NTSE 2017-18: Last few days tips, all you need to know

There is no negative marking in stage – I

Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said on Wednesday that reservation for OBC students in National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)-stage II has been approved. This comes as a relief to thousands of students belonging to the OBC category who can avail the benefits of this scholarship.

Conducted by the NCERT for class 10 students, the scholarship is paid every month during 11, 12, graduation, post-graduation and Ph D which almost covers – “till the time they want to study”. This is a unique opportunity for which you can appear only once.

Since 1963, NCERT has been rewarding about 1,000 such scholarships every year. This scheme was initially introduced as National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) and was meant for science students only. Later this was changed to National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) which is now beneficial for students of science, social sciences, humanities, languages, commerce, vocational studies, fine arts and professional courses such as engineering, medicine, technology, management and law – covering almost everything.

Advertisements for applications are released by respective state / Union Territory (UT) every year in July-September. Candidate’s application should be signed by the principal of the school before it is submitted. Examinations are conducted in two stages – stage I is state-level screening and stage II is the national-level final selection.

Eligibility criteria, fees and other guidelines, except the examination date, for stage – I are notified by respective state/UT. Stage-I examination is held in November. Shortlisted candidates from stage – I, do not have to pay any fee for stage – II examination which is usually conducted in May. The following scholarships are awarded to the selected students:

Scholarship of Rs 1,250 per month for 11 and 12.
Scholarship of Rs 2,000 per month for undergraduates and post-graduates.
Scholarship for Ph D is fixed as per UGC norms.

Students of professional courses can avail scholarship up to post-graduation while all other can avail scholarship up to Ph D level. Examinations at both the stages have similar patterns. Both comprise of three papers – Mental Ability Test (MAT), Language Test (LT), and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). LT is of qualifying nature which is not accounted for final merit.

Being an NTSE scholar is a lifetime achievement. NTSE ranks are not only recognised by many international colleges and universities, but they are also considered as a certificate of merit and appreciation during job interviews. Furthermore, it boosts the self-confidence of the student and makes him/her ready for a rewarding career in the professional world.

Since the stage – I of the NTSE examination will be held on November 4 and 5, 2017, all across the country, these are the few last moment tips that may help the appearing students.

— Brush up your class 10 syllabus whatever you have studied till the examination date.
— Clear your concepts through NCERT textbooks wherever you have doubts.
— Practice as many sample test papers and previous year test papers as you can.
— Maintain your speed. You only have 54 seconds on an average to attempt any questions.
— If you get stuck in any question, make some guesswork and move on. There is no negative marking in stage – I, and you must attempt all the question.
— Do not over stress yourself and take a sound sleep in the night before the examination.

The author is the director of Study Vault Education Pvt. Ltd.