The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a scholarship program for students in India, which is conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The purpose of the NTSE is to identify talented students and provide them with financial assistance to pursue their education.
NTSE Syllabus
The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a scholarship program for students in India, which is conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The NTSE syllabus is designed to test a student’s mental ability, scholastic aptitude, and general awareness in various subjects. The syllabus is based on the State Board syllabus for Class 9 and 10, but the difficulty level of the questions is higher than that of the regular school curriculum. Here is a brief overview of the NTSE syllabus:
Mental Ability Test (MAT):
This test is designed to evaluate a student’s ability to think, comprehend, and reason. The questions in this test cover topics like analogies, series, coding-decoding, classification, pattern perception, hidden figures, and problem-solving.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
This test evaluates a student’s academic ability and knowledge in various subjects. The SAT is further divided into two parts:
Language Test: This test assesses a student’s understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
Mathematics, Science, and Social Science Test: This test assesses a student’s knowledge of various concepts in mathematics, science, and social science.
The following is a more detailed breakdown of the NTSE syllabus:
1. Mental Ability Test (MAT):
- Analogies
- Classification
- Series
- Pattern perception
- Hidden figures
- Coding-decoding
- Block assembly
- Problem-solving
- Numerical reasoning
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):
- Language Test:
- Reading comprehension
- Grammar and usage
- Vocabulary
- Sentence completion
- Mathematics:
- Number systems
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Trigonometry
- Science:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Social Science:
- History
- Geography
- Civics
- Economics2
Note: The NTSE syllabus may vary slightly depending on the state or union territory in which the exam is conducted. Candidates are advised to refer to the official NCERT website or the State/UT Board of Secondary Education for the latest information on the NTSE syllabus.
Important Topics & Weightage – Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Here is Important Topics & Weightage – Mental Ability Test (MAT)
Topic | Description | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Analogy and Classification | Questions related to similarities and differences between two things, and classification of objects based on their properties. | 10-12 marks |
| Series and Pattern Completion | Questions related to completing the missing terms in a series or pattern. | 8-10 marks |
| Alphabet and Number Test | Questions related to the position of letters and numbers in the alphabet, and numerical operations. | 8-10 marks |
| Coding-Decoding | Questions related to coding and decoding of words and phrases. | 6-8 marks |
| Blood Relations | Questions related to family relationships and kinship. | 6-8 marks |
| Direction Sense | Questions related to finding directions and distance. | 4-6 marks |
| Mathematical Operations | Questions related to basic mathematical operations. | 4-6 marks |
| Logical Venn Diagrams | Questions related to logical relationships between different sets of objects. | 4-6 marks |
| Ranking and Arrangement | Questions related to arranging objects or persons based on certain criteria. | 4-6 marks |
| Cube and Dice | Questions related to the visualization and manipulation of three-dimensional objects. | 2-4 marks |
| Missing Character | Questions related to finding the missing character in a given sequence. | 2-4 marks |
| Paper Folding and Cutting | Questions related to folding and cutting of paper to create a given pattern. | 2-4 marks |
Note: The weightage given above is approximate and may vary slightly from year to year.
Important Topics & Weightage – Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Here is Important Topics & Weightage – Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Subject |
Description |
Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Number systems, Coordinate geometry, Probability, Statistics, etc. | 20-22 marks |
| Physics | Motion, Work, Energy and Power, Electricity and Magnetism, Sound, Light and Optics, Gravitation, Laws of Motion, Heat and Thermodynamics, etc. | 12-14 marks |
| Chemistry | Chemical reactions and equations, Acids, Bases and Salts, Metals and Non-Metals, Periodic Table, Carbon and its Compounds, Chemical Bonding, etc. | 12-14 marks |
| Biology | Nutrition, Respiration, Transportation, Excretion, Coordination and Control, Heredity and Evolution, Reproduction, etc. | 12-14 marks |
| History | The Harappan Civilization, The Vedic Period, Jainism and Buddhism, The Mauryan Empire, The Gupta Empire, Medieval India, The Mughal Empire, The British Rule in India, India after Independence, etc. | 10-12 marks |
| Geography | Physical Geography (Earth and Solar System, Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere and Climate, etc.) and Political Geography (India and the World, Population, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Industries, etc.) | 10-12 marks |
| Political Science | Constitution, Democracy and Diversity, Electoral Politics, Political Parties and Pressure Groups, Popular Struggles and Movements, Challenges to Democracy, India and the Contemporary World – I, etc. | 8-10 marks |
| Economics | The Story of Development, Sectors of the Indian Economy, Money and Credit, Globalisation and the Indian Economy, Consumer Rights, etc. | 8-10 marks |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, etc.), Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Homophones, etc.), Writing Skills (Letter writing, Story writing, Report writing, etc.), etc. | 10-12 marks |
| Mental Ability Test | Analogies, Classification, Series, Pattern perception, Hidden figures, Coding-decoding, Block assembly, Problem-solving, etc. | 50-60 marks |
Note: The weightage given above is approximate and may vary slightly from year to year.
Exam Pattern
Here is the information about the NTSE Exam Pattern
Stage |
Test |
No. of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes (2 hours) | |
| Stage 2 | Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 100 | 100 | 120 minutes (2 hours) |
Note: Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the NTSE exam have two tests, i.e., the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The MAT and SAT tests in both stages have the same number of questions, maximum marks, and duration.
In Stage 1, both the MAT and SAT tests are conducted on the same day, with a break of a few hours in between.
In Stage 2, both the MAT and SAT tests are conducted on different days. The MAT test is conducted on the first day, and the SAT test is conducted on the second day.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The NTSE syllabus includes the Class IX and Class X syllabus of CBSE/ICSE and the respective state board. The syllabus for the MAT test includes reasoning and analytical skills, while the SAT test includes subjects like Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and English.
A: No, the syllabus is the same for both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the NTSE. The difficulty level of the questions may vary, but the syllabus remains the same.
A: There are many books available in the market for NTSE preparation. Some popular books are published by Arihant, MTG, Pearson, and NCERT. Students can also refer to previous years’ question papers for preparation.
A: No, it is not necessary to join a coaching institute for NTSE preparation. With self-study, dedication, and practice, students can prepare well for the exam. However, joining a coaching institute can provide guidance, regular practice, and doubt clearing sessions, which can be helpful for some students.
A: The weightage of Mathematics in the SAT test may vary from state to state. In some states, Mathematics has a higher weightage compared to other subjects. It is important to check the weightage of each subject in the SAT test of the respective state.
