National Talent Search Examination
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The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national level scholarship program in India to identify and nurture talented students. The scheme is open to students of Indian nationality. Only students studying in Class VIII and Class X standard 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 the country.
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[edit] History
Soon after NCERT was established in 1961, a programme to identify and nurture the talented students took up the shape of a scheme called National Science Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS) in the year 1963. The objective of this scheme was to identify talented students and awarding them with scholarships. During the first year of the implementation of the scheme, it was confined to the Union Territory of Delhi wherein only 10 scholarships were awarded to the Class XI students.
[edit] Evolution of the pattern
In the year 1964 the scheme was extended to all the states and the union territories in the country with 350 scholarships for the students of Class XI. These scholarships were awarded on the basis of a written examination, a project report and an interview. The written examination comprised the Science Aptitude Test and an Essay on a given scientific theme. The candidates were to submit the project report at the time of the written examination. A stipulated number of candidates selected on the basis of these three components were then subjected to personal interview. The performance of the candidates on these four components was eventually employed for the purpose of awarding scholarships. These scholarships were awarded for pursuing education only in basic sciences up to doctoral level.
With the introduction of 10+2+3 pattern of education, the NSTS scheme also underwent a change in the year 1976. It was no longer confined to only basic sciences but was extended to Social Sciences, Engineering and medicine as well. It was renamed as National Talent Search Scheme (NTSS). Since the education system in India was undergoing a change, the scheme was made open to the students of Classes X, XI and XII and separate examinations were conducted for each class. The number of scholarships was raised to 500. The selection procedure was also changed. Now the candidates were subjected to two objective type written tests namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). A stipulated number of candidates qualifying these two tests were subjected to a face-to-face interview. The final awards were made on the basis of composite scores obtained in the MAT, the SAT and the interview.
The number of scholarships was again enhanced from 500 to 550 in the year 1981. These 50 scholarships were exclusively meant for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates. The number of scholarships was once again escalated to 750 in the year 1983 with a provision of 70 scholarships especially for SC/ST candidates. This arrangement continued until the scheme was decentralized in the year 1985. Yet another change in the scheme was effected from the year 2000 wherein the number of scholarships was raised from 750 to 1000 with the provision of reservation for SC and ST candidates based on the national norms of 15% and 7.5% respectively.
The scheme was partially decentralized in 1985 and was confined to only class X. Under the new arrangement, the selection of candidates for the awards became a two-tier process. The states and the union territories have been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the first tier screening examination known as State Level Talent Search Examination. Each state and union territory selects and recommended a stipulated number (state quota) of candidates for the national level examination to be conducted for about 3000 candidates by the NCERT.
The states got complete autonomy to design and conduct their written examinations. However, they were advised to follow the national pattern which comprised MAT and SAT. The MAT, which consisted of 100 multiple choice type questions, was to be attempted by all the candidates. The SAT consisted of 25 multiple choice type questions each on eight subject areas namely Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, History, Geography, Civics and Economics. The candidates could choose any four out of these eight subjects and had to answer a total of 100 questions in the SAT.
A stipulated number of candidates who qualified at the national level examination were called for face-to-face interviews. The award of scholarships was finally determined on the basis of the candidates’ scores obtained in all three components namely the MAT, the SAT and the Interview.
A crucial modification in the scheme was again made in the year 1995 when the provision of choice in the SAT was abolished and all the subjects were made compulsory. These subjects were Science, Social Science and Mathematics with 40, 40 and 20 questions respectively.
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 provided in this brochure.
[edit] Selection procedure
Identification of talent comprises a two-stage selection process. While the individual state or union territory conducts the first stage selection, the second stage selection at the national level is carried out by the NCERT.
[edit] Eligibility
Before 2006, all students studying in Class X in any type of recognized school are eligible to appear at the state level examination from the state in which the school is located. The state can impose any other eligibility condition for appearing in the screening examination like any qualifying percentage of marks in the previous annual examination, etc. But from 2006 onwards, a separate examination for Class VIII has started. More than 1,50,000 students appear for the screening examination of the NTSE every year.
From 2006 National Talent Search examination will be held at the end of Class VIII. For students who have passed Class VIII before 2006-07, however, the NCERT will conduct two more NTS examinations for the students reaching in class X for selection years 2007 and 2008.
[edit] State level examination
The state level examination has two parts for nominating the required number of candidates for the second level test to be conducted by the NCERT.
- Part-I:Mental Ability Test (MAT), and
- Part-II: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
[edit] National level examination
Candidates acquiring more than the required percentage in the state level examination are eligible to appear for the national level examination. The national level examination has two parts for nominating the required number of candidates for the interviews to be conducted by the NCERT:
- Part-I:Mental Ability Test (MAT), and
- Part-II: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)(with questions on history, civics, geography, maths, physics, chemistry and biology.)
[edit] Interview
Candidates acquiring more than the required percentage in the national level examination are eligible to appear for the interview. The interview pattern is based on the regular courses, that is the general subjects taught in the schools like science, history, geography , civics etc. It must be noted that the questions asked may be related to theoretical parts of the subjects and may not be just general questions. It is advised to study the school curriculum carefully.
[edit] Syllabus
There is no prescribed syllabus for the NTSE examination. However, the standard of items conforms to the level of CBSE Class 10 Public Examinations. There are also many prescribed books that aid students appearing for this examination.
[edit] Scheme of Testing
The scheme of testing is given below:
| Test | Duration | No. of Items | Maximum Marks | Qualifying Marks(General) | Qualifying Marks(SC/ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 minutes | 100 | 100 | 40 | 32 |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 minutes | 100 | 100 | 40 | 32 |
| Interview | 15-20 minutes | 25 | Not defined | Not defined |
However, in the 2008 examination, the maximum marks obtainable were 90 in both the MAT and the SAT. The passing marks are 40% (36 marks). The 90 marks in the SAT were split as follows: -Mathematics: 20 marks
-Science: 35 marks
-Social Sciences: 35 marks
[edit] Scholarship
The students who qualify for the interview are eligible for scholarship. The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs. 500/- per month for all the students studying in Class IX onwards (irrespective of the class/ course) except for Ph.D., wherein it is paid as per UGC norms. The older system of book grant has been removed. The criterion of parental income for deciding payment of scholarship has also been discontinued.
The scholarship will be provided to the students studying in Classes IX to XII and up to Ph.D. Level to those students who will pursue their courses in Basic and Social Sciences including Coerce.
Scholarship will be given up to Masters degree level that pursue professional courses like Engineering, Medicine, Law, Management etc.
