KARACHI, Aug 3: In all, 5,529 candidates appeared in the pre-admission test for first year engineering classes at NED University of Engineering and Technology on Saturday.

Tests were held in a peaceful manner, under the supervision of senior faculty members of the university.

Students were required to get 40 marks, out of 100 marks of a set of MCQs (multiple-choice questions) based on intermediate course, to qualify for admissions which would be made on the basis of marks obtained in the Higher Secondary School Certification annual examinations-2002.

After two hours of test, candidates were provided with key to assess their performance for themselves. The university administration had set up camps for parents accompanying the candidates, while strict security measures were also taken to avoid any untoward incident.

The chairman of the admission committee, Dr Shamsul Haque, told Dawn in the night that results of the test have been put up at the university’s web-site (www.neduet.edu.pk) around 8.15 pm, and at the same time, these are on display at the university notice board on the main gate.

The number of registered candidates belonging to local boards was 5,559, while those who cleared under Cambridge or other systems were 84 in number. In all, 2,390 (about 45 per cent) candidates were declared successful.

Dr Shams mentioned that till last year only candidates of higher marks, ie, with 65 per cent and above used to apply for admissions and consequently appeared in entrance test and consequentially the pass percentage remained higher. This time as the tests were held prior to invitation of applications, candidates even having secured 50 per cent or below appeared in the test and that was why the overall pass percent remained lower, he said.