In GCET, top physics score drops by 11 marks

PANAJI: The maximum score by a student in physics at the 2021 Goa common entrance test (GCET), the results for which were declared on Tuesday, was 59 out of 75. But officials attributed the dip in score to ‘normal fluctuations’, and said that it was in no way connected to the pandemic. In 2020, 70 was the best score in physics.
VN Shet, chairman of the GCET 2021 committee, said that many students had not attempted questions, probably due to confusion as exams like NEET and JEE have negative marking for wrong answers, while GCET doesn’t have the rule.
However, having a combined score 131 out of 150 in physics and mathematics, Panaji resident Swatit Rau Valaulicar emerged at the top, and is eligible to seek admissions to any engineering college and stream of his choice in the state.
The student of Mushtifund Aryaan Higher Secondary School, however, said that he aims to join a national institute.
“I am going to answer BITSAT and JEE (Advanced), and depending on the results, I will decide on which stream I want to pursue,” said Swatit, son of civil engineer Shripad Rau Valaulicar and homemaker Shambhavi.
Along with Swatit, Joshua Barreto, Sairaj Ghosarwadkar and Manali Manjarekar had the best Maths score of 73 out of 75 in GCET.
Sairaj had the top score of 70 in the state in chemistry, while Aditya Bhat had the best score of 59 in physics.
The GCET, the qualifying exam for entry to engineering and pharmacy degree seats in Goa, was answered by 2,829 students in all, said director of technical education Vivek Kamat.
The test was held across 16 centres this year on July 29 and 30, after delay in its conduct due to the pandemic situation.
“Last year, 2,954 students registered and 2,817 appeared for GCET, so there has been no impact on the numbers due to the pandemic,” said Kamat, responding to a question.
He said that AICTE has permitted engineering colleges to begin classes for first year students by October 25, by which time the admission process in Goa will be complete.
Kamat said that the drop in top score in physics as against last year’s was due to “normal fluctuations” and could not be linked to the pandemic in any way.
“Every year, the students are different, the papers are different and the situations are different,” he said.
Bhat said that at least around 100 students were seen skipping questions they were not sure of at GCET 2021, which could have affected their score.
“The students need to be guided properly by teachers. At NEET and JEE, there is negative marking if you attempt a question and your answer turns out to be wrong. For GCET, there is no negative marking,” said Bhat.
Chairman of the admission committee, Dipak Gaitonde, said that the process of accepting applications for admission to degree programmes is expected to start from next week.