IOE's Early Entrance Exam Schedule Sparks Criticism Over Sudden Change
जेठ २८, २०८३ १४:१०
Kathmandu. Tribhuvan University's Institute of Engineering (IOE) has come under criticism after rescheduling its undergraduate entrance examinations nearly a month earlier than indicated in its academic calendar, prompting concerns among students who say the sudden change has disrupted their preparation plans.
According to IOE's previously published academic calendar, entrance examinations were expected to be conducted between July 31 and August 31. However, the institute has now announced that examinations will begin on July 12, with application forms opening on June 17.
The revised schedule has left many students feeling unprepared. Most candidates completed their Grade 12 examinations on May 10 and had planned their entrance preparation based on the dates outlined in the academic calendar.
Saugat Sapkota, a student preparing for the BE entrance examination, said the change has created significant mental pressure.
“We planned our studies assuming the examination would be held around August, as indicated in the calendar. I had intended to complete the syllabus and spend the final month on revision, but now there is only about a month left,” he said.
Similar concerns have been echoed by other students on social media platforms, including Reddit’s r/IOENepal community and Facebook groups. Many have questioned why the examination date was brought forward without sufficient prior notice and criticized the contrast between the published calendar and the revised schedule.
One Reddit user argued that if the examination was to be conducted earlier, the institution should have updated the calendar and informed students in advance. The user said the sudden change had caused confusion and unnecessary stress among candidates.
The decision has also affected entrance preparation institutions. Dinesh Pradhan, co-founder of Clamphook, an organization that provides IOE entrance coaching, said students from remote districts have been particularly affected.
“Many students travel from distant areas, including Sudurpashchim, to prepare for the entrance examination. They need time to adapt to the entrance exam format and question patterns, which differ from their school studies,” he said.
Pradhan said coaching centers have been forced to adjust their schedules following the revised exam date, increasing daily class hours from four to five hours to help students complete their preparation on time.
Each year, around 10,000 to 12,000 students sit for the IOE entrance examination. More than 6,000 typically pass, while a total of 4,344 students secure seats across constituent and affiliated engineering campuses under Tribhuvan University.
Defending the decision, IOE Dean Prof. Dr. Sushil Bajracharya said the examination schedule had been revised in line with directives from the Nepal Government and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
“The examination is being conducted roughly 15 days earlier than originally planned,” he said. “Since the Grade 12 results are expected to be published in the second week of June, the government has instructed universities to hold entrance examinations within a month of the results.”
According to Bajracharya, the policy is intended to reduce delays in higher education admissions and discourage students from seeking opportunities abroad due to prolonged academic gaps.
He added that the earlier examination schedule would allow admissions to be completed by August and classes to begin from September, earlier than in previous years.
Responding to criticism regarding the difference between the academic calendar and the announced examination dates, Bajracharya said the calendar had already been revised. IOE subsequently updated the academic calendar on its official website, showing the entrance examination period from June 29 to July 31.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: जेठ २८, २०८३ १४:१०
