National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)
What is NTSE
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a scholarship examination scientifically designed and conducted by the NCERT for class X students of any recognized Board pan India. It is widely regarded by the Govt. of India as the most prestigious and the most difficult examination at secondary level in the country. It is a talent based competitive examination which tests the basic conceptual learning of the students at the school level and their mental/logical reasoning ability. The qualifying candidates get financial assistance in the form of a scholarship from the Govt. of India for pursuing studies from class XI to Ph.D. in Basic Sciences, Social Science and Commerce. For professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Management and Law, the financial assistance is provided up to the post graduate level. At the Ph.D. level it is decided according to the UGC norms.
Since the year 2000, there are 1000 scholarships awarded every year with the provision of reservation for SC, ST and physically handicapped candidates based on the national norms of 15%, 7.5% and 3% respectively. Quota for State/UT is computed proportionally on the basis of students’ enrolment in Class IX and X.
Eligibility
Any student of class X in a recognized school who has secured 70% marks (general category) or 55% marks (SC, ST and physically handicapped candidate) in final result of class IX is eligible to appear in the NTSE.
Students under Open Distance Learning (OLD) are also eligible provided the student is below the age of 18 years, not employed and the student must be appearing for class X for the first time.
Pattern of the examination
Stage I
The first stage is a state level exam and is conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training in the second week of November every year. It comprises of two parts- (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) and Language Test (LT). SAT covers the concepts of Science, Social Science and Mathematics up to class X. There is no negative marking at this stage.
Stage II
The second stage is a National level exam in which only the students who have cleared stage I can sit. It is conducted by the NCERT in the second week of May. It also consists of two parts- (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) and Language Test (LT). This exam consists of objective- type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Negative marking is also introduced at this stage. Each correctly answered question awards the student +1 marks, while an incorrect answer deducts 1/3 marks.
MAT: 50 questions 50 marks, Language test: 50 questions 50 marks, SAT: 100 questions 100 marks (40 questions from Science, 20 questions from Maths, 40 questions from SSc). The Science, Maths and SSc. questions will be asked from the syllabus of class 9 and 10. The Language Test is only for qualification, it is not counted in merit list.
Result and award
The results of the first stage of the exam are declared between February to April, varying from state to state. The results of the second stage are declared between July to September. The scholarship is provided immediately after the result.
The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs.1250 per month for class XI and XII and Rs.2000 per month for students studying at Under Graduate and Post Graduate level. The scholarship is expected to increase up to 4000-5000 in next few years. It was increased to Rs.1250 and Rs.2000 as per the orders in July 2014. There are no restrictions like parental income, government school, domicile etc. In case the student moves abroad for studies, the scholarship will no longer be provided.
Benefits
An NTSE scholar gets instant recognition as a bright student at a very young age. It is an exposure to a national-level test which opens doors to other entrance tests in the higher classes.
Many universities and institutes, India and abroad, give due recognition to NTSE and give preference to NTSE scholars at the time of admission.
This examination gives a student an opportunity to measure their strengths and weaknesses related to understanding the basic concepts and in-depth study of subjects like Science, Maths and Social Science rather than just skim through the subjects and have superficial knowledge.
It gives an edge over other candidates in job interviews as well as while appearing in the interview for IAS, IPS & IRS etc. The success in this scholarship examination boosts the confidence of the student many folds.
Preparation for NTSE 2017
Students presently studying in class X are eligible for appearing in the first stage examination to be held tentatively in first week of November, 2016. The exact date will be announced by the SCERT in the month of August, 2016. The application forms (in hard copy) shall be made available free of cost in the school through class teachers, will be duly filled by the aspiring students, attested by the Principal and then deposited at the given center by the school itself.
The students of class X need to brush up their concepts of Maths, Science and Social science up to class X. It means they need to read the books of these subjects right from class VI to X thoroughly. Mere rote learning of the facts, formulae and summaries is not suffice. One needs to move from knowledge based questions to developing deep understanding of the concepts and try application of the same as well.
Students need to be very regular in the preparation for the examination. They must identify their weak areas and develop their plan of action accordingly. One needs to spend minimum two hours of regular study, one each for MAT and SAT, on daily basis right from July to November, outside the school routine. One must get a personalized improvement plan & track one’s progress. Regularly undertaking mock tests helps in gauging one’s progress. It helps in building speed, accuracy and confidence also.
Always remember: there is no substitute for hard work. BEST OF LUCK !
Since the year 2000, there are 1000 scholarships awarded every year with the provision of reservation for SC, ST and physically handicapped candidates based on the national norms of 15%, 7.5% and 3% respectively. Quota for State/UT is computed proportionally on the basis of students’ enrolment in Class IX and X.
Eligibility
Any student of class X in a recognized school who has secured 70% marks (general category) or 55% marks (SC, ST and physically handicapped candidate) in final result of class IX is eligible to appear in the NTSE.
Students under Open Distance Learning (OLD) are also eligible provided the student is below the age of 18 years, not employed and the student must be appearing for class X for the first time.
Pattern of the examination
Stage I
The first stage is a state level exam and is conducted by the State Council of Educational Research and Training in the second week of November every year. It comprises of two parts- (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) and Language Test (LT). SAT covers the concepts of Science, Social Science and Mathematics up to class X. There is no negative marking at this stage.
Stage II
The second stage is a National level exam in which only the students who have cleared stage I can sit. It is conducted by the NCERT in the second week of May. It also consists of two parts- (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT), (b) Scholastic Ability Test (SAT) and Language Test (LT). This exam consists of objective- type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Negative marking is also introduced at this stage. Each correctly answered question awards the student +1 marks, while an incorrect answer deducts 1/3 marks.
MAT: 50 questions 50 marks, Language test: 50 questions 50 marks, SAT: 100 questions 100 marks (40 questions from Science, 20 questions from Maths, 40 questions from SSc). The Science, Maths and SSc. questions will be asked from the syllabus of class 9 and 10. The Language Test is only for qualification, it is not counted in merit list.
Result and award
The results of the first stage of the exam are declared between February to April, varying from state to state. The results of the second stage are declared between July to September. The scholarship is provided immediately after the result.
The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs.1250 per month for class XI and XII and Rs.2000 per month for students studying at Under Graduate and Post Graduate level. The scholarship is expected to increase up to 4000-5000 in next few years. It was increased to Rs.1250 and Rs.2000 as per the orders in July 2014. There are no restrictions like parental income, government school, domicile etc. In case the student moves abroad for studies, the scholarship will no longer be provided.
Benefits
An NTSE scholar gets instant recognition as a bright student at a very young age. It is an exposure to a national-level test which opens doors to other entrance tests in the higher classes.
Many universities and institutes, India and abroad, give due recognition to NTSE and give preference to NTSE scholars at the time of admission.
This examination gives a student an opportunity to measure their strengths and weaknesses related to understanding the basic concepts and in-depth study of subjects like Science, Maths and Social Science rather than just skim through the subjects and have superficial knowledge.
It gives an edge over other candidates in job interviews as well as while appearing in the interview for IAS, IPS & IRS etc. The success in this scholarship examination boosts the confidence of the student many folds.
Preparation for NTSE 2017
Students presently studying in class X are eligible for appearing in the first stage examination to be held tentatively in first week of November, 2016. The exact date will be announced by the SCERT in the month of August, 2016. The application forms (in hard copy) shall be made available free of cost in the school through class teachers, will be duly filled by the aspiring students, attested by the Principal and then deposited at the given center by the school itself.
The students of class X need to brush up their concepts of Maths, Science and Social science up to class X. It means they need to read the books of these subjects right from class VI to X thoroughly. Mere rote learning of the facts, formulae and summaries is not suffice. One needs to move from knowledge based questions to developing deep understanding of the concepts and try application of the same as well.
Students need to be very regular in the preparation for the examination. They must identify their weak areas and develop their plan of action accordingly. One needs to spend minimum two hours of regular study, one each for MAT and SAT, on daily basis right from July to November, outside the school routine. One must get a personalized improvement plan & track one’s progress. Regularly undertaking mock tests helps in gauging one’s progress. It helps in building speed, accuracy and confidence also.
Always remember: there is no substitute for hard work. BEST OF LUCK !
Educationally yours
J.K Sidhu
Principal
PS -Some useful links:
Principal
PS -Some useful links:
ww.ncert.nic.in
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Talent_Search_Examination
http://ntse.testbag.com/exam-analysis.php?tp=4
Books:
1. MAT for NTSE – SS Brar
2. NTSE by Tata McGraw Hill
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