Are the Standards of TS and AP EAMCET 2018 the Same?
While opinions on the reliability of standardized exams can vary among peers, my personal experience and observations suggest that the standards of the Telangana State Engineering, Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET) and Andhra Pradesh State Engineering, Agricultural and Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET) in 2018 were not the same. Let me walk you through my reasoning and experiences from that year.
My Personal Experience
On April 22, 2018, I sat for the AP-EAMCET, an event that was more of a mock test for the TS-EAMCET, as my friends and I were from the Telangana State. However, my performance did not match the well-prepared expectations I had set for myself, especially considering my struggles with other entrance exams like JEE Main, VITEEE, GITAM, GAT, Amrita, and AEEE. This left me with limited time to prepare for the EAMCET, making my participation more challenging.
A Comparison of Standards
- MPC (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry)
Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry sections in the EAMCET were consistent with past trends. The distribution of questions in Mathematics remained similar to previous years, with around 40 easy, 20 moderate, and 20 difficult questions.
- Performance in AP-EAMCET
After my AP-EAMCET and having endured JEE Main, I managed to score 83 out of 160. Although I had endured a disappointing performance in JEE Main, I found the MPC sections to be of the same standard as in past EAMCET papers.
- Preparation for TS-EAMCET
For the upcoming TS-EAMCET, I learned from my mistakes in AP-EAMCET, including not switching between questions quickly and not identifying the easiest formula-based questions in Mathematics. This led to precious time being wasted on questions with no answer. In the 13 days leading up to the exam, I took around 10-15 mock tests and consistently scored close to 100 out of 160, confirming my confidence that the final exam would resemble these mocks.
- TS-EAMCET Experiences
My friend who wrote the TS-EAMCET on May 4 expressed extreme disappointment, as the Mathematics section was considered too lengthy. Indeed, the Mathematics section in TS-EAMCET was more extensive and challenging compared to the AP-EAMCET, with fewer straightforward questions and a higher number of lengthy questions.
- Chemistry Challenges
Chemistry was another subject I performed well in, but in TS-EAMCET, it felt abnormally strange. Even before starting the paper, I predicted that I might only score 28 out of 40 in Chemistry, illustrating the challenging nature of that section. This was a stark contrast to my pre-exam confidence in AP-EAMCET, where I expected a score of 32 out of 40.
Conclusion and Observations
In conclusion, the standards of the TS and AP EAMCET in 2018 varied significantly. While newspapers highlighted the rigor and IIT standards of AP-EAMCET, the TS-EAMCET saw a much more challenging experience, particularly in Mathematics and Chemistry. It is important to consider these differences in the context of the exam's administration and the efforts to ensure a fair and consistent grading process.
For a detailed understanding of the normalization process, which adjusts scores across different versions of the exam, you can download the PDF available on this link and navigate to Page 5. Despite efforts to maintain consistency, slight variations in standards are inevitable, and normalizations play a critical role in ensuring fairness.
I hope this analysis provides a clearer picture of the differences in the standards of TS and AP EAMCET in 2018. Please feel free to upvote if you agree with my observations.