Competition for admissions to intensify as ICSE, CBSE 90% club grows

The recent announcement of ICSE and CBSE results has set the stage for a fiercely competitive admissions season in Mumbai’s junior and degree colleges. With a substantial number of students scoring above 90% in both boards, the pressure is mounting as the eagerly anticipated SSC and HSC results are yet to be declared. Principals anticipate that seats in top colleges will be secured by candidates with scores of 95% and above, particularly in humanities, commerce, and related courses.

In the ICSE Class 10 exams, 6,986 students from the state achieved scores above 90%, with 5,230 crossing the 95% threshold. Similarly, the CBSE Class 10 results have witnessed a significant increase in candidates scoring between 95% and 98% compared to the previous year, according to city school heads.

For degree college admissions, a considerable number of CBSE Class 12 students aspire to pursue medicine or engineering, potentially leading to a surge in enrollments for science programs as a backup option. Shobhana Vasudevan, principal of Podar College, observed that while SSC and HSC results will largely shape admissions, students are increasingly opting for innovative courses aligned with their individual interests.

With an expanded range of course offerings, students are deviating from conventional trends and pursuing their passions. Krutika Desai, principal of Mithibai College, highlighted the challenge of predicting admission trends without considering scores from all three boards. Last year, the college based its admissions on CUET scores, but this year, it has reverted to Class 12 scores for most admissions.

The upcoming SSC and HSC exams, taken by over 16 lakh and 14.6 lakh students respectively, will play a crucial role in shaping the academic future of the majority of aspirants.