NTSE now for Class 10

Changes in NTSE

From this year the NCERT will conduct the National Talent Search Examination for students studying in Class 10th only.

No. of Scholarships: On the basis of the examination conducted, 1000   scholarships will be awarded for group of students appearing for Class 10th, in all over India.

Reservation: 15 % scholarships will be reserved for students belonging to the SC category, 7.5% scholarships for students belonging to the ST category.

Scholarship: Awardees of NTS Examination will receive a sum of Rs. 500/- per month as per NCERT rules.

Selection: There will be two-stage selection process for award of scholarship. (a) Stage – I, selection will be done by States / UTs through a written examination. Students who qualify Stage I will be eligible (b) Stage II examination conducted by NCERT.

Important Dates : Dates of submission of Applications Forms and Conduct of examination are given below :

Stage	Area	Dates
Stage I (State)	Last Date for Submission of Application Form	31st August, 2012
	Examinations date in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar Islands	17th November 2012
	Examination date in All other states and Union Territories	18th November 2012 (Sunday)
Stage II (National)	Examination date in All States and Union Territories	12th May 2013 (Sunday)

Eligibility  : Students of Class 10th studying in recognized schools are eligible to appear for the respective Class 10th Stage I examination conducted by the State/UTs in which the schools are located. There will be no domicile restriction.

Examination : The pattern of written examination for Class 10th will be as follows :-

• Stage I examination at the State/UT level will comprise two parts, namely (a) Mental Ability Test (MAT) and (b) Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) covering social sciences, sciences and mathematics.

• Stage II examination at the National Level will comprises

1. Mental Ability Test (MAT) 90 Marks.
2. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) covering social sciences (35 Marks), sciences (35 marks) and Mathematics (20 marks).
3. Detailed scheme of marks will be as follows :

• sciences :- History 10 marks, Geography 10 marks, Political science 10 marks, Economics 05 marks, 

• Science – Physics 12 marks, Chemistry 11 marks, Biology 12 marks.
  

How much to sleep

Sleep is essential. During sleep, your body recuperates (repairs itself). You also dream while sleeping. Many scientists say that it is during dreams that the whole day’s memory is recognized in the brain.

The time a person requires to sleep varies. Some people require more than 8 to 10 hours of sleep while others may need just 5 or 6 hours. Sleeping between 4 to 10 hours is normal. Most people sleep between 6 to 8 hours a day.

While too little sleep may make you feel restless, too much sleep can make you feel lazy. If you sleep well, you will feel energized on waking up and ready for a new day. 

You can do the following to get good sleep:

•     Keep your room quiet and dark. If you do not have a separate room, you may not be able to do this. At least, you can request the other members of your family to try to be quiet.

•     Eat less of sugar, salt, fats (oils and ghee), difficult-to-digest foods, especially at night.

•     Take time to slow down. If you are doing something very active and suddenly you go to bed, you may not get sleep. So spend the last hour or so doing relatively unstressful activities.

•     Try to go to bed at the same time every night.

How do you know that the amount of sleep that you got is sufficient?

If after eight hour of sleep, you still feel drowsy, this means that you need more sleep. Once you have understood the exact amount of sleep that you need, ensure that you get it – at any cost. The cost of lack of  sleep, outweighs any possible benefits (such as more time to study etc). If your answer to any one of the following is a yes, you may be suffering from lack of complete sleep.

1.   Feel drowsy during the day.

2.   When you are bored, you got to sleep

3.   Feel tired most of the time

4.   Cannot concentrate most of the time

5.   Feel anxious most of the time

6.   Don’t feel alert

7.   Low energy levels during the day.

Remember we had discussed before that sleep is a necessary ingredient for almost all mental faculties including:

1.   Memory

2.   Creativity

3.   Problem solving skills

4.   Retention

Sleeping for a little while (half an hour to over one hour) during day time is of great value. An afternoon nap means two fresh mornings in 24 hours. After you have studied for 5-6 hours, the brain is swimming with facts, a nap of 30-45 minutes is required to recharge the brain. For example, you can sleep when you come back from school. This will make you fresh again. So, you can study more efficiently in evening and night.

Try it for sometime and if you like it, continue.

Nature of Memory Recall | Key Concepts / Key Words

Get ready for a small exercise: Describe any book you have read, or any place you have visited, or any film or TV program you have watched. Close your eyes and do it for about 2 minutes.People do not tell word-for-word for what happened. What they remember is main features, outlines, main incidents of film. These are key words of key concepts. 

You remember things as key words and key concepts rather than word-for-word details and word-for-word descriptions. This is the very nature of your memory.

Use the following guidelines while drawing or writing a mind map.

•    Use a key word or key phrase at the centre. 

•    Then draw lines from the centre.

•    On each line, write key words in CAPITAL letters. Use of capital letters helps in revision and memory.

•    Use only one word per line. This makes it easy to make connections.

•    Let ideas flow. Do not try to “think” hard. Just write down whatever comes to your mind. The aim is to write everything that your mind thinks about the central idea. Since your mind thinks faster than you can write, you should not pause or stop momentarily. Just keep writing or drawing.

Mind maps use only key words and key concepts while linear notes use complete sentences and paragraphs. The key words and key concepts use only 20% of the words. So, if you use linear notes, you waste time in writing those 80% additional words, and more importantly, you waste time in reading those 80% additional words every time you revise. In linear notes, you waste time searching for the key words because they are mixed up with non-key words.

The mind map has the following additional advantages :

•    Mind map clearly shows the central idea of lesson.

•    The relative importance of any idea is clearly shown: the ideas nearer to the centre are more important.

•    The links or connections between key ideas are clearly shown.

•    The nature of the structure makes it easy to add new information without scratching or writing in small letters.

•    Each mind map looks different from others- it helps memory.

When you use mind map notes, you do not have to worry about the problems usually associated with linear notes such as: order, sequence, emphasis of ideas, beginning, ending, organization etc. These problems are simply eliminated in the mind map technique.

Exercise : Spend 15 minutes and prepare your own mind map notes for this book.

Importance of Notes

Why should you make notes : Some of the advantage of making notes are :

•    Making notes while attending the class help you concentrate better in the class.

•    Notes making also aid in improving the retention. They help in transferring information from short term to long term memory.

•    Notes helps in revising the contents of the lecture faster. Research says that with the help of personalised notes you can revise a chapter 10 times faster than revising directly from the book.

The Amount of  Notes to Take

There is no limit to the amount of notes to take down. The amount will depend on;

•    The content of the lecture : If the lecture deals with solid facts, laws and principles. It may necessitate a great quantity of notes

•    How familiar you are with the topic: The less familiar you are with the subject, more detailed notes you require. If you are familiar, just an outline of the lecture will suffice

•    Whether the information is readily available in a text- book or else where: If no other source is readily available , complete notes will have to be taken down

Cornell Notes

Cornell Notes is a system of making and using notes that promotes active learning. Before the lecture (or reading) you set up your notebook pages with a vertical line dividing the page roughly 1/4 (left) and 3/4 right. The wider right side is used to make notes, draw graphs and record the important information from the lecture or reading. It’s a good idea to leave a line or two between each major note or piece of information. The left column is used to write questions and keywords that relate to the information recorded on the right. Each major point on the right ought to have a question or keyword on the left. 

Depending on the speed of the professor and the amount of information that needs recording in the right column, you may or may not have time to write the questions and keywords in the left column. If you do, that’s great. If you don’t, then you should fill in the left column as soon as possible, and for sure before the end of the day. The questions and keywords serve an important function. You will be using these to remember the key points in the right column during several practice sessions. 

Once you have the questions and keywords in the left column, you are ready to do a practice session. Use a blank sheet of paper to cover the right column. Now, without peeking, look at the questions and keywords on the left and try to remember the information on the right. Say the answers to yourself, or write them down on the blank sheet. Don’t just say to yourself, “I know that...” You want to be able to repeat or paraphrase the information on the right with good accuracy. If it is information that needs to be perfect (e.g., a formula), then that is what you want. However, if it is information that is more general, then an accurate paraphrase is probably better. Your first practice session should be as soon as possible, ideally right after class if you have a spare period, or in your first break. If you wait too long, you will find that you can’t remember much of the information in the right column. If that’s the case, then you waited too long. As you practice, Keep Score. If you remembered the information accurately and without peeking, then give yourself a tick (check mark) under the question or keyword on the left. If you had to peek or didn’t remember the information very well, give yourself an “X.” 

Spider Notes

This is one of the most effective ways of note making. The final notes should always be in condensed form, at the same time they should include all the important information so as to help in subsequent and final revision before exams.

In spider notes, the primary idea is placed in the centre of the page so that the secondary and tertiary ideas can follow quickly and easily facilitate a harmonious thought process. 

Advantages of Spider Notes over Linear Notes

1.    About 60% time is saved by noting only the relevant words.

2.    About 80% time is saved by reading only relevant words.

3.    About 80% revision time is saved.

4.    About 85% time is saved by not having to search for keywords amongst unnecessary verbiage.

5.    Essential key words are more easily discernible.

6.    Concentration on main issue is enhanced.

7.    Quick and appropriate association is made between the keywords.

8.    The brain finds it easier to accept and remember visually stimulating, multidimensional spiders, rather than monotonous, boring linear notes.

Where to study

You may think that the physical condition of work such as the room furniture, lighting and ventilation are relatively unimportant. They do help you to concentrate better and work effectively. Research shows that students who habitually work in libraries do better than those who do not. The sight of others working simultaneously gives encouragement to work harder. Your behavior is disciplined and distraction from other sources is minimal. Keep following things in mind while planning where to study.

•Does your study area receive adequate light? Incorrect placement of the light source, excessive and insufficient light can cause eye strain. 

•  Does your study area receive adequate ventilation? Lack of circulating air can make you sleepy. In a room where there is inadequate circulation, the concentration of carbon dioxide increases. As a result, the brain does not receive a sufficient supply of oxygen and one tends to feel sleepy. Inadequate oxygen also causes poor concentration.

•  Does your study area offer space and comfort? You need a clear desk for writing and a comfortable chair for reading. Don’t get too comfortable. While studying, sit in an upright position. Do not slouch over your books while  reading or writing. It would be ideal to have a small shelf within arm’s reach, from your study table. 

•    Is there a lot of clutter on your study table? Keep your workspace neat. In addition, keep relevant stationary, such as paper and pen, at hand so that you don’t have to get up every five minutes to look for something. Ensure that you have sufficient space while writing. 

•    Are there too many distractions? Loud music, the blaring TV and people talking loudly can distract you. Control the noise level around your study area. Do friends distract you easily? Learn to say ‘no’ to your friends. However, if you cannot say ‘no’ easily, you can try hiding from them. 

Remember, hiding is not a permanent solution and is not recommended as a normal practice. Don’t answer phone calls while studying, most calls can wait.

The Right Time to Study

No definite part of the day can be said to be the ideal time for studying. Some may be mentally alert in the mornings, while others may prefer evenings or night . Research, however, shows that mental output is higher in the morning than in the evening or at night. Your mind will be fresh after a good eight hour sleep . So the morning hours are the most valuable and best time for serious work. Do not fritter away your morning hours. Organize your work like ironing and laying out your clothes for the next day, the night before. Keep together your books, files and papers required for work, in order, the previous night, This way you start your day with a flying start and will not end up wasting your morning time.

In addition to your regular scheduled sessions, it is good to make use of odd moments for other purposes. Every subject includes a certain amount of rote learning like formulas, vocabulary, laws etc. Write down these on small cards or on a small note-pad. 

They can be learnt while waiting for others, for a bus or in the canteen. It is useful to carry a text book to glance at while traveling in a bus or waiting for someone. These are useful supplements and help to keep your brain ‘ set’ for information relating to your subject.

NEW IIT JEE Pattern- 2013 (JEE Mains and JEE Advanced)

The new pattern of the engineering entrances will be implemented from 2013 and will have a common exam for the IITs, National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and other central educational institutions, merging the JEE and AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Examination). Here are its salient features:

* There will be two exams, the joint entrance examination, JEE "main" followed by the JEE "advanced".

*Eligibility for appearing in IIT JEE exam to be changed from current 60% marks to percentile rank. Joint Admission Board ( JAB) has to release the cut-off rank after declaration of boards result.

* These combine the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) and the IIT-JEE, with the "main" exam being equivalent to AIEEE, and "advanced" being equivalent to the IIT-JEE.

 

* Only top 150,000 candidates (including all categories) from the JEE "main" will be qualified to appear in the JEE "advanced" examination. 

 

* However, only students who come in among the top 20 percent scorers in their respective board will be considered eligible for the IITs.

* The "advanced" exam will be held by the IITs, just like the IIT- JEE. It will be conducted by a Joint Admission Board (JAB) and Joint Implementation Committee of the IITs, the same which so far conducted the JEE.

* Admission to IITs will be based on the rank in the "advanced" exam.

* The JEE "main" will be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education ( CBSE), and it will coordinate with the IITs. It will be implemented from 2013. 

* Admission to the National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) will be based on the "main" exam score.

* Admission to several deemed universities will also be on the basis of scores in the "main" exam, which earlier took students on basis of AIEEE scores. A minimum percentage criterion will be fixed for these too.

How to Relax?

One of the most common problems during studies is severe anxiety or nervousness. The result of the exam can totally change your future and so the very process of preparing for them can be a stressful experience. Delay in preparation schedule; inability to solve problem or even few hours waste of time can lead to anxiety and create stress which can adversely affect your studies, so it is very important to learn how to manage stress or anxiety.

Even famous people do it

I still remember a video clipping of a famous singer that I saw on TV years ago. The camera had been following him around while he went to rehearsal, got made-up and talked with his manager.

 

The scene I remember most was the shot of him as he waited backstage for his name to be announced. Now, remember, this was a man who had been doing stage shows for decades. You could hear the audience: It was excited to be in his presence. It was friendly. And he looked nervous, horrified, petrified, regretful that he’d ever entered show business and extremely vulnerable. (Presuming he remembered he was being filmed, this was the controlled panic.)

But, when the announcer called his name and the roar of applause began, he was transformed. He walked with a determined gait to the stage, the lights hit him, he smiled and took the microphone, the band began and he never looked back. His famous voice filled the auditorium, and the audience went wild. If he could face such regular panic attacks and still passed the test, why shouldn’t you?

Remember that a certain level of anxiety is also good and must for you to have a faster learning. Remember a certain level of anxiety can enable you to be more alert, attentive and to concentrate more fully. It can sharpen your exam performance; make you feel more full of energy; cause you to work at the most effective speed and be more attentive to detail. So achieving optimum arousal (anxiety) is the key to success. But the moment the anxiety level becomes higher and it starts disabling it is the time to take an immediate corrective measures.

It is a natural human reaction to worry at times during your studies. It is also natural to express an emotional reaction to the ups and downs of tackling tasks: angry or frustrated at one time, exhilarated at another. The ideas in this book are intended to help you avoid becoming locked into a state of anxiety, where your interaction with exams, tests and course deadlines (the potential ‘stressors’) results in an unhelpful stress reaction in you. This is the type of anxiety state which feels disabling.

Before we learn how to handle stress & anxiety, let us understand what are the signs and symptoms of stress?

•     Your heart beats at an accelerated rate.

•     Your breathing rate increases.

•     Your body sweats.

•     Your mind becomes agitated and you feel restless.

•     Your stomach feels queasy. In other words you feel butterflies in your stomach.

You can control these problems by training your mind and body to relax on command. In relaxation you are really training to control the functions of your mind.

Relaxation Techniques : You can relax while sitting on a chair, lying on a bed or stretched out on a comfortable spot. To relax focus on your breathing first, close your eyes and listen to the sound as air flows in and out. As you breath your belly should be moving in and out. Next start counting one to ten, on your inhalations and saying to yourself “relax” in your mind. Continue this process until you feel quiet and your mind is focussed and undisturbed by fleeting thoughts. The idea behind counting is to shut your mind from other thoughts and not to be disturbed. 

Palming : Close your eyes and keep your open palm  pressed against your eyes. Hold this position for 5-10 minutes every day. You will feel the heat being transferred to your eyes . Do this exercise regularly every day or pressing a folded cloth to your mouth, blow air into the cloth so that it becomes warm. Press the cloth against your eyes.

When ever you are tensed or anxious, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Slowly breath out Do this about ten times and watch the difference. This should calm your nerves and reduce your anxiety.

Other methods for Reducing Anxiety

•    Self-Assertion - Do a realistic review of the situation, and decide on a course of action and carry it out; assert yourself, take charge of your life.

•    Sleep habits - In order to get more time to study several students sacrifice their normal sleep. Occasional loss of sleep may not affect your thinking but loss of sleep over a longer period can create stress. Do not carry your problems and anxieties to bed. They will leave you mentally sluggish the next morning. Cultivate methods that enable you to get enough good sleep.

•    Relaxation - Practice physical and mental relaxation exercises.

•    Quiet time - Cultivate and then use a “quiet time” to review your situation, to compose yourself, and to prepare for a project or situation for the day.

•    Friends - Talk to one or two friends a day, for support and encouragement, to renew your self-confidence and morale.

•    Consultation - Help yourself by seeking consultation with peers, instructors, or professional counselors. 

Practice to relax every day: The more you practice, the better you will be able to relax. Practice to relax for five minutes at the beginning. Plan to have at least 3 relaxation periods each day, of five minutes duration. On very busy days, do not be tempted to do away with the practice totally. It is more important to relax on these busy days.

Remember, anxiety affects people of all abilities. Among the students I have met who are most anxious about their examinations are large numbers who have gained very good marks.

The two-sided brain

The left side has responsibility for –

•     logical reasoning and analysis,

•     things that occur in sequences,

•     numbers and mathematical ability,

•     language and verbal skills,

•     linear thinking.

The right side has responsibility for –

•     creativity,

•     intuition,

•     imagination and daydreaming,

•   random, unordered thinking, or in other words thinking out of box, crossing the traditional boundaries and thinking something new.

Note : Engineers and lawyers are “left-brained” people, while artists an poets are “right-brained.”

But most of us have our left side brain to be dominant and this is due to too much emphasis of our education system on concrete empirical values and proofs which makes the left side dominant. This is the reason why most of us are poor in creativity.