NTSE (National Talent Scholarship Examination) Exam Pattern 2018
Last Updated -
February 24 2018
NTSE (National Talent Scholarship Examination) Exam Pattern 2018
NTSE Exam Format talks about the detailed paper format, syllabus, marking scheme, sectional weightage, types of questions and total time allotted to each section. It is decided by NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) each year. Overall, the exam format of NTSE (National Talent Scholarship Examination) has not seen any major changes over the years.
Here are the key highlights of NTSE Exam Format:
- NTSE Exam Format for Stage 1- This will be a state-level exam. Stage 1 consists of 2 sections namely- Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The exam is held in offline mode. There will be a total of 200 multiple choice questions. Negative marking does not apply at NTSE Stage 1.
- NTSE Exam Format for Stage 2- This will be a national-level exam. Students who complete Stage 1 will appear for this stage. Stage 2 is also divided into Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) sections. This exam is also held in offline mode. Negative marking is eligible in this paper.
NTSE is a 2-tier scholarship program for talented class 10 students organizeed by NCERT. Read below to learn clear details about NTSE 2018 Exam Format. Stage 1 will be held in November 2017 while Stage 2 exam will be held in May 2018.
Highlights of NTSE Exam Format 2018
NTSE 2018 Exam Format will give all candidates an idea about what can be expected from the exam. The details about different aspects concerned to the scholarship test like the method of the exam, the time period of the exam, type of questions that will be asked in the exam, marking scheme, the total number of questions, etc. are said in the table that follows:
| NTSE Exam Format Highlights |
|---|
Exam Mode | Offline (pen and paper-based test) |
Question Paper type | Objective (MCQs) |
Number of Stages | 2 |
Number of Sections | 2 (Mental Ability Test and Scholastic Aptitude Test) |
Total no. of questions | 200 |
Marks honoured for accurate response | +1 |
Total marks | 200 |
Exam duration | 3 hours (180 minutes) |
Medium of language | English or Hindi |
Negative marking | Eligible only for Stage 2 |
NTSE Exam Format 2018 for Stage 1
- The question paper will be segregated into 2 sections- Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
- The medium of the language of the exam in English or Hindi.
- The maximum marks a candidate can score in Stage 1 are 200.
- Students must select the most suitable response out of 4 alternative options.
- Stage 1 of NTSE is a pen and paper based/ offline test. It is a state-level exam.
- They must note that negative marking scheme will not be eligible for NTSE 2018 Stage 1 exam.
- The second section i.e. SAT will be further divided into 2 parts- Language Test and Sciences, Mathematics & Social Sciences.
- It consists of 200 objective questions to be solved within a period of 180 minutes.
Here are the key sectional weightage of NTSE Stage 1:
| Test | | No. of questions | Maximum marks | Time |
|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | Language Extensive Test | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Aptitude Test | 100 | 100 | 90 |
| Total | | 200 | 200 | 180 |
NTSE Exam Format 2018 for Stage 2
- The paper is divided into two parts – MAT and SAT, like that in Stage-I.
- Stage 2 of NTSE is organizeed at National Level, where shortlisted students from Stage-I (State-level) exam appear to compete for the scholarship.
- There will be a total of 200 objective-type questions. Check Specimen Copy of NTSE OMR Sheet
- No marks will be deducted for unattempted questions.
- However, 1/3 marks are deducted for every wrong response marked by the aspirant at this Stage.
- The test is to be finished in 180 minutes.
| Test | No. of questions | Maximum marks | Time |
|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Language Test (LT) English/ Hindi | 50 | 50 | 45 |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 100 | 100 | 90 |
| Total | 200 | 200 | 180 |
Qualifying Criteria of NTSE 2018
The qualifying marks for NTSE is various for all papers and subjects and is various for all categories. Here we have listed the qualifying percentage for each paper, subject, and category:-
| Papers | Maximum Marks | Qualifying Percentage/ Marks |
|---|
| -- | -- | General Category | SC/ST/PH Category |
| Paper I (MAT) | 49* | 40% (19.6) | 35% (17.15) |
| # Paper II (English Language) | 50 | 40% (20.0) | 35% (17.5) |
| # Paper II (Hindi Language) | 50 | 40% (20.0) | 35% (17.5) |
| Paper III (SAT) | 96** | 40% (38.4) | 35% (33.6) |
| Total Marks | 145 | 40% (58) | 35% (50.75) |
- *: One question dropped from MAT paper
- #: Qualifying paper (its number will not be considered while preparing the merit list)
- **: Four questions dropped from SAT paper
Read more about NTSE Qualifying Criteria
Marking Scheme of NTSE 2018
Aspirants must know the marking scheme in order to decide how to attempt the questions in NTSE. There has not been any change in the marking scheme of NTSE over the years. Read the stage-wise NTSE Marking Scheme:
NTSE Marking Scheme- Stage 1
- +1 marks will be honoured to students for marking every correct response.
- There will be no penalty for marks charged for marking wrong or inaccurate responses i.e. negative marking will not be eligible
- Marks will not be deducted from the total score of the person for leaving a question blank or failure in attempting it.
- Sectional cut off score and the sectional time limit will be eligible for the exam.
NTSE Marking Scheme- Stage 2
- The only difference will be that negative marking will be eligible.
- Marking scheme for NTSE 2018 Stage 2 will be similar to the premier stage.
- 1/3rd mark will be deducted from the total score of candidates for every wrong response.
Syllabus of NTSE 2018
- It will be as decided by NCERT for every section.
- Aspirants must make sure that they follow the right syllabus to prepare well for the exam.
- The section wise syllabus is given as follows:
- NTSE syllabus will be based on Senior Secondary or Class 10 level.
NTSE Syllabus- Mental Ability
Students have to cover all the topics given in this section. A variety of problems based on analogies, series and formats, classification, hidden figures, coding and decoding, assembly of blocks, problem-solving etc. will be asked in this section.
| NTSE Syllabus for Mental Ability |
|---|
Alphabets and Number test | Word Problems |
Analogy (Non-Verbal and Verbal) | Water and Mirror Images |
Blood relations | Venn Diagrams |
Direction Sense | Series (Verbal and Non-Verbal) |
Calendar, Time and Clock | Ranking and Arrangements |
Coding-Decoding | Paper Cutting and Folding |
Cube and Dice | Missing Character |
Embedded Figure | Mathematical Operations |
NTSE Syllabus- Language Test
It is a relatively scoring section designed to judge the power of reading comprehension, logical sequencing and creative components of language. Main topics for the English language are-
| NTSE Syllabus for Language Test |
|---|
One word substitution | Rearrangement of jumbled words |
Paragraph and sentence completion | Synonyms & Antonyms |
Reading comprehension | - |
NTSE Syllabus- Mathematics, Science and Social Science
This section requires vast topics to be covered. Students must focus on this section in order to score well. The main subject-wise topics are mentioned below: It has the maximum weightage and difficulty level is moderate.
Mathematics- This topic comprises chapters studied from class 6 to 10. The main chapters are- About 30 questions are asked on this topic.
| NTSE Syllabus for Mathematics |
|---|
Basic Geometry | Trigonometry |
Coordinate Geometry | Triangles |
Circle | Simple & Compound Interest |
Direct and Inverse Variations | Surface Areas and Volume |
Exponents | Square & Cube Roots |
Linear Equation | Rational Numbers |
Mensuration | Quadratic Equations |
Number System | Probability and Statistics |
Percentage & its Application | Playing with Numbers |
Science- This subject also has topics studied from class 6 to 10. However, more focus is laid on Class 9 and 10 chapters. About 35 questions are asked on this subject. Important topics are-
| NTSE Syllabus for Science |
|---|
Acid Bases and Salts | Work and Energy |
Air | Water |
Cellular Level of Organization | Structure of Atom |
Carbon and its Compound | Sound |
Diversity in Living organisms | Soil |
Fibers and Plastics | Common diseases |
Food Production &Management | Reproduction |
Human Body | Periodic Classification of Elements |
Heredity and Evolution | Environment |
Life Procedures | Motion and Force |
Light | Micro-Organisms |
Magnetic & Electricity at Work | Measurement |
Metals & Non-Metals | - |
Social Science- This subject comprises chapter studied from class 8 to 10. Questions based on History, Geography, Political Science and Economics are asked. Important topics are said below:
| NTSE Syllabus for Social Science |
|---|
Agriculture | World History |
Atmosphere | Water Resources |
Biosphere | Vedic Period |
British raj | Union Government |
Democracy and Elections | UN and International Agencies |
Diversity and Livelihood | Mughal Empire |
Early Medieval Period | Mauryas |
Early States | Judiary |
Eighteen Century Political Patternion | Delhi Sultanate |
French Revolution | Solar system |
India and its Neighbors | Population Resources and Development |
Indian Constitution | Famous Movements and Social Reforms |
Indian Freedom Struggle | Our country- India |
Indus Valley Civilization | Natural Vegetation |
Industrial Revolution | Nationalism in Different Countries |
Internal Structure of the Earth and Rocks | Motion of the Earth |
Introduction and Sources of Ancient Indian History | Government |
Jainism, Buddhism and Conquerors from Distant Lands | - |
Preparation Books for NTSE 2018
NTSE 2018 reference books are given below to help students score well:
| Book | Publication/ Author |
|---|
| Study Package for NTSE Class X | McGraw Hill |
| Exercise Papers NTSE Class X | TMH Books |
| Pearson Guide to NTSE Class 10 | Saurabh Priyadarshini |
| NTSE Explorer: MAT+SAT+ English Language Test | Sonia Lal |
| An Extensive Manual for NTSE Class 10 | Reach Publishing |
Important Instructions for NTSE 2018
It is the responsibility of every participant to ensure that they follow some rules and regulations to maintain the decorum of the exam hall so that NTSE 2018 proceeds properly. These instructions are given below:
- Students must report to the test centre minimum 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the exam and occupy the seats bearing their Roll number.
- They must only carry their NTSE Hall Ticket and a ball-point pen for marking their answers.
- Candidates must write down their roll number on the Hall Ticket, Response sheet and Question Booklet.
- Calculators, Mathematical as also physical tables are not permitted inside the exam hall.
- They must follow the instructions given by the examiner and hand over their response sheet, question booklet and admission card to them.
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