City colleges have raised the minimum cut-off required for applying to graduation courses this academic year thanks to a significant increase in the Class XII Board results that led to an increase in the number of students who scored above 82 per cent, the highest in the last five years.
According to experts, the number of students who have scored above 80 per cent has a direct impact on the cut-off list in the colleges. Many top colleges have made a sharp increase in the required percentage. Sister Anthony Mary, principal of St Ann’s College for Women, Mehdipatnam, said: “We had to increase the required minimum for B.Com courses from 78 per cent to 84 per cent this year, as the demand is very high for both B.com regular and computer courses. Most students who applied for these courses got 75 per cent-plus in Intermediate examinations.”
The cut-off for commerce courses has been raised more than other courses, as many students have done well in business studies and economics. The minimum required for students to apply at St Joseph Degree College, Abids, has gone up from last year’s 55 per cent to 65 per cent for B.Com regular courses. Anantha Laxmi, administrative officer at the college, stated: “Though there is a five-per cent increase over last year, we still have a spate of applications flowing in for Arts courses (as well).”
St Francis College for Women, Begumpet, has increased the minimum cut-off required for admission from 80 per cent to 82 per cent for B.Com courses. Sister Bridgeit, head of the administrative department, said, “We refused to accept any application from students who got below 82 per cent. All 50 seats for B.Com courses were filled on the first day.” Lorence S., administrative officer at Loyola Degree College, said: “The most important factor is the number of students who have scored above 80 per cent in Class XII. The higher this number, the more it is likely that cut-offs will go up.”