The recent decision may not significantly affect the performance of well-resourced students from major urban areas; however, it could place first-time test takers at a disadvantage.
Beginning in 2025, candidates will be permitted to take the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced up to three times, an increase from the former limit of two attempts. According to the revised regulations, a candidate may attempt the examination a maximum of three times within three successive years. Consequently, those who participated in JEE Advanced in both 2023 and 2024 will be eligible to sit for the exam in 2025. Conversely, candidates who last attempted the examination in 2022 will not qualify for JEE Advanced 2025. Previously, candidates were restricted to two attempts over a span of two consecutive years.
Experts have been engaged in discussions regarding the implications of the new regulations. One group contends that this change may disadvantage exceptionally talented first-time test takers, while another group argues that it provides students from rural areas with an additional opportunity to gain admission to the IITs and other leading technical institutions in the country.
Extra Opportunity
“The recent modification is a result of students’ persistent appeals over the years, as they believe that allowing a third attempt would enhance their likelihood of passing the examination. Nevertheless, an increase in the number of attempts may not necessarily be advantageous for students if they concentrate all their efforts on attempting the exam for an unlimited number of years,” says Prof Rangan Banerjee,director, IIT Delhi He explains, ” It is impractical for students to continue taking examinations, as this process requires years of intensive preparation. Furthermore, it would limit their opportunities to pursue other areas of interest where they may possess genuine talent or abilities.
“It is advisable to limit the number of attempts for the exam, as a significant number of students continue to struggle to pass even after multiple tries,” he adds.
For example, while the top 250,000 candidates who pass the JEE Main are permitted to register for the JEE Advanced, the registration figures for 2024 indicate that 186,584 candidates registered, with only 48,248 qualifying. In 2023, there were 189,744 registrants, of which 43,773 succeeded in the examination. Similarly, in 2022, 160,038 candidates registered, but only 40,712 were able to qualify.
“A rise in the number of attempts could impose excessive pressure on first-time candidates for the JEE Advanced, particularly as those retaking the exam for a third time may have a significant age gap. Furthermore, the levels of preparation are unlikely to be comparable. Students who participate in the examination three times in successive years will possess greater experience as test takers, potentially giving them an advantage over the newer candidates,” says Prof V Ramgopal Rao, VC, BITS Pilani group and Ex-director, IIT Delhi, adding that the implementation of such a system cannot establish an equitable environment for the candidates.
Research findings suggest that candidates’ performance tends to deteriorate after their second attempt. This observation may clarify the rationale behind limiting students to only two attempts in previous years. Although the recent reform will ease the admission process for certain students into IIT, it is expected to heighten competition and increase the cut-off scores, according to Prof. Rao.
Extra Chance
Professor Sarit K Das, a chair professor at IIT Madras and former director of IIT Ropar, strongly supports the introduction of a third attempt for examinations. He emphasizes that this opportunity would particularly benefit students from rural and semi-rural backgrounds, providing them with an additional chance to enhance their future prospects. “For candidates who lack the financial means to access coaching centers, the third attempt can serve as a significant advantage. Often, these individuals approach their first attempt with minimal preparation and little understanding of the necessary strategies to succeed. Consequently, their second attempt often functions as their true first attempt, as they begin to comprehend the preparation required for the exam. The third attempt, therefore, could prove to be a pivotal moment in their academic journey.”
The admission rate of rural youth to the IITs is significantly low. Professor Das contends that “the third attempt can assist in realizing their aspiration to study at the premier engineering institutions in the nation, particularly the IITs, while alleviating the anxiety associated with failure. Additionally, these candidates, especially first-generation learners from SC/ST/OBC backgrounds, benefit from age relaxation for government positions. Therefore, making multiple attempts will not impede their advancement, nor will age pose an issue.”
The recent modifications to JEE Advanced are anticipated to enhance accessibility for a wider range of students, thereby providing rural students with improved opportunities to secure a prestigious position in engineering.