Andhra Pradesh: All universities to have common entrance test for PG courses

VISAKHAPATNAM: For the first time in its history, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has in-principle decided to conduct a common entrance test to fill postgraduate seats in all universities of the state.
Even admissions will be conducted through a single window counselling mechanism, doing away with varsity-wise separate entrance tests, admission notifications and counselling processes.
So far, students seeking admissions into conventional science, arts and commerce postgraduate programmes would have to apply separately for each university. There are 14 conventional universities in the state with a total intake of about 15,000 PG seats.
The APSCHE is currently aggregating data as the universities would drop some courses and add a few new courses for the next academic year. The common entrance test is expected to offer a lot of convenience to the students in terms of choice of courses and universities, in addition to saving money and time.
Other than these regular programmes, state-wide common tests are being conducted for the remaining courses. For example, ICET (integrated common entrance test) is held for giving admissions into MBA and MCA courses.
Likewise, APPGECET (Post Graduate Engineering Common Entrance Test) is held for PG engineering seats. There are also state-wide entrance tests for teacher education, engineering, law and other courses at the graduation level.
Chairman, APSCHE, Prof K Hemachandra Reddy, said APSCHE is seeking appropriate permission from the state government to go ahead with the common entrance test.
“Today, the world has become a global village due to technological advancements. In the existing scenario, for instance, if a student from Rayalaseema wants to take admission in Andhra University, he needs to appear for a separate entrance test. If the same candidate has a second preference for another university, he/she is compelled to take another test. That’s why the APSCHE has in-principle decided to roll out a single entrance test and single window admission system for all varsities,” said Prof Hemachandra Reddy.
The APSCHE chairman added that a single entrance would make it easier for the students to choose their preferred courses and educational institutions. “The APSCHE’s major objective behind this move is to decrease the discomfort of the students and ensure transparent admission process. The APSCHE is proposing to conduct the entrance test in September,” said Prof Hemachandra Reddy.