Coaching institutes brace for Sept tests

Nagpur: Coaching institutes are now preparing the ground to boost students’ morale as now there seems to be certainty about JEE and NEET dates. The Supreme Court on Monday had ruled out change of dates which means that the highly delayed exams will finally get underway.
Panini Telang, director of Pioneer Study Centre, says, “The delay has already affected students. Any delay or confusion over dates always affects students psychologically. The momentum is lost whenever things drag out.”
He added that though the Supreme Court ruling was more from a non-interference point of view, the government may still give in to demands from parents/students and extend dates. “That’s why a little bit of uncertainty is still present, which is not a good thing at all,” said Telang.
Sarang Upganlwar, director of ICAD, agreed saying it is not an easy job to keep morale high over a long period. “In fact, there comes a point after which you cannot do anything. The exam was slotted for summer, and dates keep getting pushed with everyday being full of confusion. When such things prolong, it’s a tough job for everyone,” said Upganlawar. He added that now with September being the exam month, students too are slowly getting charged up. “Now that they have realized that it’s finally happening, it will help us to interact with them in a more meaningful way,” said Upganlawar.
Rajnikant Bondre, director of Sneha Classes, said students’ morale needs to be kept up both by motivational talks plus focus on studies. “The motivational talks are extremely important to keep pushing them and ensuring that they hold on till the exam date. Also to ensure that their focus is maintained, studies and mock tests are continuing,” said Bondre.
National Testing Agency (NTA), the nodal authority for conducting both JEE and NEET, is planning to go ahead with the exams in September. Details of how Covid-19 guidelines will be adhered to are still awaited, but it’s certain that seating arrangement will undergo a drastic change.