Taking an examination is always stressful for students, more so, if it is a competitive examination that defines his/her entry into a professional academic field and a future career path. Engineering entrance is one such examination which the students attempt after intense preparation of two or more years in highly competitive environment. Conducting authorities, counselors, parents and the student themselves strive to keep stress levels in control so that the performance in examination is not hampered. In the last two years CBSE has introduced major reforms by (1) introduction of online mode of examination in addition to the traditional mode in 2012 and (2) standardization of examination in 2013 to a two-tier structure (JEE Main & Advanced) for admissions to all reputed engineering institutions including the IITs and the NITs, IIITs, and other centrally-funded technical institutes.  

While I discussed in my previous post about the changing examination pattern, would now like to bring forth the advantages offered by online examination option vs. offline mode and address some common doubts that trouble the minds of the students regarding the online mode.

When the online mode was introduced in 2012 for AIEEE, in selected metro cities, it got mixed response from the students. Many students travelled out to take offline exam into nearby towns, if the offline option was not available in their cities. This action possibly stemmed from "fear of the unknown" and long familiarity and training in pen and paper mode of examination. This year, the number of such students has declined considerably according to CBSE officials. 

The online mode is currently available for Paper I of JEE Main but Paper II is offline as is JEE Advanced. CBSE is making imperative changes to drive greater number of students to online mode which not only makes the examination more transparent but also helps cut down on time and money spent to conduct the examination. 

• While writing the examination, if there is any problem in a system, then buffers are available. The lost time will be recorded and it will be duly compensated.
• The option for change of mode of examination to offline is available but once you have opted for a date that remains fixed.
• There is no question booklet provided but the question paper will be mailed to you at the end of examination. The computer screen will display the instruction page for a fixed duration which will not form part of the examination time. 
• Rough sheets are provided to work out the answers.

Next we come to the advantages that the computer-based examination offers over pen and paper-examination:

• Any JEE Main aspirant would have to fill the application online. There is no provision to submit this in offline mode to a center. This step would inculcate the use of internet in students in smaller towns and rural areas. It indicates CBSE's intent to develop this examination in completely online mode.
• The examinations center options for pen and paper based examination and the computer based examination has no city in common. The pen and paper option is not available in major cities, thus sending out CBSE's message that computer savvy aspirants in cities should opt for online mode.
• The fee of the online examination mode has been kept lower than the offline mode.
• It also offers multiple examination date options to students for taking the examination.

Let us first enlist the features of the online examination mode that will help clarify many of your fears related to it:

• The level in all the examinations (both offline and online conducted on different days and slots) will be the same.
• It is secure and uninterrupted since it is not dependent on internet. It is conducted using local area network (LAN).
• Requires no more computer knowledge than operation of a mouse. Mock tests are available on JEE website to familiarize you with the actual exam.
• Option of multiple dates to take the examination as against fixed date for offline mode. The examination is conducted in two shifts and the candidate can opt for a time slot of his choice.
• Option to change the answer during exam duration, unlike in the OMR sheet.
• Option to mark the question/answer for review if you are not sure of the answer.
• User-friendly display screen that shows the questions: answered, left unanswered and marked for review at a glance.
• The option of viewing the question in Hindi for better clarity is available, even if you have opted to attempt it in English.
• Re-evaluation process is also faster as no physical files need to be dug up for the answer sheets of the students.

The aspirants and the users of the online examination also have encouraging views on computer-based examination:

• Limits indulgence in malpractice such as cheating, copying or leakage of papers.
• Evaluation is transparent and reliable.
• Promotes sharp and quick thinking traits. Encourages faster understanding of the problem and smart elimination of incorrect options.
• Inculcates better time management practices and quick responses.
• Offers option to select a different answer to a question after review; rewriting not possible on OMR sheet.
• Can choose dates that do not clash with other entrance examination scheduled.
• Availability of offline paper before the online examination acquaints with the examination trends for the year. 
• The regular practice on online mock tests, as part of preparation, increases familiarity with this mode and improves performance in actual examination.