, almost 15,000 SSC students have scored 90% and above. The last time the city saw over 14,000 90%-plus scorers was in 2011. The numbers had dropped last year to 5,399 due to changes in the evaluation pattern.
Seats in commerce and arts will be difficult in sought-after colleges. Parag Thakkar from HR College said the cut-offs in the first merit list will rise by 1-2% in commerce and arts courses in top colleges.
Whether the rise of 90% scorers is between 90% and 95% or in the above 95% bracket will decide the cut-offs in subsequent lists too, said Thakkar.
Several science aspirants are likely to choose junior colleges offering integrated coaching for their NEET and JEE preparation, and are expected to choose a junior college closer home, said a principal.
"Post Covid, parents would anyway want to choose a college closer home for their children. As several junior colleges offering integrated coaching are coming up in the suburbs, it will become the likeliest choice of science aspirants. The cut-offs are likely to rise even in these junior colleges," said the principal.
Ashok Wadia, principal of Jai Hind College, said the rise in scores will definitely push up cut-offs. He puts in a word of caution for the massive jump among high scorers though. "These high scores may have an impact on the psychological well-being of students. There should be a uniform assessment policy across boards," said Wadia.
Almost two lakh students in the state had sought extra marks for participation in sports and cultural events, taking the total number of students with the perfect score to 242. In Mumbai alone, 32,000 have managed to get those extra marks.
"Artificial inflation of marks has become a norm across boards. It is difficult to assess the actual capabilities of a child when every board is joining the rat race. No board has managed to set a benchmark for others to follow. Students scoring 90% are also facing dejection as they don't manage to secure a seat in a college of their choice. Where are we headed?" asked a city principal.
Meanwhile, with the pandemic forcing first-year junior college (FYJC) admissions to move completely online, the education department will soon launch a mobile application to help students fill application forms with ease.
Part I of the form-filling process for FYJC admissions will begin on August 1. The rest of the detailed schedule will be released soon.
Principals predict a 1-2% rise in cut-offs, making it tough for even those with 90% to secure a seat of their choice.
In Mumbai alone, almost 15,000 SSC students have scored 90% and above. The last time the city saw over 14,000 90%-plus scorers was in 2011. The numbers had dropped last year to 5,399 due to changes in the evaluation pattern.
Seats in commerce and arts will be difficult in sought-after colleges. Parag Thakkar from HR College said the cut-offs in the first merit list will rise by 1-2% in commerce and arts courses in top colleges.
Whether the rise of 90% scorers is between 90% and 95% or in the above 95% bracket will decide the cut-offs in subsequent lists too, said Thakkar.
Several science aspirants are likely to choose junior colleges offering integrated coaching for their NEET and JEE preparation, and are expected to choose a junior college closer home, said a principal.
"Post Covid, parents would anyway want to choose a college closer home for their children. As several junior colleges offering integrated coaching are coming up in the suburbs, it will become the likeliest choice of science aspirants. The cut-offs are likely to rise even in these junior colleges," said the principal.
Ashok Wadia, principal of Jai Hind College, said the rise in scores will definitely push up cut-offs. He puts in a word of caution for the massive jump among high scorers though. "These high scores may have an impact on the psychological well-being of students. There should be a uniform assessment policy across boards," said Wadia.
Almost two lakh students in the state had sought extra marks for participation in sports and cultural events, taking the total number of students with the perfect score to 242. In Mumbai alone, 32,000 have managed to get those extra marks.
"Artificial inflation of marks has become a norm across boards. It is difficult to assess the actual capabilities of a child when every board is joining the rat race. No board has managed to set a benchmark for others to follow. Students scoring 90% are also facing dejection as they don't manage to secure a seat in a college of their choice. Where are we headed?" asked a city principal.
Meanwhile, with the pandemic forcing first-year junior college (FYJC) admissions to move completely online, the education department will soon launch a mobile application to help students fill application forms with ease.
Part I of the form-filling process for FYJC admissions will begin on August 1. The rest of the detailed schedule will be released soon.
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