GUWAHATI February 22, 2024: In a recent development, the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has decided to reschedule the Combined Competitive (Prelim) Examination, 2023 to March 18, 2024, a Monday, instead of the initially planned date of March 17, 2024, a Sunday. The announcement came through a notification issued by the Secretary of the APSC, citing the need for this change.
The decision to shift the examination date has sparked concerns among students, particularly the All Assam Students Union (AASU), who had earlier expressed apprehensions regarding the scheduling clash between the APSC’s Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) (Preliminary) 2023 and the State Eligibility Test (SET) 2024, administered by the SLET Commission of Assam.
AASU had previously requested the APSC to reconsider the dates for both state-level exams, both of which were initially set for March 17, 2024. The students’ union highlighted the difficulties candidates would face in adequately preparing for and performing well in both examinations, given the narrow timeframe between the two.
Adding to the complexity, the SLET Commission had already declared March 17, 2024, as the date for NE SET 2024. This overlapping of exam dates has exacerbated the challenges faced by candidates, leaving them in a quandary over prioritizing preparation for either the APSC’s Combined Competitive Examination or the State Eligibility Test.
The rescheduling decision by the APSC aims to alleviate some of the burden on candidates by providing an additional day for preparation. However, it remains to be seen how this change will be received by the aspirants, and whether it adequately addresses the concerns raised by student organizations like AASU.
As the affected candidates adapt to the revised schedule, there is a growing call for better coordination between different examination authorities to avoid such scheduling conflicts in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for a streamlined and considerate approach in planning examination dates, ensuring a fair and conducive environment for all aspiring candidates.
