Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP) 2016 was conducted across 32 centres in India from 2pm to 4pm on December 18. However, the Dronacharya College of Engineering, Gurugram, candidates were given additional 30 minutes to complete the paper, the reason being a delay in students reaching the exam venue due to technical faults in the Metro.
PaGaLGuY discussion threads were abuzz with student complaints regarding the issue. “I believe this is sheer injustice since SNAP is a mixed challenge that tests a candidate on the basis of his/her ability to solve 150 questions in ‘120 minutes’. It is completely unfair to thousands of students who have their careers at stake and this examination was a potential opportunity,” said Mayukh Roy, one of the candidates.
Some students also vented their anger on the discussion threads, claiming this move to be completely against the testing norms and standards of the exam that were announced well before the examination. “The exam requires to test all the appearing candidates on ‘equal grounds’ and an extra 30 minutes can create a huge difference in the marks of those who appeared for the test from that centre. Consequently, the rest of the students throughout the country stand at a disadvantage, with many deserving candidates left to suffer a huge loss in their careers,” Roy added.
When PaGaLGuY approached Symbiosis International University (SIU) for a comment, Dr Rajani Gupte, Vice Chancellor, SIU said, “We have been receiving complaints from many students regarding this. We have set up a committee to look into the matter. Currently, we are awaiting its reports. We want to tell our candidates to be rest assured that SIU always takes decisions on issues keeping in mind the best interest of students.” Despite several calls, Dronacharya College of Engineering authorities were unavailable for comment.
Meanwhile, in Eswari Engineering College, Ramapuram, Chennai, students appearing for the test in the PG block of the campus, were not allowed to enter the exam centre before 2pm, contrary to the exam instructions that had intimated students to enter the exam room latest by 1:30pm. “I’m not sure what the reason for the delay was but it was chaotic. I think all aspirants reached their respective halls by 2.10 – 2.15 pm and were asked to start the test instantly.The time lost due to mismanagement was not accounted for properly,” complained Radha Krishnan, one of the aspirants. PaGaLGuY tried to get in touch with the college authorities but they were unavailable for comment.