Knowing the Significance of Cut-Off as the Admission Season Sets Rolling

The Delhi University which kick started their process of filling and submission of forms for admission to undergraduate courses on 4 June 2012 is gearing up to bring out their cut off lists by the end of June 2012. What and how does the application process determine a student’s further course of action? To decode all the answers it is imperative for us to understand the term ‘Cut Off’!

Josh goes on a descriptive mode explaining the term and the know-how’s related to it.

What is a cut-off and its significance?

A cut off is basically a merit list that filters students as per a designated percentage. The merit list or the Cut off is generally decided by a college’s body comprising the dean and the concerned head of the department.

With lakhs of students applying to Delhi University every year, it becomes very difficult for the university to accommodate all the students. Every college in the university has a subject wise cut off list that only allows those students to take admission who fall into the concerned percentage bracket. The basic significance is to clearly differentiate between average and above average students . The other significance is to control and monitor the standards of the particular university and stick by it.

Parameters to decide upon a cut-off list

A cut off list is generally an informed and highly researched decision taken by a group of people by the concerned college. The board which decides the list, takes a run down on the board exam marking pattern and the average marks that are allocated to students in the board examination. The first cut off is generally kept on the higher side , however it scales down by the third or the fourth cut off.

How many cut-off lists are brought out by colleges in DU?

Generically, there are three cut-off lists that are brought out by colleges over a period of two weeks. Some ‘high end ‘ colleges like SRCC or Stephens at times also come out with the fourth list if a considerable number of seats are still vacant.

Last year saw a situation of roar and chaos when SRCC came up with a flawless 100 percent as their cut off. Though the college and the education system was openly critiqued, the college tried compensating the situation by bringing out a fourth cut-off , but only for the non-commerce background students.

2011 saw a huge percentage or cut off for commerce students , where SRCC saw a 100 percent, most colleges such as Kirori Mal College and Delhi College of Arts and Commerce witnessed a near to perfect 95 % as their cut-off. For courses like English hons, most good colleges like Miranda House and Kamala Nehru had their own personalized entrance exam, where they filtered students as per the test. The test was followed by a short interview and finally the students were shortlisted accordingly. Similarly science courses such as Chemistry honours also have their own cut off radar and the cut off generally swings from 85 % to 90% according to the college.

This year the cut-off lists are scheduled to be out by 26 June 2012. The form submission process is to be completed by students by 18 June 2012. Josh hopes that after reading the article, one would be able to easily comprehend the nuances related to a cut-off list.

Finally, Josh wishes all the students a very best for their future choices and endeavors.