With mercury rising, exam preparation soaring and tension mouting, we have EAMCET 2008 Convener Dr. E. Sai Baba Reddy’s tips to cool off the tense nerves “Relax, be focused and give your best !”

TCG: How are the preparations for EAMCET 2008?

SBR: Good. Everything is going as per the Schedule. All the centers have been identified. Hall tickets were issued at all the Regional centers and dispatched by post.

TCG: At how many centers in AP is the test conducted?

SBR : 22 regional centers, Adilabad, Anantapur, Eluru, Guntur, Hyderabad, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Khammam, Karimnagar, Mehboobnagar, Nellore, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Ongole, Srikakulam, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Vizag, Vizianagaram, Warangal & Machlipatnam (Introduced this year).

TCG: How many candidates appeared last year? How many candidates are appearing this year?

SBR: 1, 87,213 candidates appeared for Engineering, 94, 218 for Agriculture & Medicine in 2007. This year 2, 70,410 candidates will be appearing for Engineering, 79,677 for Agriculture & Medicine.

TCG: Is there any specific reason behind rise in students for engineering as compared to medicine?

SBR: This may be probably, because, in engineering wider choice of branches and also a large number of seats available, compared to medicine which has limited seats. Moreover an engineer can start his career at an early age compared to a medico.

TCG: How many applications are registered so far? Are there any test centers outside AP?

SBR: We still have doors open for late applicants who can pay Rs. 5000/- and register themselves. This is for those who have applied till the last day of April. So far we have received over 80 applications in this category. Students who wish to apply from the 1st to the 7th of May need to pay Rs. 10000/-.  No Test Centres are available outside Andhra Pradesh.

Thanks to JNTU for giving me the opportunity to take EAMCET by extending the date of application. I could apply as a late applicant, last week – Harshita, Grade XII- Oakridge International School

TCG: Are you planning to reduce the cutoff marks for eligibility?

SBR: No change in cut off marks. It is still 25%.

TCG: Is there any online hall ticket distribution this year?

SBR: Yes, like the last year the hall tickets will be available on EAMCET website www.apeamcet.org from the first week of May. We recommend the students to have original Hall Tickets and use online Hall Tickets as only emergency purpose.  We will allow the downloaded hall tickets and the candidates need to surrender them to the invigilators.

TCG: What is the standard of engineering and medical courses in our State as compared to the other States?

SBR: The Engineering and Medical graduates of our state are doing well in India and Abroad.

TCG: Is there any change in the pattern of the EAMCET question paper this year?

SBR: No changes.

TCG: What are the facilities at the exam centers, like drinking water, medical aid, students with missing hall tickets etc?

SBR: Yes, emergency services and drinking water will be made available. There will be
sign boards and people to guide the candidates to the Examination Halls.  In case of help regarding the issue of hall tickets, students may browse through our official website, www.apeamcet.org . They may also call on our helpline numbers 040-23056461 or 040-64543718. Though the candidates are allowed half an hour before into Examination Hall, the examination centers will allow the candidates into the premises an hour before the scheduled time to avoid the last minute chaos.

TCG: Can we say that EAMCET is conducted on par with AIEEE & IIT?

SBR: EAMCET is a state level exam whilst AIEEE & IIT are conducted nation wide. Nonetheless preparation for conduction of EAMCET is equally serious and standardized. EAMCET is made transparent, we keep the question paper and key on website after EAMCET exam.  We stick to the Board of Intermediate syllabus published by the Telugu Akademi books.

TCG: What is your opinion on online counseling for engineering and medical students?

SBR: It is certainly a welcome change as it will be more transparent to the public and given sufficient time for the candidates to give their choice.

TCG: What is the tentative date for the release of EAMCET results?

SBR: Generally the results will be announced in two weeks after the examination.

TCG: How really helpful are the Coaching centers and Concept Schools which are mushrooming in every part of the city & State for EAMCET?

SBR: It is good to have the Coaching centers they train the students by orienting them for competitive examinations.  However, I feel students shall be given sufficient free time to think, analyse and review what they have studied and understood. This probably lagging in a few coaching centers.

TCG: In Engineering is I.T still the most sought after stream even after the economic recession in the US? Are there any other good career options other than I.T.? If so what are they?

SBR: I.T. was the most sought after field couple of years ago. Software engineer’s destination was the US, perhaps it still is. In my opinion it is not the branch you choose is important but how good at your subject is important.  Besides I.T, with the need of infrastructure development, I see a very promising future for civil, mechanical, aeronautical and all core streams of engineering for that matter. The student who understands the concepts only becomes good engineer or medico for that matter a good and useful citizen.

TCG: More and more students are leaving for Russia and China to study medicine. How different is it from India? Faculty, facilities, infrastructure, lifestyle etc?

SBR: Brain drain is receding here. Graduates are no longer keen to go abroad to study or work because India offers excellent education facilities and handsome pay packets. Yes, students who wish to pursue medicine in countries like China & Russia may be doing so because getting admission there may be comparatively easier than in India. Moreover it may not as expensive as in our country (compared to private medical colleges). These could be the probable reasons why they wish to study there. 

Advice to the parents and family members: 
You have an important role to play in the performance of your child.  Please keep off the disturbing events at home at least during the last couple of weeks including (i) Switch off TV (ii) Do not entertain guests (unless very essential or important)  (iii) Do not advice too much on the preparation (iv) Leave the candidate to his / her preparation method and settle.  Give him / her isolation as they desire. (v) Sometimes they would like to relax them.  Keep them happy and never discuss with them about their preparation unless they themselves start discussing.  Keep them in positive mood.

TCG: Of all the States in the country, Andhra Pradesh seems to concentrate the most on Medical & Engineering branches more than other fields. This trend has been FIXED for almost 30 years. Do you see any change in the trend? Do you think students are looking at the other options?

SBR: It may appear so, but statistics have a different story to tell. In 2008, as many as 8.5 lakhs students wrote final year intermediate examination in the state.  The total number of students appearing for EAMCET 2008 is about 3.5 lakhs (which include a good number of senior students as well).  That means more than half i.e. 4 lakhs students are not opting for EAMCET.

TCG: You have seen parents and students for many years. Regarding career choice do the parents push their children to accomplish their own unfulfilled dreams/ aspirations simply because the society is going that way or do they really weigh the pros and cons, take the child’s interest into concern and THEN plan the career?

SBR: This is again a general perspective. Parents always have high expectations from their children and usually many children reciprocate positively. I think the present generation is bold enough to voice their choice and at the same time take their parent’s advice.

TCG: Competition seems to be the theme of the day. Do you see healthy competition amongst the students appearing for the exam?

SBR: I think students always have a healthy competition; it is adults who give different connotations to this!

TCG: Which city/town in AP produces maximum toppers? Is there any specific reason?

SBR: There isn’t any specific place. It’s different every year.

TCG: Finally, what are your suggestions for the students appearing for EAMCET 2008?

SBR:
Advice to students:
1. Believe in your efforts and stick to   your preparation method, as you know      what is best for you.
2.Do not change guides or study material and pattern of preparation in the last minute which may bring confusion and lack of clarity.
3.Do not get worked up, while preparation for the exam, performance is also another most important aspect. Remember, those three hours you need be focused, alert and relaxed. 
4.Please see your exam center a day before, to avoid last minute tension and confusion.
5.On OMR Sheet, your Photo, Name, Hall Ticket No will be printed.  Ensure that you got your own OMR Sheet, if not inform the Invigilator.  He / She will change with correct one or OMR Sheet without Hall Ticket number where you need to fill your Hall Ticket Number.
6. Mark your answer on OMR Sheet as soon as you finalise the answer or at least once for every 10 questions.  Some students initially mark / tick their answers on question paper thinking that they transfer them on OMR at the end.  This practice is dangerous, in last minute, you may not have sufficient time and in a hurry you may mark on wrong circle.  So be time conscious, planned and cool while answering.