KOLKATA: Many colleges in the city have decided to prepare the merit list for undergraduate candidates based on the percentile system, instead of the individual percentages, which principals feel will create a level playing field for all applicants.
The institutes took this decision as both CISCE and CBSE awarded a deluge of marks to their Class XII students, while the West Bengal Council for Higher Secondary Education brought down the number of students in the 90%-99% bracket. Principals feel it would be difficult to admit students based solely on their Class XII final marks.
Some principals have decided to wait till all the applications are submitted by August 20 and then, scrutinize them and decide on the method to prepare the merit lists.
The percentile system gives an idea of an applicant’s position on a merit list, compared to other candidates. The percentile is calculated by dividing the number of applicants who have scored less than him/her by the total number of candidates and then, multiplying the number by 100. So, if 100 people take a test and 99 score less or equal to a particular student, then his/her percentile is 99. “Our college will prepare the merit list, based on the percentile system so that applicants know where they stand in comparison to others. It will give an equal opportunity to all,” said Siuli Sarkar, principal of Lady Brabourne College.
Although there was a jump in the pass percentage of HS this year, only 9,013 candidates scored 90% and above. Last year, 31,000 HS students were in this group, giving them a clear edge over those from CISCE and CBSE. This time, those scoring between 60% and 69% have increased by almost 56,000. CISCE and CBSE this year marked their students liberally with a deluge of 90%. “The system to evaluate Class XII students by the various boards is not scientific and creates a disparity, which will go against HS students,” said Partha Pratim Roy, secretary of Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association, which even wrote to the education minister, pointing out this aspect.
Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration, one of the most sought-after institutes for commerce in the city, will also prepare the merit list, based on the percentile system, to do away with any disparity. “Sometimes, students with a difference of one mark or even half-a-mark get different grades, which can make a big difference during college admission. The percentile system can eliminate such disparities,” said an official of the college.
Many colleges will take a final decision after all the applications come in. “We have decided to take a final decision on how we will calculate after August 20. Our aim is to provide a level playing field to all applicants,” said Asok Mukhopadhyay, principal at Seth Anandram Jaipuria College.
