First-year undergraduate students of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV) in Indore will appear for their examinations from May 12 to May 30 under a revised pattern that brings notable changes to both structure and preparation.
Exam Structure and Participation
Over 64,000 students will take the exams across more than 100 centres. For many, the shift from an objective format to descriptive papers marks a significant adjustment. Until last year, Hindi and English foundation papers were conducted on OMR sheets with 50 objective questions. This time, both papers will carry 100 marks and include short and long answer questions, though the duration has been reduced to two hours.
Increased Academic Load
Students are also preparing for a heavier academic load. For the first time, each candidate will have to appear in 10 compulsory papers. The introduction of multidisciplinary and value-added subjects has widened academic choices, increasing the number of subjects to 401. Many students said the expanded syllabus requires broader preparation and better time management.
Student Adjustments and Challenges
While the changes aim to align courses with current academic and professional needs, they have created some uncertainty among students. Several said they are adjusting to writing detailed answers after years of objective-based assessments.
Examination controller Ashesh Tiwari said, "The revised pattern, especially in foundation subjects like Hindi and English, has been introduced to improve analytical and writing skills among students. All necessary arrangements are being made to ensure smooth conduct of examinations."
University Preparations
The university is also working to manage challenges in paper setting and evaluation for new subjects. Despite this, officials said results are expected by June 30, making this an important examination cycle for students adapting to a new format.
