The decision to discontinue the process of score normalization for the Common University Entrance Test-UG (CUET-UG) and the National Eligibility Test (NET) has been made by the University Grant Commission(UGC) Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar. This decision was prompted by concerns raised by students regarding the impact of score normalization on their performance in the examination.
Score normalization is a procedure that is typically used to adjust the scores of candidates so that they can be compared across different test sessions. This becomes necessary when an examination is conducted over multiple days and sessions, each with varying sets of questions. The equipercentile approach, which takes into account the different difficulty levels of test sessions, is a key component of the normalization process.
In previous years, the CUET-UG and NET had to be conducted over multiple days in order to accommodate the large number of students and provide them with their preferred test centers. However, this year, the adoption of the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) mode allows for a greater number of test centers to be available at schools and colleges, enabling the test to be conducted nationwide on the same day.
The UGC chairman emphasized that score normalization is only required when the test is conducted on multiple days for the same paper, and it is a scientifically sound method. However, with the adoption of the OMR mode and the ability to conduct the test on the same day nationwide, the need for score normalization is eliminated.
This decision is expected to alleviate the concerns of students who felt that score normalization was negatively impacting their performance in the examination. By conducting the test on the same day, with the same set of questions, students will have a fair and equal opportunity to showcase their abilities without the need for score adjustment.
Overall, the discontinuation of score normalization for the CUET-UG and NET is a significant change that aims to address the concerns of students and ensure a fair and transparent examination process.
