The JEE Main April session has been postponed and fresh dates are awaited. MUSBA HASHMI speaks with educationists and students about what the delay means and how can aspirants make the best of it

The postponement of JEE Main April session is not a surprise. With the recent deadly surge in COVID cases, it is a welcome move.  

The session was supposed to be held on April 27, April 28 and April 30. After the  intervention of Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal, the National Testing Agency (NTA) gave out the statement.

The agency has stated that the new dates of these exams will be announced 15 days in advance and students should not put a halt or become lenient in studies.

“Earlier this month, the Class X Boards were also cancelled. Whereas Class XII Boards were postponed  given the  importance that they hold. All these are much needed steps in the view of the current situation,” Saurabh Kumar, National Director Academics, Vidyamandir Classes (VMC), says.

While this was a crucial time for students who were all set to appear for Boards, this delay is a blessing in disguise for them. “The postponement of Boards may also lead to postponement of JEE Advanced exam as well. But students can see it as a blessing in disguise and use this time to practice more. They should also revise the Class XI syllabus and study all the concepts that they find tough,” Kumar explains.

While, a majority of students are happy with the decision, bright students who wanted to prove their mettle are left disappointed. However, a checkpoint which was there ever since in class 10th has suddenly disappeared, on the other hand class 10th marksheet was only used to verify date of birth only. However, the exit exam for school system is class 12th which is still intact and is key factor for admission in multiple graduation courses”

Kanishk Srivastava, a VMC Student says that the postponement won’t concern the students who attained a good percentile in previous sessions are now preparing for JEE Advanced.

“For those who couldn’t perform well in preceding sessions, this is a make or break situation. If they study hard, they can improve their score drastically and if they don’t and get relaxed, their score might drop,” Srivastava says.

Another student, Namrata Jha, who studies at VMC, feels that there wasn’t a need of postponing this session. “I don’t think that there was any need for this postponement, because the number of JEE Mains this year has already been increased from two to four, and one attempt is expected in May too. So students could have decided to not give this attempt, if they wanted to. Postponing exams create uncertainty and distress and should be avoided,” she asserts.

Experts, however, are of the opinion that this delay is the best time for  students to brush up their knowledge of the subjects. “The decision might leave some students disappointed. However, the wise thing to do is to keep on practicing. The delay simply means extra time for preparation. Don’t lose hope. Think of this time, like last year, as a bonus. Work on your weak concepts, revise as much as you can and don’t indulge in wasting time. This is indeed the best time for serious students,” says Swoyan Satyendu, Director, ODM Public School.

While postponing the examinations was a necessary step taking into account the rising Covid-19 cases all over the country, the news has come as a shock to the students who had prepared themselves for the exams. “JEE is one of the most popular entrance exams in our country and it often defines the career trajectories of many students. Several students had not even appeared for the February session and had opted instead to prepare for the April session as it gave them more time to focus on improving their weak areas. The fact that it has been postponed now has left them in a state of limbo — not knowing what to do. I would advise students not lose hope and continue revising their syllabus. The situation may seem unsalvageable at the moment but we must realise that the most important thing right now is to stay safe and healthy. It’s like they say, “live to fight another day,”  Mena Mittle, Vice-principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, says.