Difficult Physics paper stumps MHT-CET takers

Diligent students geared up to crack the Maharashtra Health-Technical Common Entrance Test (MHT-CET) held on Tuesday across the state were disappointed by a tough Physics paper. The exam saw nearly 53,000 examinees from the city and suburbs attempt the test across 80 allotted centres.

Among students attempting all four papers, viz. Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths (PCBM), several did not find time to finish the lengthy Physics exam. Sudeshna Shetty, a student of RJ College, Ghatkopar, said, “The Physics paper was very lengthy as usual. I couldn’t attempt the last four to five questions properly. I just ticked the answers without even reading all the options. Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics were very simple.”

Another student, Omkar Misal Sharma, who attempted the medical as well as the engineering exam, said, “As the Physics paper was difficult, I will lose a few marks in PCB. However, I am confident about Biology and Maths paper which were easy,” said Misal, who attempted the exam from a centre at Thane.

Students vying for engineering colleges will compete for 71,701 seats available in 221 institutes across the state. The competition is tougher for students vying for seats in medical colleges as only 3,785 seats are available in 58 colleges across the state for the health science course. Pharmacy aspirants are competing for 7,675 seats in 131 colleges.

A few students were sent back from King George School, Dadar. “Some students were sent back as they reached the centre late. It was mentioned in the hall ticket that students will not be allowed in any centre post 10 am,” said an examinee.

In another case, a handful of students from the city, all winners of the Physics Olympiad, could not attempt the MHT-CET this year as they were away for a camp organised by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science and Education.

Abhishek Padmanabhan, a student who won a medal at the Physics Olympiad this year, missed the exams due to the Physics camp at Anushakti Nagar. However, his mother Radhika said, “He is interested in a seat in the IITs and is confident about getting one. They get to learn a lot in the camps organised by the centre.”

However, several others were disappointed that the CET was scheduled during the two-week camp.