NTSE

Identification of talent comprises a three-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, usually on the second Sunday of May. This is followed by the interview of the selected 1500-1600 students.

[edit] Eligibility

Before 2006, all students studying in Class X in any type of recognized school were eligible to appear at the state level examination from the state in which the school is located. The state could 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 2008-2009 National Talent Search examination will be held only for class VIII

[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 and within a specified number of top ranks (state quota) are eligible to appear for the national level examination. NCERT conducts the National Level NTS each year in the 2nd week of May for about 3000 candidates. 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, rarely economics, maths, physics, chemistry and biology.)

It is usually conducted on 1st or 2nd sunday in may.

[edit] Interview

Candidates acquiring more than the required percentage in the national level examination and standing in about top 1500-1600 students across India and abroad 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. Students should also have extra information of higher classes to excel. Normally you must concentrate on SAT rather than MAT because there they may test your understanding.

[edit] Syllabus

There is no Prescribed syllabus for the NTSE examination. However, the standard of items conforms to the level of CBSE Class 8 Public Examinations. Also, parts of classes IX and X are also included.

[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/PC)
Mental Ability Test (MAT)	90 minutes	90 (90 MCQ, i.e. with options)	100	40	32
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)	90 minutes	90 (90 MCQs , i.e. with options)-35 MCQs on Science, 20 MCQs on Mathematics and 35 MCQs on Social Science	100	50	32
Interview	15–20 minutes		25	Not defined	Not defined

According to NTSE 2009 final results, the cut-off marks for general category stood at 155/225 (200 for written test+25 for interview), for SC-122/225, for ST-118/225 and for PC/disabled-72/225.

The students who qualify all the stages of NTSE successfully are eligible for scholarship. The amount of scholarship has been enhanced to Rs. 500/- per month for all the students studying in Class VIII onwards except for Ph.D., wherein it is paid according to 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.