Understanding the KEAM Marking System: Board Marks, Entrance Exam, and the 50:50 Ratio

The KEAM (Kerala Engineering Agriculture Medical) Examination is a highly competitive university entrance exam conducted in the state of Kerala, India. Students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in engineering, agriculture, and medical programs have to pass the exams with a certain level of performance. A crucial aspect of the KEAM examination is understanding how marks are calculated towards the final score. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the KEAM marking system, particularly focusing on how board marks and the entrance exam scores are utilized.

How Marks are Calculated in KEAM

The KEAM examination consists of two papers:

Mathematics and General Aptitude (Paper 1) Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Paper 2)

Each paper contains 120 questions, with each question carrying 4 marks. Incorrect answers result in a negative score of 1 mark. This ensures that guessing answers does not benefit candidates.

After the examination, the obtained marks in the entrance test are normalized to a scale of 300. For both papers, the total score is 480, but normalization converts them into 300 marks each. The normalization process accounts for differences in difficulty levels across years, ensuring a fair evaluation.

The final step involves combining the board marks (Class 12) and the normalized entrance exam score. Both are standardized to 300, resulting in a total of 600 marks. The 50:50 ratio is adopted to equally weigh the board marks and the entrance exam score in the final aggregation.

The formula to calculate the final score can be understood with an example:

KEAM Score after normalization (300) Board Marks converted to 300 Total final score: 300 300 600

This comprehensive score is then used to prepare the rank list. Students with a strong performance in either the entrance exam or the board exams can still achieve high ranks if they perform well in the other area.

Consideration of Board Marks in KEAM

The role of board marks in the KEAM score has been a topic of discussion among students, parents, and educators. In the past, there have been queries regarding whether board marks are considered in the final KEAM score.

As of the latest updates, the decision to include board marks in the KEAM score is clear. The state government has given its approval, and it is now a default setting on the official KEAM website. While court decisions may influence certain aspects, it is likely that the state government's decision will be accepted in the foreseeable future.

The ongoing approval and implementation indicate a strong alignment with the philosophy of ensuring a balanced evaluation of students based on both the entrance exam and the performance in Class 12 board exams. This approach helps in selecting candidates who have demonstrated excellence in both theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Conclusion

The KEAM marking system is designed to provide a fair and comprehensive assessment of candidates. By considering a 50:50 ratio of board marks and entrance exam scores, the system aims to recognize students who perform well in either area or both. Understanding this system is crucial for students preparing for the highly competitive KEAM examination. The inclusion of board marks ensures that the final score reflects a well-rounded evaluation of a student's academic performance.

For more details and further assistance, students are encouraged to visit the official KEAM website or seek guidance from educational advisors.