Education – CUET Candidates Report Technical Issues and Travel-Related Stress

Education –  Students appearing for the Common University Entrance Test this year have voiced serious concerns over poor coordination at examination centres, technical disruptions and rising mental pressure linked to the admission process. Many candidates described the experience as tiring and chaotic, especially during the initial phase of the examination conducted across multiple cities.

Long queues were visible outside several centres last week as candidates waited for entry under intense heat and crowded conditions. In many locations, traffic congestion near examination venues slowed movement and created confusion among students and parents. The situation became more difficult for those travelling from distant areas after receiving centres far from their homes.

Students Face Long Travel Distances

Introduced by the National Testing Agency in 2022, the Common University Entrance Test was designed to bring uniformity to undergraduate admissions in central universities. However, several candidates from Delhi and surrounding regions said the current examination arrangements have created unnecessary difficulties.

Many students claimed they were assigned centres located far outside their preferred areas. Some travelled for several hours to reach examination venues situated on city outskirts or in neighbouring districts. Candidates said the fear of getting stuck in traffic or arriving late increased anxiety before the examination even began.

One student from Delhi, who did not wish to be identified, said she was allotted an examination centre in Faridabad despite living in the national capital. According to her, the journey itself became stressful because of heavy traffic and uncertainty about reaching on time.

Admit Card Delays Add to Anxiety

Another candidate, Sareena, said she received her admit card only around thirty minutes before the examination schedule. With very little preparation time left, she had to rush nearly two hours to reach the allotted centre.

She explained that repeated communication with the examination authorities later resulted in a revised examination date. However, the uncertainty surrounding the process caused considerable emotional strain. Students and parents have argued that delays in issuing admit cards create confusion and make travel planning difficult, especially for those appearing in centres outside their home cities.

Several students also pointed out that examination-day instructions were not always communicated clearly. Some candidates said they struggled to understand reporting timelines, permitted items and centre-specific rules, leading to panic moments before entry.

Technical Problems During Examination

Apart from travel-related concerns, technical glitches during computer-based tests became another major issue highlighted by candidates. A number of students said interruptions during the examination affected concentration and consumed valuable time.

CUET aspirant Jiya Khanna said her computer unexpectedly shut down while she was attempting the mathematics paper. According to her, all previously saved answers disappeared after the system restarted, forcing her to attempt the paper again from the beginning.

She said the incident reduced the time available to complete the examination and increased pressure during the remaining duration. Students argued that technical failures during competitive examinations can directly impact performance and create unfair disadvantages.

Confusion Over Guidelines and Security Checks

Candidates also raised concerns regarding frisking procedures and inconsistent instructions at certain examination centres. Some students said security checks took longer than expected, resulting in overcrowding outside the venues. Others mentioned that different centres appeared to follow different rules regarding personal belongings and reporting procedures.

Education experts have repeatedly stressed the need for smoother coordination in large-scale entrance examinations, especially when lakhs of students are involved. Parents and candidates have urged authorities to improve communication systems, minimise last-minute changes and ensure better technical preparedness during future examination sessions.

Despite the challenges, students continued appearing for the examination with hopes of securing admission to leading universities across the country. Many candidates said they now expect authorities to address operational shortcomings so that future entrance examinations become less stressful and more student-friendly.