With 10th-grade exams approaching, students are likely to begin searching and/or preparing for competitive exams such as JEE, NEET, and NTSE. Completion of class 10th is a gateway to a new journey in life for students as they pick specific study fields that they are interested in.
In a country like India, it’s a cliché to opt for medical and engineering courses. NEET (National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test) and JEE (Joint Entrance Examination) are the most popular entrance exams that millions of students prepare for each year, to get into leading undergraduate medical and engineering colleges/institutions across India.
But the fact is that there are various other competitive exams as well, that students can choose after class 10th. In the past, CBSE has burdened students with carrying out a variety of tests all year round. But the entrance tests conducted by different authorities now serve to eliminate those tests. NEET doesn’t test your aptitude for medicine; nor does JEE judge a student’s potential for engineering. Competitive exams help children to focus on what they prefer.
Now, there are plenty of options available for you. There was a time when students used to focus only on one or two entrance exams to get admission to the college of their choice due to difficulty in managing regular classes and coaching.
Thankfully, with the advent of different digital learning platforms like live interactive classes, recorded video lectures, e-books, online tests, webinars, etc, students can now prepare for various competitive exams after class 10 as well as for their board exams.
This has also encouraged students to look beyond a few career-oriented entrance exams and try their luck in other competitive exams after class X like NTSE, INMO, etc. There are several competitive exams students aim for, after class 10th, few of them include:
National Talent Search Examination or NTSE:
This has always been an influential and prestigious program of India conducted by NCERT at the high school level to identify and recognize students with high intellect and academic talent. It’s a national-level scholarship program that requires students to go beyond books and explore different options to prepare thoroughly to score high in the exam.
Approximately, about 9-10 lakhs students of Class 10th appear for this scholarship exam every year from all the states and union territories of India. Only 4500 candidates are selected in the 1st stage of the exam and thus for Stage 2 of the exam, students have to strive harder to ace the exam. From attending regular coaching to live online classes, taking practice tests, and watching recorded videos, students leave no stone unturned to ace the exam.
Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO):
The INMO is conducted by the MO CELL (Mathematical Olympiad Cell), which is held on the third Sunday of January at 30 centers across the country. It is a High School Mathematics Competition held annually in India, since 1989. This program aims at promoting excellence in science and mathematics among students at the school level. Olympiads involve a five-stage procedure; The first stage for each subject is organized by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) in collaboration with teacher associations in other subjects.
Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF):
SOF is an examination originated by a non-profit organization that was established to promote science, mathematics, introductory computer education, and English language skills amongst school children in India. This Olympiad is for the students of class I to XII, having different exam papers for each class.
The question paper consists of 35 multiple choice questions of 40 marks, for classes I to IV, and 50 multiple choice questions, for classes V to XII of 60 marks, to be answered within an hour. Students who have a deep interest in Science and want financial aid to achieve their goals can prepare for this competitive exam.
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET):
NEET is one of the most competitive entrance exams in India. This entrance exam is organized by CBSE for admissions to MBBS or BDS Courses in India. Candidates start preparing for the exam after the 10th to get admission in medical or dental colleges approved by the Medical Council of India or the Dental Council of India under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The Medical Council of India (MCI) prescribes the syllabus for the NEET exam every year that contains questions from Physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Students can opt for online NEET coaching to start preparing for the exam along with their regular school classes.
Joint Entrance Examination (JEE):
JEE is an engineering entrance exam organized for students to apply to various engineering colleges in India. The exam is conducted in two parts: JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The second phase of the exam, JEE Advanced, is regarded internationally as one of the most challenging undergraduate admission tests.
The first stage is JEE-Main and those who qualify can appear for the JEE-Advanced examination. Students who want to make their career as an engineer can start preparation of JEE after class 10th.
Common-Law Admission Test (CLAT):
CLAT is an all-India common entrance examination, conducted on a rotational basis by 19 National Law Universities (NLUs) for admissions to their UG and PG degree programs. First, an entrance test is conducted, and later students are provided with the list of candidates on the basis of ‘Merit-Cum- Preference’ to each University for admission to their Undergraduate (UG)/Postgraduate (PG) programs.
Though students can appear for the exam only after receiving their class XII results, they can start preparation for the exam immediately after class 10th.
Also published on Medium.