The Tripura Board of Joint Entrance Examination (TBJEE) has unveiled a new examination pattern for the 2021-22 fiscal year, bringing about a significant overhaul to the existing system. Departing from the traditional two-day schedule, the common entrance examination will now be condensed into a single day, marking a substantial transformation.

Addressing the media, TBJEE Joint Director Dhirendra Debbarma outlined the key features of the revamped system. Under the new arrangement, the first session will include physics and chemistry question papers, followed by two subsequent sessions featuring biology and mathematics papers.

The syllabus for each subject will now be categorized into 10 modules or units. Question papers for each subject will be in Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format, with 30 compulsory questions per subject. Each question will present four options, and students are required to mark the correct or closest option on OMR sheets.

In the updated examination system, each question will carry four marks, accumulating to a total of 120 marks for each subject. However, a cautionary note accompanies this change, as negative marking is introduced, deducting one mark for every incorrect answer. The result announcement will include the percentile score of students in addition to their ranks.

The decision to transition to this new system is motivated by evolving academic requirements, aligning with changes made in 2016 following the CBSE curriculum. The revised format shares similarities with single-day examinations conducted nationally for medical, engineering, and other professional entrance assessments.

The first examination session will span 90 minutes, featuring 60 questions, with 45 minutes allotted to each of the two subjects. The subsequent two sessions will be 45 minutes each, resulting in a total duration of three hours. The questions for this academic session will be based on the existing syllabi of TBJEE in force since 2015.

Drawing inspiration from the NEET marking pattern, each question will carry four marks, culminating in 120 marks per subject and a total of 480 marks. A committee has been established to adapt the syllabus to accommodate any future changes in the CBSE curriculum.

Established in 1989, TBJEE is an annual examination conducted by the state joint entrance board for admission to government-sponsored seats in engineering, paramedical, veterinary colleges, and more.