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Exam Preparations:

THE HYPE ABOUT NTSE

If something is valuable, it won't be easily achievable. One needs to work hard to get what one deserves. No doubt, NTSE is a complex examination, given the cut-throat competition existing among the students.

Are you competitive enough to sit for NTSE? If you want to judge your capabilities and dream big, NTSE is a milestone. It will push your limits and make sure you get your dream career.

Are you confused about exam patterns, questions, and other related questions regarding NTSE? Get all the answers here!

What Is NTSE?

Boasting a long history of 55 years, NTSE, or National Talent Search Examination, is a national-level scholarship program by the Government of India. National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) organizes this exam for 10th-standard students. Like all national-level scholarship examinations, the scheme is to identify and encourage worthy students and enhance their skills, logical reasoning, and mental ability. NTSE offers 1000+ scholarships to these students to allow them to pursue courses in the stream of science and social science for up to doctoral-level studies. 

Indian states and UTs conduct the first stage of the examination. Students qualifying for stage 1 will be eligible for stage 2.

NTSE Eligibility Criteria

Since the examination has two stages, each stage has different eligibility criteria. 

STAGE 1:

Eligibility Criteria For Regular students:

1. The candidate must be below 18 years of age.

2. The candidate must be pursuing class 10 from any government or private school located in India.

2. Minimum required marks to sit for this examination is 60% for the general category and 55% for SC/ST/OBC in their 9th class.

3. The student must not be repeating Class 10th.

Eligibility Criteria For Students Studying Abroad:

1. Candidate must be Indian National.

2. A candidate must score 60% in the previous examination.

3. They will be eligible for the scholarship only if the candidate decides to pursue their studies in India.

STAGE 2:

1. Minimum of 80% marks on state board required to sit for NTSE stage 2.

2. Students in the general category must score 40%, and SC/ST/OBC must score 35% on each NTSE paper.

Examination Pattern:

NTSE is a paper-and-pencil examination, and the students have to mark the OMR sheets to respond to the questions. No negative marking is applicable. The time duration for each test is 120 minutes. 

STAGE 1: (State Level)

1. Part 1: Mental Ability Test (MAT), the aptitude test out of 100.

2. Part 2: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) comprises Science(out of 40), Social Science(out of 40), and Mathematics(out of 20).

STAGE 2: (National Level)

Students qualifying for Stage 1 will be eligible for Stage 2. The exam pattern remains the same, but the level of questions increases.

1. Part 1: MAT

2. Part 2: SAT( same as Stage 1)

How To Apply For NTSE?

Check the newspapers or circulars for state-level notification. Contact your respective State Liaison Officer and fill out the application form. Get it signed by School Principal and send it to the State Liaison Officer with the application fee. Though NCERT does not charge any application fee for the Stage 2 examination, the States and the UTs may notify the fee requirements.

How To Prepare For NTSE?

There's a saying, "Knowledge is power." To prepare for NTSE, you need to enhance your knowledge and be thorough with concepts. Developing analytical thinking power is mandatory to arrive at a logical and strategic solution to a given problem. One needs to have a conceptual knowledge of the syllabus up to class X. When you prepare for NTSE, you can grip on the misconceptions understood and fundamentals absorbed.

In-depth knowledge of Science and Mathematics is a requisite as 15% of questions are about applications. Similarly, managing the vast syllabus of Social science are equally important and requires strategy. Only CBSE textbooks will not be sufficient. One needs to refer to the regional state board books. 

Good planning will ace your preparation and ascertain that you get significant time to revise both your weak and strong areas. 

After finishing your syllabus at a specified time limit, solve the previous year's papers to understand the exam pattern. Practicing will help you gain confidence and ace your speed and accuracy. It will help you track your performance and recognize your key strengths and weaknesses. 

NTSE Reservation Criteria:

Scheduled Caste candidates- 15%

Scheduled Tribe candidates- 7.5%

Physically Challenged Group-4%

8 AMAZING Benefits Of Cracking NTSE:

Earning the title of an NTSE scholar is a matter of great pride. Along with the attractive scholarship, you get the benefits of being an NTSE Scholar throughout your life.

1. An NTSE scholar gets a monthly scholarship of Rs 1250 for pursuing science, social science, humanities, languages, fine arts, commerce, or vocational studies in classes XI and XII.

2. The scholarship amount is Rs 2000 for undergraduate courses.

3. Some colleges in India have exclusively reserved seats for NTSE scholars. Hence, you get direct admission without any entrance examinations.

4. NTSE scholars have a plus point over others if they want to study in a foreign country. Those who wish to apply for US Scholarships get additional marks for being an NTSE scholar. 

5. IIIT-Delhi adds up to 3.5 bonus points while considering admission into their institute.

6. Most recognized coaching centers that prepare for JEE, medical, etc., offer free admission and up to 50% off on study materials.

7. NTSE scholars get discounts on books and course material to help them study well and build a base for a bright future.  

8. Having an NTSE scholar title on your CV gives you an extra edge over others.

Conclusion

About 3,00,000 students take the examination all over the country. Being among the 2,000 qualifying students is a matter of pride. NTSE gives you a lot of advantages in several stages of your life. Cracking this prestigious examination is difficult but possible. So gather your confidence, gulp down your doubts, ace yourself for NTSE and see how your academic career changes before you! We, here at SciAstra, will make sure that you get the best knowledge from our highly-knowledgeable mentors. We guide students through their journey to the best career availabilities. Explore the possibilities and get the best of yourself.     

Exam Preparations:

All About Olympiads!

Olympiad examinations are the backbone of any competitive exam. Though it is for classes 1 to 10, it gives a competitive edge and promotes learning in the same subjects taught in class. These exams help assess students' knowledge and identify their strengths and weaknesses. These Olympiads are conducted at national levels as well as international levels. Cracking these Olympiads is a matter of great prestige and adds value to the resume of the candidate.

But, how many of you reading this article know about the eight different Olympiads conducted in India? If you want to know more about it, read till the end! 

ICO-International Computer Olympiad

The world is turning digital, and thus to prepare young minds for the future world, ICO has become the need of the hour.

For today's tech-savvy generation and computers being the talk of the town, the International Computer Olympiad (ICO) is one of the most interesting exams to make computer learning fun and effective. Students from Class 1 to Class 10 can participate in this Olympiad. International Computer Olympiad is also known as the Cyber Olympiad, Informatics Olympiad, and Digital Olympiad.

The best part is that Amrita University, Chennai Mathematical Institute, IIIT Delhi, IIIT Hyderabad, IIIT Gandhinagar, and other top colleges offers direct admission to selected students.

ISO-International Science Olympiad

ISO is a competitive exam conducted at the global level, which renders the young talent a platform where they can test their skills and improve themselves in the field of Science. It conducts exams for classes 1 to 10, keeping in mind the school syllabus, and contains topic-wise MCQ questions. While preparing for the exam, students learn scientific facts that make them understand concepts clearly. The questions are based upon applied Science, as the name suggests, and covers topics of physics, chemistry, and biology. The questions are objective type, and there is no negative marking. However, questions are trickier and more conceptual. 

IMO-International Maths Olympiad

We all have an idea that mathematics is a scoring subject and requires students to master concepts. To excel in mathematics, you need more and more practice. International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is such a platform where students are prepared to understand the basics. International Talent Olympiad (ITO) conducts the IMO exam for classes 1 to 10. It maps to the CBSE, ICSE, and other State Board curricula. Students preparing for it develop good calculative abilities, and this Olympiad makes it an enjoyable experience for students to deal with numbers, patterns, measurements, shapes, geometry, and much more. 

EIO- English International Olympiad

English International Olympiad aims to improve English spelling, grammar, and sentence structure and master students' language skills. English is a vast subject and is a never-ending process. It always has a scope for improvement. The main purpose of the English Olympiad exam is to improve the students' skills by making them familiar with the basic concepts. Both spoken and written skills are equally important. It makes the students confident and builds their communication skills. Students from classes 1 to 10 take part in this exam across different schools and test their level of knowledge of the English language. It assists them in being proficient in the field of English.

GKIO- General Knowledge International Olympiad

Indian Talent Olympiad conducts the General Knowledge Olympiad for classes 1 to 10, which tests the students' knowledge of their surroundings, current affairs, events, sports, politics, geography, etc. It enhances one's GK and makes one more familiar with the world. Students develop a lot of intelligence, which helps them to score well in other competitive exams that test on these topics. To prepare for it, candidates need to read the newspaper every day and know about the current happenings. The questions are fun to learn, and you have an idea about everything happening around you. This Olympiad exam ensures holistic development in every student and is one of the modern exams that has witnessed great demand.

NSSO-National Social Studies Olympiad

As the name suggests, National Social Studies Olympiad tests the students' knowledge of History, Geography, and Civics. The syllabus for this Olympiad is according to the respective classes and includes the base of all the boards. Social Studies is a subject that promotes humanities. The purpose of this examination is to help young children make informed decisions in their growing years. It aims to make children good citizens of society. They are taught the functioning of the society, including constitutional laws, rights and duties, morals and ethics, and a code of conduct, making them aware of the responsibilities in their lives. It gives opportunities to develop attitudes, skills, and knowledge and learn the fundamental concepts of culture and politics. Because of the critical thinking skills, students may become more confident and be good orators in the future. Apart from academic importance, this exam ensures to bring changes in children's lives.   

NESO-National Essay Olympiad

Writing a good essay is an art. To achieve this superpower, one needs to master the English language, have an excellent sentence structure, and have decent vocabulary power. National Essay Olympiad is for those students who have all of these traits in them. This Olympiad helps you be more creative and differs from mainstream subjects such as Mathematics, Science, General Knowledge, English, or Computers. Your art of storytelling enhances and tests your language skills. Essays are given on-spot depending on the grade level. Generally, the topics are current affairs or our surroundings. It ensures building excellent writing capabilities from a young age. Importance is given to impeccable grammar and the all-over presentation of the given topic. You may refer to authentic books to develop such excellent writing skills. The NESO gives a break from the routine academic subjects to know your creative writing skills.

IDO-International Drawing Olympiad

ITO believes students must focus on soft skills such as drawing, painting, sketching, etc., apart from excelling in academics. Many students possess exceptional drawing skills, and the International Drawing Olympiad helps nurture these talents. This exam helps bring out the hidden talent in schools through Drawing Competition and is conducted for Classes 1 to 10. This exam is a platform where students showcase their interest and aptitude for art. Students are tested on the ability to draw and express their creativity, choice of topics, the message conveyed, and attractiveness.

Preparation Tips and Concluding Thoughts

Olympiads are a bridge to your success and build the foundation of your competitive career, other than curriculum. When you are preparing for Olympiads, make sure to go through the syllabus thoroughly and understand the format of the question paper, including the marking scheme, etc. Cover the school curriculum in advance, prepare notes, and do the extensive practice. Practicing logical reasoning and analytical questions will give you a grip over the exam. Attempt as many MCQs as possible. Registrations of these Olympiad examinations happen in schools, so make sure to contact the concerned teacher beforehand. The digital way is the new way of studying. You can attempt any online sample papers to get to know how much you are prepared. Attempt all the questions and ace your exam!

Exam Preparations:

ICAR UG EXAMINATION

Agriculture and the allied fields have a huge scope in the near future for a country like India. Even if other industries may face downsizing, agriculture can never fall prey because "food" is the basic necessity for life. Feeding will never face a recession or a slowdown. For a couple of years, the agriculture industry showed development in technology, research, and innovation and has multiplied the scope of agriculture in a big way. Agriculture being the backbone of the Indian economy, an Undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Allied Sciences has become a career option for many young individuals. Not just in farming, but these courses have helped individuals work at high profiles in both corporates and government offices. Studying in the prestigious ICAR Colleges may help contribute to the agricultural sector and secure your bright future. This article will let you know the details of the ICAR exam and its benefits.      

What Is ICAR Exam?

The Indian Council For Agricultural Research (ICAR) All India Entrance Examination for Examination (AIEEA) UG is an exam organized to shortlist applicants for undergraduate agricultural and allied sciences programs. The organization comes under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.

ICAR conducts this examination to fill 15% of UG seats in the agricultural universities. This council is the apex body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture in the country.

The courses include agricultural engineering and marketing, fisheries, forestry, home sciences, sericulture, dairy technology, and food and science technology. India has one of the largest national agricultural systems in the world, with 101 ICAR institutes and 71 agricultural universities. The exam is conducted through Computer Based Test where the questions are objective-type with multiple-choice questions.

ICAR UG Eligibility Criteria

A candidate must check for the ICAR eligibility criteria before applying for the examination. Failing to meet the ICAR AIEEA criteria will make the candidates lose their candidacy for admission. The following are the criteria for ICAR AIEEA.

1. Only candidates above the age of 16 years can apply for the examination.

2. A candidate should qualify their Class 12th from CBSE Board or its equivalent from a recognized Board/University.

3. A student from the General category must score an aggregate of 50% in the previous board examination. The minimum marks required for SC, ST, and PWD category is 40% as aggregate.

4. The nationality of the applying candidate should be Indian only.

ICAR AIEEA UG Exam Pattern

The ICAR AIEEA exam is conducted in online mode. It is subdivided into two streams on the basis of their stream during intermediate. It comprises 180 questions, and the time limit for solving these questions is 150 minutes. The total mark is 480. Each question is a multiple-choice question with four options, out of which the candidate has to select one correct response. For each correct answer, four marks will be awarded. One mark is deducted for each incorrect answer from the total score. The medium of the question paper is in both English and Hindi. The questions in ICAR AIEEA will be from subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Agriculture, of which one has to attend any three. If you are preparing for NEET, it might be easier for you to sit for the examination as both exams have similar syllabus and examination patterns, except the mathematics subject for AIEEE, for candidates seeking admission to Agricultural Engineering.

Like any other national or state-level engineering and medical tests, equal importance is given to all subjects and chapters in the ICAR exam.

ICAR AIEEA Counseling

The counseling process is conducted in online mode after the council releases the rank card and counseling letter on the official website of ICAR. All the qualified candidates will have to register for the counseling process by filling out the online form with the mandatory details and paying the registration fee. After this, the candidate needs to fill their choices of courses/universities in the stipulated time period. They can update their choices umpteen times before the last date or until they lock their choices. The council will take the option you selected at the end and move further with the counseling process. The eligible candidates will be allotted seats after document verification and the fee payment of seat acceptance. Note that the candidate is not required to report physically for admission during any round of counseling. However, the candidate needs to produce the original documents during physical verification by the university during registration in the allotted university.  

5 Tips For Better Preparation

1. Study topic-wise.

2. Go through the official syllabus and make short notes when studying a particular subject.

3. Revise the chapters on a regular basis.

4. Prepare a timetable and try to stick to it.

5. Practise more and more sample papers.

Career Options After Agricultural Studies at ICAR Colleges

1. Indian Forest Service

It is one of the most prestigious services where you can work at different posts in forest departments of the Central or State Government. An IFS can hold positions such as quality assurance officer, production manager, field officer, operations manager, etc.

2. Banking

Students after studying at ICAR colleges may work in the banking sector and deal with agricultural finance and related issues. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development recruits graduates and postgraduates for key positions.

3. Research

You can be among the agricultural scientists and work in laboratories, conduct research and experiments and propose methods to increase agriculture. Research scientists help examine animal diseases, cures, treatments, and solutions.

4. Engineering

Agricultural engineers work on the mechanical side of agriculture and help design, develop, install, and maintain agricultural machinery that improves the efficiency in these sectors.

5. Corporate

Corporate job includes monitoring and administrative positions in fertilizer manufacturing, agriculture product marketing companies, food processing units, etc.

Conclusion

If you want a career in the agricultural sector, you should go for ICAR Exams. Prepare well, and to help you guide you through your path, we at SciAstra will ensure that you get the authentic resources and get the expertise of the best mentors. Start your preparation early and ensure you have enough time to revise the syllabus.  

Exam Preparations:

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) UG Admission

From nuclear physicist Homi Bhabha, founder of India's space program Vikram Sarabha, author Sudha Murty, Dr. Vasudev Kalkunte Aatre, the former head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation to Rajagopala Chidambaram, known for his integral role in India's Nuclear weapons, the list goes on and on. With such notable alumni, IISc had associations with the best of the minds who have held significant academic and industry positions around the globe.

Nobody can deny the fact that the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is one of the most prestigious academic institutions in India. Located in Bangalore, IISc is a premier institute for advanced scientific and technological research and education. Are you curious to know more about this university? How to apply for UG programs? What are the benefits of studying in this prestigious college? In this article, we will get all your doubts cleared.

What Is IISc All About?

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), known for its 107 years of existence, has emphasized the pursuit of basic knowledge in science and engineering and leveraging its research findings for the country's industrial and social welfare. The establishment of IISc was a partnership between Jamsetji Tata, the Maharaja of Mysore, and the Government of India. A beautiful campus of 4000 acres in Bangalore and 1500 acre campus in Challakere, IISc is known among the residents as "Tata Institute."

The difference between IITs and IISc is that IISc offers BS degrees in both core and interdisciplinary topics. It has a purer scientific approach and puts in more research work than IITs in the core science region. The faculties of IISc have a high collaboration with industry and government research grants and projects. It ranks 11 in the world and 3 in Asia while considering Citations per faculty. With more than 40 departments, centers, or units, around 4000 students, and nearly 440 academic and scientific staff personnel, the departments at IISc fall under the purview of either the Science Faculty or the Engineering Faculty.    

IISc Bangalore UG Eligibility Criteria

1. A candidate must qualify their 10+2 intermediate or PUC examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as one of the main subjects from any recognized board.

2. Minimum of 60% marks or equivalent grade is required in their previous qualifying examination to be eligible for admission,

3. Selection to the BSc (Research) program is based on the entrance scores of the following national level entrance examination such as KVPY/ JEE Main/ JEE Advanced/ NEET-UG etc.

How To Apply For IISc Admissions?

1. Visit the official website of IISc.

2. Click on the admission link available on the home page. The application forms will be available online.

3. Fill out the admission form and click on the payment option.

4. Candidates must keep a hard copy of the form for further need.

IISc Bangalore UG Courses

IISc offers admission to its four-year Bachelor of Science Programme. It has six different divisions: Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Electrical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Research, Mechanical Sciences, and Physical and Mathematical Sciences. One must study all the specializations in the first three semesters (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials, Earth and Environmental Sciences as Humanities and Engineering). After which, a student may choose to pursue a course of their liking.

The co-existence of various departments in the same university gives a unique opportunity for researchers to participate in research within and across various departments.

Benefits of Studying In IISc Bangalore

Excellent Infrastructure

Undoubtedly IISc has an excellent infrastructure available in individual departments. It also offers several centrally located facilities for researchers. It has one of the best science and technology libraries in India. The library spends over six crores annually on journal subscriptions. The center serves as a functionally distributed supercomputing environment, housing computing systems with sophisticated software packages and connected by a high-speed network. Other facilities such as a gym, tennis courts, jogging tracks, swimming pool, and a faculty club are available on the campus.

Financial help

In reputed institutes such as IISc, the tuition fee is negligible. The government runs various scholarship programs for needy students. The college fee never becomes a burden for students and parents.

Research Collaborations

As IISc hosts the finest faculty, they have contacts all across the globe. The labs at IISc are so famous that the students can easily get accepted into any of the top universities in any nation. They often have many research collaborations with industry and foreign universities.

Placements

With so much to gain from IISc, it is evident that a student will get the best placement in any field. Top companies approach campus placements and offer a package of more than 20 lac per annum. Regular recruiters include Adobe, Facebook, HP, GE, Intel, MRF, Godrej, Cisco, Microsoft, Tata Steel, TCS, and many more. Though most IIScians tend to move to research. ISRO directly recruit Junior research scientist from IISc.

Conclusion

Starting with only three departments, the Indian Institute of Science has become a precious national resource center in the field of Science and Technology. Candidates are advised to submit their IISC Application Fee before the prescribed date, as no application form will be accepted after the completion of the registration procedure. So ace your KVPY/ JEE Main/ JEE Advanced/ NEET-UG exams to study from one of the top-most colleges in India. Once you get into IISc, you will not regret anything in your life anymore. If you need any help, we have qualified mentors in SciAstra who might guide you in your path ahead.    

Exam Preparations:

IACS Examination-Eligibility, Selection Criteria and everything that you need to know

Are you thinking of making a career in the teaching sector in research fields in Science and Technology? Then, IACS will be a milestone for your future endeavors. The objective of IACS is to provide high-quality education, research, and training in Science. Undergraduate teaching is integrated with modern research in all major Schools of the Institute. If you are wondering what is this exam all about, the eligibility criteria, and the selection process, we have the answer right here. Read till the end and find out more about this course!

What is IACS Exam?

The Indian Association of Science and Technology organizes IACS Exam to offer various courses like the Master's and Integrated Master'sPhD Program for Chemical Science, Physical Sciences, Materials Sciences, Mathematical and Computational Sciences. IACS, the oldest institute in India, the institute to earn Asia's first Nobel Prize in science-based research work, devotes the pursuit of fundamental research in the frontier areas of basic sciences. It continues even today. It aims to cultivate Science in all its departments. The courses offered are Integrated Bachelor's and Master's programs in Science (BSc-MSc) and integrated Master's and Ph.D. programs in Biological Science (Int. M.Sc-Ph.D). Admittance at this institute is merit-based and highly prestigious.

IASC UG Application (Integrated B.Sc-MSc)

IASC offers various UG courses for students. Aspirants may choose from a variety of programs, including B.Sc. For BSc, a candidate may apply with an intermediate degree. The course duration is five years, and the seat intake capacity is 70.

Eligibility:

1. The candidate must pass the 10+2 level with a minimum of 60% marks or first division in both the board exams. For reserved categories, the mark required is 55%.

2. Must be Indian-National.

Selection Criteria

1. To get admission, all candidates need to appear for the UG Pre-Interview Screening Test, UPST, a computer-based test consisting of multiple-choice questions in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Computer Science or Biological Science.

2. The test is held in various cities across India. Those who qualify for the test will be selected for an interview.

3. Any KVPY fellow scoring a rank in JEE Main or NEET will be called for the interview directly. Such candidates need not give UPST. A total of 10 seats are available for them.

IACS for PG (Integrated M.Sc-Ph.D)

For Integrated M.Sc and Ph.D. courses offered by IACS, the course duration is five years, and the seat intake capacity is 30.

Eligibility:

1. Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering is the minimum requirement for getting admission in this course.

2. Candidates must score 60% marks (55% for Reserved categories) in their bachelor's degree and first division in 10 and 10+2 levels.

3. Any final year degree student may also apply.

Selection Criteria:

1. To get admission, candidates have to take a Master's Pre-Interview Screening Test conducted by the institute.

2. MPST is held all across India and contains MCQ-type questions only.

3. Qualifying in this test will lead to an interview. Candidates cracking the interview will be given admission.

4. Maximum of 30 students will be finalized in each of the schools offering the program.

IACS Ph.D. Admission

The course duration for this criteria is two years and the selection criteria are based on academic records, entrance scores, written test exams, and interviews.

Eligibility

1. The candidates should have a master's degree to sit for this examination.

2. Marks required are 55% aggregate marks (50% for reserved categories) for a master's degree.

3. They must qualify for the UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/JEST or equivalent national level examinations.

Selection Criteria

1. Admission is given based on the candidate's academic score and performance in UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/JEST or equivalent national level examinations.

2. Shorlisted candidates will be conveyed by email and qualified for the written examination.

3. The final selection list will be based on the written examination report, and the candidate will be called for an interview. 

How to Apply?

To apply for the IACS examination, visit the official examination and click on the UG-PG Admission link available on the home page. 

Click on Online Application, and fill out the form carefully. You will receive login credentials on your registered email ID and contact number. Log in using these credentials and make the payment online. The fee is INR 1200 for the general category, and for SC/ST/PWD applicants, it is INR 600. Take the printout of the form.  

Conclusion

IACS is a specialized autonomous institute and is best if you want to do your research in chemistry, physics, biology, or maths. 

The IACS exam is an online MCQ-type examination. Questions come from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and one out of Computer Science or Biological Science. Cracking this exam and the interview will get you admitted to this institute funded directly by DST and the state government. You get highly qualified faculties with standard research facilities. But getting into this prestigious institute is not an easy job, and you require a lot of preparation. Here, SciAstra may help you. Our trained and highly-qualified faculties will guide you through your journey and ensure you a secure future.  

Exam Preparations:

NISER UG ADMISSIONS

All about NISER

NISER-The name is enough to woo an aspirant of Science background. A dream college of many, the National Institute of Science and Research is situated on 300 acres of land in Jatni town, 25 km from the center of the city of Bhubaneswar. Officially founded on 6th September 2007, this unique institution is committed to the generation, dissemination, and preservation of knowledge in basic sciences, integrated with a goal to create zeal and fervor in the minds of young buds of the nation. 

The institute is affiliated with Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Mumbai, a deemed university that oversees academic programs at Institutions that are part of the DAE structure. It is operated under the Department of Atomic Energy, Govt. of India.

NISER Courses 

NISER offers an integrated MSc program in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, and Biology for the undergraduate level. After completion of the courses, students are honored with the degree of Master of Science in any of the above four mentioned subjects. All admissions are offered according to the candidate's course preferences. The practical experience here is unparalleled. With qualified faculty and labs, you get a lot of benefits if you study in this prestigious institute.  

NISER-Integrated BSc-MSc Eligibility

1. Candidates applying for admission in NISER must qualify 10+2 level exam or equivalent with a minimum of 60% marks in aggregate from a recognized board in India. However, the minimum marks required for SC, ST, and PwD candidates, minimum marks required is 55%.

2. Candidates seeking admission have to qualify in the National Screening Test (NEST). Selections will be based on NEST exam scores.

3. To appear for this examination, candidates must match the required age limit of NEST prescribed by the university. 

What is NEST?

NEST-National Entrance Screening Test is a national-level entrance test conducted to enroll students for NISER's five-year integrated MSc program in basic sciences. It is compulsory for any student who wants to get admitted to NISER.  

NEST Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Obtaining a seat in NISER has become highly competitive. The questions in the NEST examination test conceptual understanding and analytical ability. It is essential to know the pattern, including paper structure, marking scheme, and type of questions. 

1. The exam is computer-based (CBT), wherein candidates will be allotted systems to take the examination. 

2. Questions will be in the English Language only.

3. It will be multiple choice (MCQ) questions, where the students have to darken the correct options in the OMR sheets. 

4. The total number of questions to be attempted is 70. The paper is divided into five sections. 

5. The candidates are open to attempting as many sections as they wish.

6. The question paper will be based on the Class 12 level for all the sections. The subjects include Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics.

7. All sections carry equal marks and have sectional cutoffs. 

8. The results are evaluated out of 180 marks for the General section and the 'best three' of the subject sections.

Section-Wise Cutoff

For each section, 20% of the average of the best 100 scores will be considered as Section-wise Minimum Admissible Score (SMAS). A candidate needs to clear the cutoff in all four subject sections for inclusion in the NISER Merit list. 

Even though a candidate must score equal to or more than the respective SMAS in all four subjects for inclusion in the NISER merit list, only the three best scores from subject sections will be considered for the merit rank. 

NEST General Section Preparation 

The General Section of the NEST question paper carries 30 marks, which tests the candidate's aptitude in Science. The questions are likely to come from mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, computer science, and Environment. You may expect lengthy passages on these topics. Try to attempt all the questions as there is no negative marking in this section. Be confident about calculations and try to do them in a tabular form. Stick to your basics and keep knowledge about the previous year's test papers.  

Why Choose NISER Over Other Institutes?

1. Excellent curriculum

The programs designed for the able students at NISER provide strong foundations through core courses before they embark on the threshold of research in the field of their choice. All students get the frontiers of knowledge and an environment of a scientific culture where they can excel in any field they desire to pursue.

2. Overwhelming facilities

NISER provides all the modern facilities like a vast modern library, computer center with high-performance computing resources, laboratories to acquire skills to perform experiments, gymnasium, meditation center, hostel facilities, etc. The students get a lot of seminars and mutual discussions, along with their coursework. 

3. Excellent faculty

NISER has well-qualified faculty members with splendid research-based achievements. The extensive national and international collaborations of its faculty members expose the students of NISER to cutting-edge research across the world. The curriculum is amply supported by a visitor's program by accomplished scientists from India and abroad, enhancing the growth of the students.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, NISER recognizes that modern scientific research is carried out in a domain without boundaries, where the students flourish in the ambiance of this scientific culture. The primary goal of NISER is not to provide placements but to produce graduates who would be working in the scientific domain and making noticeable contributions to the scientific development of society. However, the majority of students get placed in good instituions for pursuing a Ph.D. and are doing pretty well in the fields of research. Internship opportunities are abundant, and a number of students do internships in India and abroad. 

So, if you are a NEST aspirant and see your dream college as NISER, then you need to prepare well and be ready to face all the challenges! Remember, if you want to get admitted to one of the best research institutions in India, you have to prove yourself. If you want any guidance, we are here to help! Check out our website to know more about the course details.