NTSE is a scholarship exam conducted by NCERT for identifying talented students who want to pursue higher education in Science and Social Studies streams. Creating and following a proper study plan is important for clearing and securing good marks in NTSE. Read on to know the preparation strategy and tips to crack the scholarship exam.
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is India’s oldest and the most prestigious talent search and competitive examination for school students. It is conducted in 2 stages. While Stage I is a state-level exam conducted in the month of November every year by the respective state boards, NTSE Stage II is a national level exam conducted by NCERT in the month of May in the succeeding year. For this year, NTSE Stage II exam scheduled in May 2020 got postponed due to the nationwide lockdown and thereafter various other precautionary measures were taken in view of the pandemic posed by COVID-19. However, the NTSE 2021 Stage I exam scheduled in November 2020 is expected to be conducted as per schedule.
In Stage I exam, students of a state compete amongst each other. Selected students become eligible to appear in Stage II. So it is a process by which capable students from a state are selected. The Stage II exam is held at the national level. Top students of every state compete. Best students amongst them are selected. They are offered scholarships and are called NTSE Scholars.
In both the stages, students are assessed on subjects like Mental Ability (MAT) & Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which comprises Mathematics, Science & Social Science. Although the subjects and NTSE syllabus are same in Stage I & Stage II of NTSE, the actual difference lies on various environmental factors. The level of competition in Stage II is quite stiff and is of the highest order. Hence one must be adequately prepared for the challenge. Moreover, in NTSE Stage II exam, the questions are designed to test the analytical thinking of a student with a higher level of difficulty.
Preparation Tips for Stage I
Students currently studying in Class 10th are eligible to appear in Stage I exam. In the midst of extended lockdown, as schools are slowly getting into summer vacation mode. So, another 5 months to go for the Stage-I exam, the environment is just conducive for a well planned systematic preparation. It is important to note that the entire syllabus should be divided into two parts viz Class 9th and 10th. Most often, the class 9th portion poses a challenge, as students tend to forget the concepts that they had studied earlier. Hence, a proper revision plan is desired. The class 10th portion should be completed by the end of September. It is also advised that students should cover a few advanced portions of important topics for better conceptual insight. Here are a few important tips:
- Prepare good quality revision notes. This will prove to be handy before the exam.
- In October, revise the full syllabus thoroughly.
- By the end of September, one should get into testing and assessment mode. Rigorous practice, solving of NTSE mock tests and analyzing performance holds the key. Remember, solving test papers and analysing them is also an important part of NTSE Preparation. As a result, you would be able to build exam temperament, identify strong and weak areas, learn to manage time, develop speed & accuracy.
- Subscribe to a good quality Test Series. This will enable you to assess your performance with respect to others and build strategy to overcome weaknesses. Make sure to attend all post mock test analysis to fix loopholes.
- Do solve NTSE previous years' question papers to get a good idea on the type of questions that would be expected. You should also prepare a subject-wise concept list so as to understand which chapter/concept to focus.
Preparation Strategy for Stage II
Students who have qualified Stage I, and are studying in Class 11 are eligible to appear in the Stage II exam. Since the exam is highly competitive, students should focus on clearing their concepts, compete with others in mock test, build efficiency and optimize their performance.
- Prepare Concise Revision Plan of the whole syllabus
Prepare a systematic revision calendar for the entire syllabi. Ensure that every subject is thoroughly covered and no subject is left unprepared. Since a new exam date is yet to be announced, one should take a dummy exam date and then prepare their revision plan accordingly. Under no circumstances, one should waste time and wait for the announcement of the date. This time must be utilized perfectly. The more you revise better would be your clarity on concepts and less likely to forget things.
- Identify important Chapters/Topics
List out the important chapters or topics on which more weightage is given in the exam i.e. chapters from which more questions and/or difficult questions are asked.
- Prepare Strategic Notes for quick revision
Quick revision means to cover a large portion of a syllabus with a thorough understanding in less time. After a quick revision solve few representative questions for better understanding of the concept.
- Planned distribution of time for each subject & subject wise suggestions
Distribute available time to all the chapters of each subject. However important chapters will attract more time. Remember, revision should be followed by practicing questions from previous year question paper databank.
Subscribe to an All India Level Mock Test
Since the Stage II exam is an All India Level competition, so it is important to solve national level mock tests for practice, exposure and self-assessment. Take regular tests within the stipulated time to improve speed and accuracy, review performance after every test.
Focus on Personal Alignment
- Since there is no negative marking, make sure to attempt all questions.
- Focus on physical fitness, exercise and follow a healthy diet.
- Take necessary precaution against Covid-19 as prescribed by our health department.
- Good sleep is a must especially the night before the exam.
- Stay focussed, avoid distractions.