Bhubaneswar: Competitive tests such as JEE main, NEET-UG and UGC NET are set for a major overhaul from next year with the examinations now being driven by the new National Testing Agency.

Apart from the examinations being computerised, each candidate will now get a unique set of questions, with the software choosing questions randomly for candidates.

Academics have welcomed the decision saying this would enhance the capacity of the students.

"Cheating will be eliminated because the designed software will assign questions differently to each candidate. It will ensure that the students put in extra efforts and get their basics right," said Binod Dash, secretary of Odisha Private Engineering Colleges' Association.

The biggest change is that the examination would be conducted twice a year instead of once.

"The candidates would have an option of choosing their preferred date. Since the examination would be held in sessions, students can also choose the slab according to their preference," said Ayush Agarwal, owner of a competitive examination coaching centre based in Bhubaneswar.

The examinations would be held using artificial intelligence and computer adaptive testing.

"In this process, the level of difficulty keeps increasing. Such processes are used in international examinations which tests the talent of the students rigorously. So, it will definitely improve the standard of the students," said Ajanta Satapathy, professor of chemistry at Prananath Autonomous College, Khurda.

Students are excited but at the same time apprehensive about the online examination process.

Sadhna Dash, a Plus Two student from Dhenkanal district, sais: "For rural students like us, access to the Internet is limited. So unless we are adept with the processes, it would be very difficult for us."