National Testing Agency and the examination ahead

National Testing Agency (NTA) was approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2017 as an Autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational Institutions.

The NTA will bring qualitative difference in the examination process by its focus on research and scientific test design using services of Experts, Researchers, Statisticians, Psychometricians, Test Item Writers and Education Specialists. The item writers would be trained to ensure that the quality of questions is as per the test design. The experts, statisticians and item writers/subject matter experts are already identified for being inducted into NTA.

The syllabus and the pattern of question paper would remain the same.

There will be NO increase in the exam fees currently being charged.

Features of exams to be conducted by NTA:

i) For the first time in the history of competitive examinations, the JEE (Main) and NEET (UG) will be conducted twice before admissions in the next academic session. This gives a choice to

the students.

ii) This will give more chances to students thereby giving adequate opportunity to bring out his/her best and reducing stress which develops due to single exam conducted on one single day

in the year. However, sitting in both the tests will not be compulsory. The two tests (each for JEE (Main) & NEET (UG)) will be equated using psychometric methods, standardization techniques and best of the equated scores will be used for the admissions.

iii) The examinations for all candidates will be conducted in online (computer based) mode only. (starting from next exam UGCNET exam)

iv) All the tests ( UGC- NET ( December), JEE (Main) & NEET (UG)) will be conducted in multiple sittings and a candidate will have an option of dates to choose from. Scores of different candidates in multiple sittings will also be equated using standard isation techniques.

v) These examinations will use highly secured IT software and encryption to ensure delivery of tests just in time. This will ensure no leakages and other malpractices.

vi) NTA will establish a network of test practice centres for students of rural areas so that everyone will have an opportunity to practice before the exam. Schools/engineering colleges with computer centres would be identified and kept open on Saturday/Sunday starting from 3rd week of August. Any student can use the facility free of charge.

vii) All tests would be set in a scientific manner with the test items developed jointly by the subject matter experts and psychometricians. Before developing the question papers, the

item writers for the exams will be given feedback on the functioning of the previous years’ items so that they are able to make test items which are more valid and reliable. All the above

mentioned examinations will be held in existing number of languages.

Exams and tentative schedule

In order to allow adequate time for preparing for the exams, the tentative

schedule for exams is being declared well in advance:

1. UGC-NET in Dec 2018: (tentative schedule)

2. JEE (Main) in Jan 2019 and April 2019: tentative schedule

A. Jan 2019 Exam

B. April 2019 Exam

3. NEET (UG) in Feb 2019 and May 2019

A. Feb 2019 Exam

B. May 2019 Exam

4. CMAT & GPAT in Jan 2019