And, for those planning to give it a shot, there are a few changes in store.

The Joint Admission Board, that reviewed JEE-2006 in detail, found that most questions were in the average range of difficulty that candidates at a 10+2 level could solve. It has now initiated some changes to further reduce stress on candidates.

For one, while JEE-2006 comprised three separate papers of 2 hours each, the 2007 test will be a single-stage objective-type examination consisting of two papers of 3 hours each.

Those familiar with JEE will know that, in 2006, it was made a single-day, single-stage examination. The previous edition had three examinations -- physics, mathematics and chemistry -- of two hours each, held between 8 am and 6 pm. The new pattern will test students for six hours, but will have two 3-hour papers, each comprising questions on physics, chemistry and mathematics. The questions may be presented in each paper under three sub-sections.

Like JEE 2006, the format will still be multiple-choice questions, but the tests now aim to measure analytical and comprehension skills.

Thanks to this new pattern, the total examination time should be reduced by 20 per cent if compared to last year's papers. While lesser time at the examination hall obviously means less stress, this will also boost mental stamina to a certain extent.

Better still, as both papers will test areas of physics, chemistry and mathematics, students who do not do well in a particular subject in the first paper can improve their score in the second one. In short, all candidates get a second innings! Also, if the pattern of questions is similar in the second paper, the chances of scoring higher go up.

Each 2-hour paper at JEE 2006 had 40 questions focusing on one subject. The number of questions in each paper for JEE 2007 could be between 45 and 70. There are two possibilities. One -- each subject paper could have the five different patterns used in JEE 2006; or two -- each paper could follow its own particular pattern of questions.

According to Ram Kelkar, Director, IIT Bombay Heritage Fund, the changes are for the better. "From an alumni perspective," says Kelkar, speaking in his individual capacity, "I personally believe it is a good idea that JEE is being changed to a single-stage examination with an emphasis on comprehensive and analytical abilities. One of my concerns about the JEE process, in recent years, is that the domination of coaching classes has been rather detrimental, as it has put the IITs out of the reach of sections of society that cannot afford high-priced coaching in faraway places like Kota in Rajasthan."

"Coaching classes are masterful at reverse engineering the JEE examination but, as a result, their focus is on teaching the rote art of test-taking rather than fundamentals. As a consequence, the IITs were admitting some who were selected not because of their true academic abilities and potential, but more because of their skill in 'gaming' the system," says Kelkar.

"My hope is the new pattern will curb these tendencies and level the playing field for all youngsters in India," he adds, "regardless of their financial status or ability to afford expensive coaching classes."

That certainly sounds like good news.

http://www.jee.iitb.ac.in/main.php

What do you feel about the changes to the JEE format? You could be a student at IIT, an ex-student or even a potential candidate planning to take the test in 2007. Post your views..