Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A*STAR India Youth Scholarship 2013 - Syllabus, FAQ And More Takes

I've been receiving emails from parents and students alike, all further inquiries about Information regarding the Syllabus of the said Exam for the scholarship. I'd thought of making the questions public on my blog, for the better cause of reaching out further. 

FOR APPLICANTS READING THE POST, COULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME AT atharvjoshi@ymail.com SO I CAN KNOW ABOUT YOU AND KEEP YOU NOTIFIED?

More posts about Information on the A*STAR India Youth Scholarship 2013
2. Interview

Yes, being an A*STAR India scholar, I know the kind of secrecy maintained throughout the application and examination process. No word of what's gonna be tested, all applicants kept in relative darkness. I'd faced the same, and so did the my fellow rivals. On the internet, a 'google search' reveals n number of websites giving no useful information at all.

Before moving on, in lieu of the emails I've been receiving, let me make my stance on this clear:
I do not guarantee of the stuff that will be tested during the exams. I can only tell you what was tested for MY exam. I'm blogging about this just to ease the nervousness that an applicant faces. 

This nervousness stems from the secrecy I've mentioned about earlier. This sense of 'insecurity' is just one of the tricks up the authority's (read: S'pore MOE's) sleeve which gauges the levels of confidence the applicant has. So, prospective applicant: banish the nervousness away, and work towards your goal. Parents, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for your offspring to become independent and realize their potential.

Back to the post. Among the questions asked, I've compiled the questions and my replies, and condensed them into this post.

1. Guidance w.r.t studying for the written tests
A. I understand that very little concerning the 'syllabus' is revealed by the MOE. I've divided this query into the three tests:
 - General Ability Tests - 48 questions in 20 minutes
As I've previously stressed upon, if you've given a shot at the NTSE (which I believe almost all have) you should be well equipped, both mentally prepared and aware of the questions asked. These questions are MENSA-styled, asking you to complete the series shown with one of the shapes in the options. You need speed for this one, for this test comprises of 48 questions to be answered in about 20 minutes. Ensure that your answer sheet at the end of the exam is full, attempt all questions, even if it requires guessing.

 - Mathematics - 25-35 questions, 100 marks in about 3 hours
This test is the hardest. It is very difficult to ace all the questions. As far as I can remember, the bulk of this test is Algebra, and Algebraic Manipulation of Fractions, Word Problems and Expressions. Expect questions like Speed-Time Problems, making some variable the subject of some equation, Perimeter/Surface Area/Volume problems and more importantly - ensure knowledge of simple Trigonometric ratios. That's all I can recall. 

 - English - Comprehension + Composition, 100 marks in about 2.5 hours
The comprehension paper is like your school comprehension paper - some prose or poetry will be given and questions based on them will be asked. Not much I can help there. For composition however, I suggest developing your vocabulary - more importantly, using proper collocations and adjectives. I wrote an essay on - 'An idea deemed crazy that went on to change the world' or something on those lines. 

Bottomline - Speed, Quick Thinking required. Expect the unexpected. Tackle everything!
Prerequisites - Knowledge of NTSE, MENSA-styled 'Series' questions, Algebra upto Grade 9, Basic Trigonometric ratios and a sizable wordbank (vocabulary).

I'm afraid that's all the 'guidance' I can provide. Again, this is based on what was tested in my case. 

2. Reference/Coaching Classes
Another query is about what books to refer, and whether or not there are coaching classes for the tests.

I'm afraid I'm not aware of any such coaching classes. There were none in my case. However, if there are, go ahead, I'm not stopping you!

About the books to refer, I suggest obtaining any NTSE practice book and doing the Mental Ability Test (MAT) part. NCERT and ICSE Math textbooks will serve you good, I recommend books published by 'external' parties, such as the RD Sharma, S Chand, Manjit Singh etc brand of books. As long as they cover what I've written above, they should do fine. For the English test, internet has plenty of vocab building resources, and what better than free writing, such as blogging? Your vocabulary is yours to develop!

3. Other things to keep in mind
Well, be relaxed on the day of the tests. Be well armed with water and your inventory (stationery, whatever). You're going to enjoy your day at your exam centre (which would be a grand place too). Don't get too carried away by the introductory video they show you during your briefing before the tests, and at the same time don't get too overwhelmed by the details which they will provide you. There will be a form to fill out, followed by two briefings - one for the applicants and one for the parents, followed by the tests. Yes, there is a lunch break in between.

You can email me on atharvjoshi@ymail.com, or leave a comment below if you have any more queries or wish to ask me something more. I'll be happy to tell you about my experiences in Singapore as well!

Atharv

50 comments:

  1. THANKS,your ur information is very helpful. Can you tell me why you didnt send your form online instead of courier?My daughter is applying this year.

    ReplyDelete
  2. very very thank u !!!!! can u pls also tell how approx. how many children appear for this exam?

    ReplyDelete
  3. thanks!very useful information.
    could you tell if the exam will be objective or subjective?

    ReplyDelete
  4. i am giving this test on 2 sep 2012. i am uconfused what actually general ability means ? if i practise my class 9 icse book would that be enough for maths . is mental ability of ntse level ..
    plz.... answer it as early as possible . i am dying yo know

    ReplyDelete
  5. General ability is like they will give you a few questions with some pics you have to complete them. to practice i suggest a book named A modern approach to verbal and non verbal reasoning.
    http://www.flipkart.com/search/a/books?query=a+modern+approach+to+verbal+%26+non-verbal+reasoning&vertical=Books&dd=0&autosuggest%5Bas%5D=on&autosuggest%5Bas-submittype%5D=clicked&autosuggest%5Bas-grouprank%5D=1&autosuggest%5Bas-overallrank%5D=1&_r=n_2yuAC4xgh0SZTuulvAtw--&_l=Tnndui8JdMVk7CZmDKIfXQ--&ref=2e7ee0ae-5a4c-41e0-ae1a-bf9f6b8f4daa&selmitem= . I say that you should do basic stuff of 10th standard also as soon as possible. It will help alot if you revise everything of 8th and 9th before the exams. but be sure to study 10th standard book. Keep you're head cool on the exam day and
    Best of luck!
    Circuited.in

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanku very much .....

    ReplyDelete
  7. in english most probably an essay comes ( as told by previous students )

    ReplyDelete
  8. in english basically what all comes ?

    ReplyDelete
  9. i gave the test , chances of clearing : 50-50. maths was indeed a tough one.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Pl. inform that the date of test for 2012 - 13 examination. .........Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. ITS 2nd september.2012 did u gave the test?????

    ReplyDelete
  12. Are you in google+ or fb i wanted to know syllabus gona give exam next yr.
    My email add is nikirules11@yahoo.com. Or send on paaras12@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. NO THERE IS NO SPECIFIC SYLLABUS THAT MOE PROVIDES. ITS ALL BASICALLY CLASS 10 STANDAR AND HIGHER .

    ReplyDelete
  14. I know that but what sort of questions were asked to you.
    trigonometry, and all that

    ReplyDelete
  15. AS I REMEMBER, I WAS NOT ASKED ANY TRIGNOMETRY QUESTIONS ( BUT THE PREVIOUS STUDENTS WERE ASKED ) , MY PAPER MAJORLY COMPRISED OF SYMMETRY AND SIMILARITY . IT WAS A SUBJECTIVE. THERE WERE PROOVINGS ALSO . by the way u belong from which state. u are welcomed for all advices which i can provide

    ReplyDelete
  16. @saumyaagarwal:disqus I live in maharashtra I think It would be better not to flood up this place and talk in e-mail my e-mail account as i told you before is nikirules11@ymail.com and thanks for the advice seems like MOE changes the type of questions every year. Cause AJ wrote that time distance and area type questions But thanks anyways.

    ReplyDelete
  17. sir,
    thanks for this msg.
    my daughter doing 9th class this year 2012-2013.
    how can i apply for this?

    ReplyDelete
  18. I want to fill the form for the year 2013-14.
    Can you please tell me the procedure ?
    Please do suggest me some good competitive books.

    ReplyDelete
  19. thank you
    i want to ask that the exam is tough or not . and the course is till 9 and till 8 class

    ReplyDelete
  20. can U tell me some good books for the prepartion of this exam

    ReplyDelete
  21. i have applied for a-star youth scholarship for the year 2014 nd got a invitation to sit in exams............ pls. help me out i have many questions..

    ReplyDelete
  22. is it really tough for one to crack the examination ?????????

    ReplyDelete
  23. What was ur percentage?

    ReplyDelete
  24. If you have done what is written above it will be a breeze. keep ur calm during the exam. and mind telling when the exam is?

    ReplyDelete
  25. When did u get ur invite?

    ReplyDelete
  26. umm......
    the exam is on 31st of august nd i got the invitation from courier on 8th of august
    nd in 8th standard i got 87 %......... because of medical reasons i was not able to give my half yearly exams so i got a bit low percentage otherwise i m good enough in studies when compared to my classmates.......

    ReplyDelete
  27. I HAVEN'T GOT ANY INFO. ABOUT THE TEST....YET.
    HELP.!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. I hve my written test on 31 august...can I know that approximately how many students will appear for d test?

    ReplyDelete
  29. I gave the exam yesterday, maths was tough but mostly from 9th CBSE syllabus. During the briefing we were told about some expenses to be paid by parents (about 670 singapore dollars) per month which is quite high. I thought the scholarship was all expenses paid. can you clarify

    ReplyDelete
  30. and what about awards that u might have won like IMO NSO NCO etc.

    ReplyDelete
  31. IMO a couple of times.........

    ReplyDelete
  32. thanks atharva. Like they say that "Knowledge increases by sharing". we are planning to put our son through the exam. He is in std VII ICSE. like all others i wonder what course of preparation to be embarked upon. Your tips are very helpful indeed to make a beginning. lets see if i can scour the net for more info.

    ReplyDelete
  33. please tell if anyone gets' the letter for invitation for interview it would be a pleasure........

    ReplyDelete
  34. Actually, it's closer to 150-200 dollars per month. Initially, when you arrive in Singapore, you need to have some money for the obvious stuff like school clothes and books. So that itself is around 1000 dollars. And then you will naturally require some serious cash for flight tickets, something which the government isn't going to pay for since you aren't required to go back, rather, it is your choice to go back during a vacation. Hence, annually, your parents may have to fork out somewhere between 1500-2500 dollars, depending on what sort of flight you go in for, the number of clothes you buy, and the extra expenditure you incur due to partying :P

    ReplyDelete
  35. hello this year i am also applying for this scholarship do all students who has applied re selected for the selection test and do all questions come objective in maths test

    ReplyDelete
  36. hi Atharv! I heard that they donot disclose which school one would be places after selection. did it happen with you as well. how could you take that chance of reching singapore without knowing which school you will be studying in?

    ReplyDelete
  37. hi evryone. just want to knw how much a student will have to spend monthly after reaching singaporefor this scolarship? like excluding the scolarship money?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Has anybody received the invitation for writing the examination for the scholarship this year(2015)????..

    ReplyDelete
  39. till 15 august all participants will came to that they are shortlisted or not

    ReplyDelete
  40. Could anybody tell me the kind of questions that came last year and last to last year. Were they all from 9th class and higher syllabus

    ReplyDelete
  41. hi,
    1 have to appear for the written test on 2 sept in delhi
    can anyone tell me is there any subjective questions like prove.... in maths???

    ReplyDelete
  42. when are the results out

    ReplyDelete
  43. Has anybody received the mail inviting to give the interview(2015)
    Test was completed on Sept 2nd....

    ReplyDelete
  44. ello aspirants

    I'm Mukul Mehta and am also waiting for the Update..

    Has anybody received the mail inviting them to take the interview.

    Lets start a New Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages...

    For all aspirants to give updates on the scholarship..

    Thank you

    and lets keep ourselves updated.

    Mukul Mehta

    ReplyDelete
  45. is the result of written exam held this year i.e. 2 sept 2014 out or not?

    ReplyDelete
  46. any idea about the result?

    ReplyDelete
  47. When will they send the email for the exam ?

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi Atharv,
    I just want to know whether the Maths Test is MCQ or We will have to solve the questions as in our school exams.
    Pls reply soon.

    ReplyDelete