Objectives of ENAT

• To enable the candidates appear in a common entrance test for admission in number of Universities/Institutions, which is economical & convenient to all stake holders
• To provide instant individual scores – leaving no scope for any interference further.
• To provide single window system to candidates as per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court for fair, unbiased and merit based selection process in admission’s.
• To augment the process of opening up new vistas of opportunities pan india to students at large through the single window process.
• To ensure fairness, transparency in the entire process of conduct of examination
• The in- built grievance redressal system in the process of examination – ensures acceptability of all concerned.
• To enable the candidates choose a suitable & convenient examination date/ place / time of his choice and thus reliving him/her of anxiety.
• To ensure that the possible variations in the standards and syllabi of qualifying examinations across the states are taken care of.
• To reduce the total cost incurred by parents.
• To enable the participating Universities and Institutions to enhance their geographical base.
• Paper leakages, corrupt practices, cheating etc are not possible as no human involvement is required in finalising the question paper.
• To enlarge the family of participating Universities/Institutions year after year by demonstrating the Quality of conduct of examination.
• Overview of the EPSI system by a competent expert committee consisting of eminent Academicians, Administrators and Educationists.

Advantages of online Examinations

• Permits the students the choice of centre/ date/ time of examination pan India
• Relieves the candidates from appearing in too many unsynchronized entrance examinations in a short span, resulting in clash in dates.
• The high costs and risk associated with printed question paper are avoided.
• Increases geographical area for the participating Universities/Institutions for heterogeneous input.
• Students have much larger choice of Universities/Institutions available to them through a single test
• High level of secrecy, security of testing material and  data.
• Simple, effective process of authentication of test- takers
• Instant assessment of the candidates and generation of test score.
• Paper work eliminated completely.
• Time tested process – 25 years of experience of GMAT/GRE etc.

ENAT examination is conducted across disciplines for post graduate and under graduate disciplines in specified time schedule in multiple shifts across test centers on a national level in number of batches. The broad test over view is as below:-

TEST OVERVIEW

• Mode    :     Secure computer based – no paper/pencil involved
• Duration:     UG courses – 2.30 hours, PG courses – 2.00 or 2.30 hours
• Format  :     Multiple choice questions
• Marking :     1 mark for correct answer / no negative marking
• Schedule:   3 sessions of 2:30 hours (UG) every test day
• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) in each paper    - 240 number (only in English language)                           
• Medical Group Paper - PCBE ( 60+60+80+40)      = 240 questions (only in English language)
• Engg./ Pharma Group Paper - PCME (60+60+80+40)    = 240 questions (only in English language)

The ENAT examination is conducted across centers from 9 AM to 7:30 PM in three batches. The PG and the UG examinations are spread over a period depending on the number of candidates in each Centre and the candidates appearing in batches as per the schedule issued.

The batches are scheduled as follows:
Shift 1 : 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Shift 2 : 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Shift 3 : 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM

UG Courses

PG Courses

Syllabus:

The syllabus for the examination is available in the       prospectus of the participating Universities /Institutions and their websites.

Eligibility:

The eligibility for different courses for which the entrance test is being conducted is available on the website of the respective Universities.  The candidates are advised to ensure that they fulfill the eligibility conditions of the programmes of the University(s)/Institution(s), in which they are seeking admission.

The complete end-to-end process has been divided into three major categories. They are:

• Pre Test Standard Operating Procedures
• During the Test Standard Operating Procedures and
• Post Test Standard Operating Procedures

• The Application Form
  • Distributed through traditional channels & ENAT Test Centres.
  • Added facility of Online Application Forms submission.
  • Application Forms have a unique Application Number and a Secure Password (eg. Scratch Card) which is be used to book the exam slot.
• Processing the Application Form
  • The Manual/Paper Applications Received scanned and the data captured to tables, Photo and Signature saved as acceptable Picture Formats.
  • The online and Offline (Paper/Manual) are now merged
• Data uploaded for Booking Exam Slots
  • The Data is loaded on the OTBS (Online Test Booking System) from the Application Forms to enable students to book their slots for the Exam
  • Booking dates & exam dates mentioned in application form & website

EXAMINATION SLOT BOOKING PROCESS

• The Log In
• The Student uses the Login Details from the Application Form to log in.
• On Logging in student gets to see the available Dates & Centres for the Test he/she has applied for.
• The Booking of Slot
  • Students choose the location, date and time of their choice.
  • Only available slots will be shown
• The Hall Ticket
  • Once the Student confirms his choice a e-Hall ticket is generated.
  • The Hall Tickets will have the Photo & Signature of the Student on it.
  • Hall Tickets emailed to candidate’s email id.
• Complete back end support using Help-Line: 7 days a week 12 hours a day

• Syllabus/Question Bank
  • Common Syllabus has been prepared after mapping the syllabi of various Universities.
• Question Paper Preparation
  • The Questions are prepared by the Controller of Examinations, and kept in a Secure & Confidential location.
  • These Question Papers will be kept ready in a format which is ready to be uploaded to the server.
  • If so needed separate Question Papers can be maintained for each test session.
• Upload of Question Papers
  • The Controller of Examinations or his delegate directly upload the Question Papers to the Server in each Test Location
  • This has to be repeated for every session as the Question Papers will be deleted from the Test Centre immediately after the delivery is over.

• The Registration Process
• The Student Information is downloaded to the specific test centres.
• The Student presents the Hall Ticket and it is verified against the Picture & Signature on the server.
• In addition photo & finger print of the candidate is taken.
• The information is saved on the Server, and later downloaded to the COE for future reference.
• The Test
  • The Test Node is assigned by the Server. The node will be in the secure mode and all special/function keys are disabled.
  • The student will occupy the allotted test node and be get prepared for the test.
  • After a general brief by the Proctor – the student logs in using his user name and password.
  • The Instructions are displayed again

• Test Scores
  • Test Scores displayed at the end of the test.
  • The score sheet printed out and the signature taken of the student.
• Post Test Process
  • After the session completion results uploaded to the Main Server, the question papers are deleted from the local servers and reset.
  • The Test Nodes are reset and any papers and other working materials used are removed.
• Results
  • Merit list generated hours after all session are over. Various categories are taken into consideration.
  • The Finger Print & Signature are verified again at the time of admission.

• Secure Content-generation process
• Use of multiple sources & large content bank
• Secure QP Generation
  • Randomized question paper
  • Automatic generation of Question Paper
  • Encrypted Question Papers
• Secure CoE Office
  • Physical isolation & access control
• Transmission of Question Paper
  • 128 bit encryption SSL for Data Transport Layer
  • 256 bit encryption for Content at Source and Destination to minimize unauthorized access to Content
  • Time bound release of password for the Qpacks
• Test Centre
  • Removal of data from Server, immediately after Test
  • Access into Test Centre only for Authorized EPSI personnel
  • Biometric Authentication of candidate
  • IP Cameras / Web Cameras for surveillance
  • Mystery Audit
• Publishing of Scores
  • Access only to CoE
  • Controlled Server access
• Redundancy of Hardware & Software at the Test Centre and COE
• Adequate Backups for Power
• Thorough dry-run & Test Prep processes
• Trained manpower at Test Centres
• Reliable Data Backup and Management process

A. ITS Infrastructure Specifications at OTC

• All attempts will be made to have PCs at Online Test Centres (OTCs) which adhere to the specifications provided in the table below titled PC Configuration. In some cases the PC configuration may be “higher” than what is mentioned below:

         Table: PC Configuration Specification

• All attempts will be made to ensure all PCs at OTCs will have the latest Windows patches and Anti-Virus software installed.
• All OTCs will have a LAN network of a minimum speed of 100 Mbps. All PCs in the OTC will be connected to the LAN.
• All OTCs will have broadband Internet connectivity of minimum speed of 512 Kbps and this will be connected to a PC that is inside the OTC.
• The OTC will have a server room and Server will be connected to the LAN network. All attempts will be made to ensure the server room is air-conditioned.  
• All attempts will be made to have all OTCs installed with IP Cameras connected to a local
• PC. The IP Cameras will NOT be available for remote access.
• OTCs will be provided with a webcam and a biometric fingerprint reader at the registration desk if the Exam process requires it.
• OTCs will be provided with a printer.

B. Electricity Specification at OTC

• There will be a UPS at all OTCs. Diesel Generators will be provided at an OTC if it is specifically required for the Exam process.
• All Servers, PCs, networking equipment like switches, routers etc. will be connected to this UPS.
• The UPS capacity will be sufficient to provide minimum of 2 hours of backup when connected to all PCs and networking equipment.
• The UPS will be connected to regular power supply and to Diesel Generator power supply.
• When there is a break in regular power supply Diesel Generator will be switched on within 15mins.
• The Diesel Generator will be able to work for a minimum of 8 hours at a stretch.
• The power from Diesel Generator will be routed through UPS only.
• There will be diesel stock available for running the Diesel Generator for 4 hours.
• During Dry Runs and Live Runs both UPS and Diesel Generator will be in running conditions.

C. Physical Infrastructure Specification at OTC

• There will be sufficient waiting area for the number of candidates that an OTC can accommodate in one batch of examinations
• There will be sufficient space for registration desks that can accommodate one batch of examinations in an OTC. 
• There will be adequate lighting and ventilation (fans or AC) for candidates to be able to comfortably take a test.
• Toilet facilities will be available.
• The OTC will have a facility to be locked and will have a facility to control access.
• The OTCs will provide sand buckets or fire extinguishers as fire safety devices. 

D. People Support Specification at OTC

• The OTC will have adequate IT specialists and Test Administrators. Electrician will be available on call at all OTCs.

E. Other OTC Specifications

• Only authorize people will be present at an OTC before, during and after an examination.
• During Examinations access to the server room will be only with ENAT authorized people.
• ENAT persons will wear identification badges during their presence at OTCs. 
• Unauthorized people are not allowed to carry any portable storage devices into or out of the OTC during the days of Examinations. Portable storage devices include thumb drives, USB drives, external hard disks, laptops, digital music players etc.