Inter to carry 50% weightage in Eamcet

The state government has decided to increase the weight of intermediate marks in Eamcet from the existing 25 per cent to 50 per cent from 2011.
This is part of its long-term plan to phase out the Eamcet as the doorway to professional courses.
“It is ridiculous to have an entrance examination at this juncture,” said a senior official. “We introduced the exam when there were only few seats and a large number of students. But now, the seats are more and students are less.”
Braving criticism from a section of the academia, the government has implemented the 25 per cent Inter marks weight formula this year. Neighbouring states Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also increased the weightage of the Class-XII marks in the common entrance test.
Officials said the craze for Eamcet has reached unhealthy levels and was affecting intermediate education.
“Students and colleges are concentrating only on Eamcet and ignoring the Intermediate examinations,” said Mr K.C. Reddy, chairman of the State Higher Education Council.
Though the state government decided to give weightage to Intermediate marks after much thought, the decision provoked criticism that it would increase rich-poor divisions.
“The new system has actually benefited the urban people who can afford corporate college education for their children,” said the government whip, Dr S. Sailajanath.
However, the technical education minister, Mr M. Venkata Ramana, said the measure would help poor students. “Since Eamcet is conducted for 160 marks, a student would be able to get a maximum of 40 marks under the new system.”