Barcode blunders, delay in paper distribution in Gujarat CET

Complaints of inappropriate barcode system and delay in distribution of exam papers started pouring in as students appeared for the Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GujCET) conducted in Ahmedabad.

According to students and parents, examinees complained of blunder in barcode system from exam block number 612 to 616 at Paldi Vikas Gruh, one of the exam centres. In another complaint from a school in Naranpura, students were given exam paper seven minutes late and their answer sheets were taken five minutes before the deadline.

According to a parent, Mayur Joshi, parents who were standing outside were informed by the school authority that there was a delay in starting the exam because of some problem in barcode.

"Students were not allowed to enter school before 9:50 am and the barcode blunder delayed answering of the paper by another 10 minutes. The students complained that examination in-charge at the centre made them erase barcode number and write another number in its place. When we asked authorities if they had consulted GSHSEB authorities, they refused to answer or meet us," he said. The parents could not meet school authorities. They now intend to make a representation before the DEO.

On the other hand, students complained that the physics paper was extremely tough. Some students even compared it with IIT exams. Students said that though biology and mathematics papers were easy there were some printing mistakes that might cause loss of one mark in biology paper.

According to a press release from the GSHSEB, 1,11,720 students appeared in the group A, 36,004 in group B and 77,017 in group AB in the GujCET on Thursday. No case of cheating was registered, the release said.