Pune: Students appeared for this year's All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE), conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) found this year's question paper tougher as compare to previous.

The examination took place on April 26 at several centres across the country.

The AIEEE ranks among the key national-level exams for admission to premier institutions like the National Institutes of Technology (NITs). Candidates with an AIEEE score are also eligible for admission through the 15 per cent AIEEE quota at state-level engineering institutions.

"Chemistry section was little bit tougher as compare to math and physics sections," said an aspirant.

This year marking system has also been changed. Since there is provision of negative marking, students had to answer cautiously.

For the first time, there were questions containing eight marks each. Also, the number of total questions was reduced to 90 from 120 questions last year.

On Sunday, students, who have opted for B.E and B.Tech courses appeared for Paper I, comprising the compulsory subjects physics, chemistry and mathematics and any one of the four optional subjects chemistry, biotechnology, computer Science and biology between 9.30 am and 12.30 am. Those who have applied for B.Arch and B.Planning took Paper II, comprising maths part I, aptitude part II and drawing Part III between 2 pm and 5 pm.