National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)

What is NTSE ?

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a National Level scholarship program in India to identify and nurture talented students. It honours and helps talented students by providing financial assistance in the form of a monthly scholarship for the entire Academic Career. Students studying in Class X are eligible to appear for the selection process. As it is organized by an official body (NCERT), it is widely regarded as the most prestigious examination at high school level in India. For more details of NTSE, students can visit www.ncert.nic.in

There is a two-stage selection process for award of scholarship. For Stage – I, selection will be done by States/UTs through the written examination. Each State/Union Territory has been allotted a quota to recommend a specific number of candidates for the Stage – II examination, the details of which are available on NCERT website (www.ncert.nic.in). Students who qualify Stage – I will be eligible to appear for Stage – II examination conducted by NCERT.

Why should I appear in NTSE ?

NTSE is one of the oldest and most prestigious scholarship exams in India. An NTSE scholar commands tremendous respect in the society. Around 1000 NTSE Scholars are finally awarded scholarships based on Stage – II.

It honours and helps talented students by providing financial assistance in the form of a monthly scholarship. The scholarships under the present scheme are awarded to the candidates for pursuing courses in sciences and social sciences up to doctoral level and in professional courses like medicine and engineering up to second-degree level subject to the fulfillment of the conditions.

Importance of NTSE in Class X ?

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a National Level scholarship program in India to identify and nurture talented students.

Till year 2007, it was conducted for students of class X only and in the Stage-I and Stage-II, objective questions based on applications of fundamentals of subjects of Class IX and X are asked. Some questions are based on advance application of the subjects.

When a student prepares for NTSE, the preparation methodology is oriented to train the brain of student for understanding in-depth applications of all concepts of Science and Mathematics. This preparation helps students in grooming their brain for fundamental and advance applications which are asked in engineering and medical entrance examinations when student is in class XII.

NTSE preparation forms a strong foundation of students for higher level competitive and other scholarship examinations.

During Class XI, all bright students aspire for KVPY Fellowship (visit www.kvpy.org.in for details). Till year 2008 it was observed that almost all KVPY fellows were NTSE Scholars. This is because NTSE preparation starts building the application based foundation in students.

Till year 2009, it is proven history that students who were NTSE Scholars, have performed extraordinary in all engineering and medical entrance examinations.

Shifting NTSE back in Class X is boon for all students who are aspiring for higher level competitive examinations during their Class XI and XII.

How to Prepare for NTSE ?

Fundamental way to prepare for the National Talent Search Exam and become NTSE Scholar is by enhancing your knowledge and applications of the conceptual knowledge of the syllabus up to class X.

The most important skill for NTSE preparation is developing analytical thinking. This is a process in which the knowledge acquired, concepts learnt, misconceptions understood and fundamentals absorbed are woven together by the thinking skill to arrive at a logical and strategic solution to a given problem.

For some topics of Science and Mathematics advance in-depth applications are also required as about 15% questions in SAT paper asked are based on these applications. To cover these applications, knowledge of class XI or higher is not required. This can be done by exhaustive practice of advance problems on the syllabus of CBSE IX and X.

Managing topics of Social Studies is a very important and strategic task, as in Stage – I knowledge of History, Geography and Civics up to zonal level is required, but in Stage – II students must have good knowledge of our country as a whole. Only CBSE text book will not be sufficient for preparation of stage – I, students need to refer State Board books also for regional knowledge.