National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the JEE Main 2020 across the country starting today, September 1, 2020. All possible measures have been taken to ensure the safety of students taking the exams. 

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main 2020 began on September 1, across 489 centres in India for B.Arch and B.Planing aspirants. 

Students from several states, Bihar, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, West Bengal, and Odisha took the JEE Main exams. To ensure safety, NTA had reduced the number of students allotted for each centre while increasing the total number of centres.

JEE Main 2020: NTA Maintains Strict Protocol for Exam Centres amid COVID-19 Pandemic

At Vivek Vihar, Delhi, all social distancing norms from using face masks, sanitisers and thermal checking were strictly followed. The exam that is usually held in April finally commenced in September after postponing twice due to Coronavirus outbreak.

Due to the pandemic, while entering exam centres in the morning, students were allowed to enter exam centres in a queue maintaining social distancing after thermal scanning and sanitising hands. Seat allotment for students was reduced to 12 from 24 per room. 

Students were allowed to carry transparent water bottles, passport size photographs, admit cards, identity proofs and sanitiser bottles within the exam centre. At 8:30 AM the gates were closed before the exams began at 9:00 AM sharp. 

Exam duration is of 3 hours, the second shift began at 3:00 PM. Over 9.58 lakh students registered to take exams that will be held for the next 6 days across 660 centres in different parts of India.  

For the second shift, different sets of computers will be provided to students. Once the first shift completes, everything from railings to doors and doorknobs will be sanitised.

JEE Main 2020 Examinees share their Opinion after taking Exams

Candidates found mathematics section having trickier questions, meanwhile complaining about authorities making inadequate arrangements for transportation amid the pandemic. 

Delhi

Sanyam Gupta, 18, reached the exam centre by his personal vehicle, from Shahdra. He said, “I was apprehensive before coming here. But the safety measures were in place here and everything was good. However, it’s a little uncomfortable to appear in exams wearing masks and spectacles both.”

Check: JEE Main Cutoff 2020

Shruti Mehra, 17, from Naraina had to take a cab to the exam centre in Vivek Vihar. She said, “I got to know that there was an uber ola strike in the morning but I managed to book a cab. I am really satisfied with all the safety measures taken at the exam centre. There was anxiety about taking the exam amid the pandemic but I’m happy that exam is over now.”

Ranchi

Puja Kumari from Gumla district, Jharkhand, who appeared at the exam centre in Tupudana, said, “I was initially scared due to the spread of the Coronavirus. But then thought, we have to appear for the examination either this month or next month. There is no confirmation that COVID cases fall down after a month or two. 

So, we are happy with the government decided to hold the examination.” She quipped, “The paper of mathematics was a little tough.”

Check: JEE Main Cutoff 2020

Aditya Kumar from Bariatu locality, asserted, “ I have my personal vehicle. So, I didn’t face any trouble. But, the examinees who have no personal vehicle might have faced problems in COVID period as there is less number of vehicles on road.

Career is more important than COVID. There was a fear in the back of the mind due to the spread of the virus. But, when we entered the centre, I forgot the fear, as preparations were good.”

Bihar

Satish Prakash, a candidate from Sasaram who took exam at Patna Centre, said, “I appeared for BArch. Paper was not difficult for those who studied well. Few questions were repeated from same topic in aptitude section.”

He said, “Preparation at exam centre was good. Circles were marked on ground for students to stand in queue at entrance gate. After thermal screening, our hands were sanitised before entrance and fresh three-ply mask was provided. Seating arrangement inside exam hall followed 50% occupancy.”

Astha Thakur appeared for BArch in Madhubani, she said, “Rough sheets were kept at our seats before our entrance. There was no gathering during the pre-exam process. Invigilator was also wearing a mask. We had to sign in the attendance sheet, that was the only common surface we touched. I was wearing gloves.

Social distancing was maintained at the exam centre. Minimum contact was required during the registration process. We were asked to drop admit card and rough paper in boxes placed inside the exam hall for eliminating contact with the invigilator.”

Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal-based Smriti Sharma said, “I found the maths portion a bit hard but the overall paper was easy to solve.”

Akash Singh from Gwalior said, “Like my several friends I was worried too regarding my safety against COVID-19. Even slight sneeze in the examination hall by someone alarmed us. 

Frankly speaking, I was not able to concentrate properly during the exam due to fear in the mind. However, the question paper was quite easy especially the physics portion in it.”

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