The National Standard Examination in Chemistry is jointly administered by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education and the Indian Association of Physics Teachers. The exam is held every year in November, and it is administered at different locations. The National Science Education Centre promotes and encourages interest in chemistry. The NSEC recognises students’ accomplishments based on their exam results. This exam is for students who desire to pursue chemistry and want to obtain knowledge of the topic while studying for the exam by completing a self-assessment. Students who pass this exam will be eligible to compete in the INCO (Indian National Chemistry Olympiad).
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Aim of Exam
The main aim of the exam is to create a national and international platform for students who wish to compete in the field of Chemistry. This exam acts as a window of opportunity to pursue a career in chemical science.
Examination Pattern
IAPT conducts NSEC across the country every November. NSEC recognises student potential and works to bring it to the attention of a worldwide audience. It’s the first step toward competing in the International Chemistry Olympiad. The NSEC is held in several cities across India. Pupils in the 12 and 11 grades are eligible to take the exam. The pattern of the examination is discussed below.
Syllabus
The National Standard Examination in Chemistry syllabus is roughly equal to CBSE chemistry at the senior secondary level (Classes XI and XII). This is simply a general guideline; NSEC does not provide a complete syllabus.
Question Paper Pattern
The test consists of 80 multiple-choice questions, each with four options and only one correct answer. The exam will be conducted in English. The exam duration is two hours.
|
Class |
Number of Questions |
Marks Per Question |
Total Marks |
|
11 |
36 |
3 |
108 |
|
12 |
44 |
3 |
132 |
|
Total |
80 |
240 |
|
The details of the examination are given below.
| General Exam Timings | 11.00 am to 1.00 pm |
| Duration of Exam | Two hours |
| Test Paper Level/Syllabus | CBSE Class 12 syllabus for Chemistry |
| Test Medium/Language | English and Hindi (as chosen during the registration process). |
| Type of Questions | Multiple-choice Questions |
| Total Number of Questions | 80 |
| Total Marks | 240 |
| Marking Scheme | 3 marks are awarded for each question, and in case of an incorrect answer, one mark is deducted. |
Benefits of NSEC Exam
The top 1% of students who pass the NSEC exam are invited to compete in the Indian National Chemistry Olympiad. The examination’s theoretical portion takes place in the last week of January. The top 30 students in each class are chosen to attend the International Chemistry Olympiad Training Camp. Listed below are a few more benefits
- A student gets exposure to participate and get in touch with other students across the nation
- This exam gives an opportunity to move to the international platform and compete at a global level
- Students can gain fast career growth opportunities, which helps to upgrade their soft skills.
Tricks to Crack the Exam
The preparation methods and study habits play a vital role in clearing the olympiad exams. Reading NSEC important topics is not enough. Listed below are a few points that one can adopt for an easy and smooth study process for the chemistry olympiad.
- Get well versed with the syllabus and topics mentioned in the curriculum
- Early preparation is always the best while taking a competitive exam
- Refer to the official website for updates regarding the examination
- Go through the NSEC previous years’ question papers and solve practice papers
- Try to get into a course online or offline that focuses on this exam
- Get thorough knowledge of volatile topics in chemistry, such as organic chemistry
- Read, learn, revise and solve more to gain a grip over the subject
- Revision helps to enrich the subject knowledge in depth
Frequently Asked Questions on NSEC Exam Pattern
What is the importance of the NSEC Examination?
What is the next step after NSEC?
Where can one find the NSEC application form?
Every year, during the month of September (except this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic), the NSEC application form is accessible both online and offline. For the above-mentioned time period, the NSEC application form will be accessible at each NSEC centre. Please follow the instructions below to obtain your own copy of the NSEC application form:
- The first step is to find the nearest NSE Centre. Over the last few years, IAPT has opened over a thousand centres around the country. Each centre’s name, address, and phone number are included in a PDF file.
- Filling out the NSEC application form is the second step.
- One can get the NSEC application form from the Centre Coordinator and fill it out.</div>
