Sunday 5 April 2020

How to prepare for NTSE Stage II 2019-20 ?

NTSE Stage I results of almost all States and Union Territories are out and NTSE Stage II 2019-20 is expected to be held on 10th May 2020 (due to the present conditions caused by COVID 19, it's expected that the exam of NTSE Stage II will be rescheduled)
But the positive thing during this lockdown period is that the student community has got appropriate time to prepare for NTSE Stage II. For NTSE 2018-19 about 8500 cleared NTSE Stage I and appeared for NTSE Stage II and out of these 8500 students 2103 became NTSE Scholar
1069 students in the list of General Category list (cut off 134)
570 students in the OBC Category list (cut off 116)
309 students in the SC Category list (cut off 105)
155 students in the ST Category list (cut off 93)
http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/pdf_files/NTSEResult2019.pdf

from the above analysis, we can say that out of 4 students only one made it to the NTSE merit list. So overall its going to be a tough exam. Don't forget that every student appearing in NTSE Stage II has cleared NTSE Stage I and is one of the best student from his/her State or UT

Syllabus and Paper Pattern for NTSE Stage II - NTSE Stage I is conducted by the respective State Boards, hence some of the States cover the State Board Syllabus in NTSE Stage I. NTSE Stage II will be conducted at National Level by NCERT. Though there is no prescribed syllabus for NTS examination. However the standard of items shall be confirming to the level of class IX and X
http://www.ncert.nic.in/programmes/talent_exam/pdf_files/Information_Brochure_2019.pdf

Going by the previous years papers, we can say that Social Science section of the SAT paper of  NTSE Stage II will mainly cover the NCERT Social Science syllabus of Class IX and X. Here we have to keep in mind that the State board syllabus which were covered in NTSE Stage I will not be covered in NTSE Stage II, will cover only the syllabus of NCERT Social Science syllabus of Class IX and X (one or two questions can be of higher level, but most of the questions will be from Class IX and X syllabus only)
Previous years papers of NTSE Stage II can be easily accessed on GOOGLE

Analysis of the Social Science section of previous years papers of NTSE Stage II 


Going by the above analysis of Social Science section, we can say that the syllabus of Class IX and X carries equal importance. Generally equal number of questions have been asked from Class IX as well as Class X syllabus, hence students are advised to give equal importance to the syllabus of class IX and X. As far as Class X syllabus is concerned, students of CBSE Board has just finished the syllabus and appeared for Board examination on 18th March, so I am not much worried about class X syllabus. Its suggested that students must now concentrate on class IX syllabus and get it thoroughly prepared.
Last two years paper analysis says, 12 questions has been asked from History, 12 from Geography section, 8 from Civics and 8 from Economics. So no risk can be taken as far as History and Geography are concerned. If I would be preparing for NTSE Stage II Social Science section, my first priority would be to cover the History/Geography syllabus, Second priority will be Economics part (total 8 questions from 9 chapters of class IX and X). Third priority will be Civics, as only 8 questions will be asked and for that I will have to prepare 14 chapters
History section,
Ist Unit of Class IX (French Revolution, Russian Revolution, Nazism and the Rise of Hitler) needs to be prepared thoroughly. From IInd Unit emphasis should be on Forest Society and Colonialism, then Pastoralism in the modern world and if still time is left with you then Peasant and Farmers chapter needs to be done. IIIrd unit i.e. Cricket & Clothing chapter is our last priority. When the complete syllabus would get completed and still time is left then we will go for IIIrd unit of Class IX History
In the Ist Unit of class X History first priority should be 'Rise of Nationalism in Europe' and 'Nationalism in India'. In IInd Unit first priority is 'Globalisation in the Modern World', then 'The Age of Industrialisation' is to be done (both these chapters were optional for CBSE Board exams, but are compulsory for NTSE exam). In IIIrd unit Print Culture is to be done. When we will finish the complete syllabus and still time is left with us then we will go for Rise of 'Nationalism in Indo-China', 'Work, Life and Leisure' and 'Novels'.
Geography section,
All chapters are to be done thoroughly (some chapters of class X, i.e. 'Forest & Wildlife Resources' & 'Water Resource' were not part of CBSE Board evaluation, but has to be prepared for NTSE).
Civics section
All chapters of class IX and X are to be done (chapters which were omitted for the CBSE Board evaluation i.e. 'Democracy & Diversity' and 'Challenges to Democracy' needs to be done for NTSE Exam). Chapter of Class IX 'Democracy in the Contemporary World' and Class X 'Popular Struggle and Movement' should be our last priority
All Maps, diagrams, graphs given in the NCERT books must be thoroughly prepared
Economics section
All chapters need to be done (Consumer Rights chapter which was omitted from CBSE Board evaluation is to be done for NTSE exam).