National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level scholarship program in India to identify and recognize students with extremely high intellect and academic talent. Close to 1,50,000 students appear in this scholarship exam every year. The scheme is open to students of Indian nationality. Only 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 by the Government of India as the toughest and most prestigious examination at high school level in the country.
What is NTSE:
National talent search examination or NTSE is an annual examination conducted on a national level by NCERT. It was started in the year 1963 and has grown in prestige and scope ever since. The objective of the exam is to identify students who have the potential to excel in Science, Social Science, Engineering, Medicine, Management and Law. The successful students, called NTSE Scholars, receive financial support / scholarships from NCERT till the time they continue to study.
How is NTSE exam conducted:
NTSE or National talent search examination is conducted on a national level in 2 stages.
- National Talent Search Examination’s Stage-1 is conducted by states and union territories. This is a written exam where students are supposed to answer questions related to mental ability, general science and maths. Each state / union territory selects a pre-specified number of candidates to represent it in the second round i.e. State-2.
- Stage-1’s written exam consists of MAT (mental aptitude test) and SAT (scholastic aptitude test). Both the tests have 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes. More information on the paper content, sample paper etc can be found here.
- NTSE’s stage-2 is conducted at a national level by NCERT. Only students who clear stage-1 of NTSE are eligible to sit in this stage. Though first stage has quotas or pre-specified number of seats for each level, there are no state quotas for the final round. However, pre-specified reservation for SC/ST and physically challenged candidates exists.
- Like stage-1, NTSE’s stage-2 also has MAT and SAT. Further, those candidates who qualify the written exam at the national level will be called for interview.
What are the important dates for NTSE 2013:
There are 4 important dates regarding NTSE that you must be aware of. For academic year 2012, the dates for NTSE are as follows
- Start date for sale of NTSE forms is 1st August 2012
- Last date for submission of completed NTSE application form is 31st August 2012
- Stage-1 NTSE exam will be conducted on Sunday 18th November 2012. However for Mizoram, Meghalya, Nagaland and Andaman & Nicobar Islands the stage-1 exams will be conducted on Saturday 17th November 2012.
- Stage-2 NTSE exam will be conducted on Sunday 13th May 2012. The dates may vary from state to state. Further, the candidates who qualify the 2nd round written exams will be intimidated by post about the dates for interviews.
Who is eligible to appear for NTSE 2013:
All Indian students studying in class-8 of recognized schools are eligible to appear for the first stage of NTSE. There is no domicile restriction. in class-8 can take NTSE exam. Even Indian students living abroad can appear for NTSE. They can directly apply for stage-2 exams if they fulfil conditions prescribed in NTS brochure for Class-8.
What is the course for NTSE 2013:
NTSE exam follows NCERT prescribed syllabus and the exam is conducted in both English and in Hindi
Why should I appear in NTSE:
- NTSE is one of the oldest and most prestigious scholarship exams in India.
- Around 1000 NTSE Scholars are finally awarded scholarships based on Stage-II results through this examination. It honours and helps talented students by providing financial assistance in the form of monthly scholarship. For the courses in Basic Sciences, Social Sciences and Commerce, this assistance is provided up to Ph.D. level. For professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Management and Law this assistance is given only up to Post Graduation.
- Scholarship exams like NTSE have been designed with the sole aim of encouraging students to develop the skills, attitudes, knowledge, aptitudes, talent (both apparent and latent), proficiency & expertise. It also emphasizes in moulding the students in a way where they will not only be able to handle the intricacies of the exam but also the pressure of competition.
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.
