Students from tier-II cities like Mysore and Mangalore are more computer savvy than their counterparts from the IT city, Bangalore.  Also according to a survey by Merit Trac, a city-based testing company, the students from tier-II cities were rapidly developing an online presence. The survey, which was conducted across 24 cities, covered 1,000 students based in select tier-I and tier-II cities. In Karnataka, students from Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore were polled.

According to the report, it showed that 90% students in tier-II cities used computers daily as opposed to 77% in tier-I cities. Similarly, in terms of internet usage, 71% of candidates in tier-II cities have stated that they log on daily compared to just 62% in metros.

These numbers have an impact on the spread of online exams and tests. As more central and state-level admission exams like the AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Exam) head online, net awareness among students is gaining importance.

Madan Padaki, co-founder and CEO of Merit Trac said that when they spoke to the heads of universities, they found that net awareness was the biggest concern for students taking tests online. The students polled belonged to the age group of 18 years to 22 years and covered those from Class 12 to graduate students. According to Madan, the findings of the survey were surprising. They didn’t expect such high numbers he added.

The candidates from tier-I cities ranked high in only one category that of owning e-mail accounts. Nearly 100% of students polled in metros had e-mail accounts whereas the figures for tier-II cities were a little above 75%.