CHENNAI: Despite the NEET hurdle, bio-maths stream continues to be the top preference of Class X students who have cleared their board exams since it provides the option of both engineering and medicine two years later.
Bio-maths group consists of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths.
“I want to take up bio-maths group mainly because I will have both options open. Either I can opt for engineering or medicine in future,” said R Pranati, who passed her class X board exam with 92 per cent. Most of her friends are taking up bio-maths, she added.
Another student, S Mahalakshmi, interested in pursuing medicine, said “I will take up bio-maths because I want to sit for NEET.”
It is the preference of those who want to pursue genetic engineering or become a nutritionist. “I am taking bio-maths because I want to pursue genetic engineering. If I want I can also go for research,” said S Janet. “I am not sitting for NEET exam. But, I want to become a nutritionist, hence taking up bio-maths” said Prachi Sharma.
Computer Science and Maths combination is not lagging behind. “I want to take up computer science as I enjoy the subject. I want to end up working in an IT company. I don’t like biology so I am not sitting for NEET,” said R Lathiba another student.
Meanwhile, there have been allegations that Class XI admissions were denied to students who had scored below the cut-off mark set by private schools.
While the admission process will start from Monday in most schools, many students were rejected by their own schools, given the stiff cut off. R Wahida, who lost her father just before her English exam, was denied admission in her school. She studied in Vidyodaya Girls Higher Secondary school right from LKG.
“I got 412 and the cut off set by our school was 450. The Principal said since I scored below 450, I cannot cope with the syllabus in class 11. I am searching for schools. I am trying for DAV school,” she said. The school also said that to take admission, she has to sit for an entrance test. However, her aunt, who was furious with the school’s behaviour, said the school should empathise with her situation.
Another student, denied admission in a reputed school where she had studied right from LKG, said “I got 420 marks. The cut off in my school is 350. But, I want to pursue commerce and majority in my school wants to pursue commerce. So the principal is not giving me admission. For commerce, admission is for those who have 480 and above. Principal told me that as per the half yearly marks, I am not fit for commerce... I told the principal if I do not do well in commerce, I will change after the half yearly exams. Still admission was denied to me.”