First JEE Main 2013 online exam held smoothly

The first Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) 2013 online examination held smoothly in 26 cities across the country, some students alleged ambiguities and factual errors in a few questions.

Around 1.75 lakh candidates will appear for the computer-based-test on all four days in 26 cities. As seen in the offline exam held on April 7, candidates found physics paper tougher than chemistry and mathematics.

"Physics had some tricky questions but maths and chemistry were both relatively easy," said student Jyotirmoy Ray.

However, some students and experts alleged that a few questions were ambiguous or factually incorrect. "Some students reported as many as seven debatable questions worth 28 marks. Since the exam was online, we are unable to pinpoint or confirm these errors and students may suffer," said Praveen Tyagi, director, IITian's PACE.

"Questions based on mechanics and electro-dynamics were tricky and took sometime. The paper was based on concepts rather than memory. Physics numerical were not difficult. Questions in chemistry and mathematics made the paper comfortable,'' said Sandeep, a candidate.

The exam is conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). CBSE coordinator, Lucknow Jawaid Alam Khan said, "according to the feedback, no technical snags were reported. Candidates found problem in locating the centre as many were in the interiors of the city though most of them reached the venue by 8 am.''

Experts had earlier claimed that the exam held on April 7 had up to 20 marks of controversial or erroneous questions though the Central Board of Secondary Education, which is conducting the exam, has not confirmed this so far.