What is NSTSE?
The National Level Science Talent Search Examination or commonly known as NSTSE is a skill test conducted by the Unified Council, a professionally managed progressive organization, with its objective to identify and nurture the best brains of the country in the science discipline. Being a curriculum-based examination, the NSTSE critically assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses on the basis of concepts.
Unlike the regular examinations, NSTSE measures what and how well a student has understood the fundamentals instead of memorizing the existing facts. The Unified Council has been successfully conducting NSTSE in India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Indonesia, Oman, Kuwait, Russia, Nepal, Libya, Bahrain, Iran, and Tanzania. Since its inception in 1998, the Council has been working consistently towards testing and promoting talented young minds instilling a competitive spirit among them and ensuring their bright and enterprising future through tests like NSTSE.
NSTSE Advantages
It is a scientifically designed, skill-based assessment developed in India for Indian schools, after a detailed study of the syllabi of the Central and various State Boards. Rather than testing rote learning, it tests how well SKILLS and CONCEPTS underlying the school syllabus have been learnt by the student. The test provides information on the strengths and weaknesses of individual students and also of the entire class.
| FEATURE | ADVANTAGE |
| Skill-based. | Provides feedback on real learning & Relevant – actually tests what is being taught. |
| Provides a benchmark for students all over India. | Allows the student to know where he/she stands. |
| Provides detailed analysis and feedback. | Pinpoints areas of strengths and weaknesses. |
| Low cost. | Affordable, accessible to all students( through schools or individually). |
NSTSE Important Dates
| Events | Important Dates |
| Last Date for Receipt of Application Forms | 3 October 2020 |
| NSTSE Exam Schedule | 24-01-2021 (Sunday) and 31-01-2021 (Sunday) |
The exact date, schedule and procedure will be informed to the candidate 15 days before the exam.
NSTSE Eligibility
Students of classes I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI (PCM), XI (PCB), XII (PCM) and XII (PCB) can participate, provided their schools are registered with the NSTSE. However, individual entries are also accepted in case the school is not tied up with the NSTSE. The registration forms, prospectus and all other relevant details regarding the event are sent out to the registered schools.
Exam Fee Structure
- Rs. 354/- (Including GST)
Examination Fee + Student’s Performance Report (SPR) + 2 Previous Question Papers (PQP) – Downloadable Ebook + Success Series – Downloadable Ebook + Online payment service charges.
NSTSE Application Form
Individual Registration
The Unified Council accepts direct registration of the candidates. The candidates must register on the official website (https://www.unifiedcouncil.com/) of the Unified Council. The application form fee can be paid online through Netbanking/Debit/Credit Card.
Steps to Register on the official website;
- Visit the official website (https://www.unifiedcouncil.com/) of National Level Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE).
- Click on the tab which says “Click here for Online Registration of Individual Students for NSTSE, UIMO & UIEO (Academic Year 2020-21)”.
- Click on the link to Register.
- Select the class that you are studying from the list. The names of different olympiad examination appear on the screen.
- Select your option and click on continue.
- Enter your personal and school details in the space provided and click on submit.
- After the form is filled online payment can be made using NetBanking/Debit/Credit card.
- Download the application form preview for future reference.
Registration Through School
The school must send the name list of the students to the address of Unified Council, along with the Demand Draft by Courier Service/Register post/Speed post. The school must send a single consolidated Demand Draft for the application fee. The DD must be drawn in favour of Unified Council payable at Hyderabad.
NSTSE Syllabus
NSTSE Question Papers are suitable for students following CBSE / ICSE / ISC and various other State Board syllabi.
NSTSE Exam Pattern
There will be a different question paper for each class. All the questions are objective-type with no negative marking for wrong answers.
| CLASS 1 | CLASS 2 | CLASSES 3 TO 10 | |
| No.of Questions | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| Marks | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| Duration | 1 hour | ||
Division of Marks in the Question Paper:
Class I
| Mathematics | 15 |
| General Science | 25 |
| Total Number of Questions | 40 |
Class II
| Mathematics | 20 |
| Science | 30 |
| Total Number of Questions | 50 |
Class III to Class V
| Mathematics | 25 |
| General Science | 30 |
| Critical Thinking | 05 |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
Class VI to X
| Biology | 10 |
| Chemistry | 10 |
| Physics | 10 |
| Mathematics | 25 |
| Critical Thinking | 05 |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
Class XI and Class XII (PCM)
| Mathematics | 25 |
| Chemistry | 15 |
| Physics | 15 |
| Critical Thinking | 05 |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
Class XI and Class XII (PCB)
| Biology | 25 |
| Chemistry | 15 |
| Physics | 15 |
| Critical Thinking | 05 |
| Total Number of Questions | 60 |
NSTSE Results And Ranking
The performance of a participant is gauged on the basis of his individual score compiled in a Student Performance Report (SPR). The SPR provides a detailed analysis of strong and weak areas of the student along with the performance comparison at school, state, and national level. Consolidated reports per subject and class are sent to the schools. The NSTSE results are also made available at its official website.
NSTSE Scholarships
National Toppers
The top 100 rankers are declared as ALL INDIA achievers. The student who achieves the highest percentage of marks among all classes is the NSTSE topper and is awarded Rs 2,00,000 cash prize if he/she scores 100% marks or else they are given Rs 1,00,000 cash prize. The top rankers of each class are given a laptop, memento and a medal. Ranks 4 to 10 of each class are awarded a cash prize of Rs.3000 and ranks 11 to 40 are given a cash prize of Rs.1000.
Rankers 41 to 100 of each class are awarded BMA’s Talent & Olympiad Exams Resource Book from M/s. Brain Mapping Academy, each. Apart from this, all the 100 toppers are awarded Olympiad Coach Online Subscription worth Rs. 1198, a Medal and a Certificate of Appreciation.
State Toppers
State Toppers are declared excluding the top 100 national toppers. Top 3 rankers from each state are awarded a special award for encouragement and Olympiad Coach Online Subscription worth Rs. 1198, and a Certificate of Appreciation.
City Toppers
City Toppers are declared only for classes having the participation of more than 500 students.
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