Completed class 10? Congratulations on reaching your first academic milestone! Now, what’s next?
As you step into the bigger world following a long journey at secondary school, the market will welcome you with an array of options. Higher secondary streams, competitive exams, scholarships and a lot more add to that list. What’s on your mind?
I believe if you have opened this article, you’re interested to know the list of competitive exams after 10th. Great decision, we have your back! In this article, we will talk about the different competitive exams available for 10th pass students and guide you to help you make a decision.
Sounds interesting? Excellent! Read on!
Competitive Exams vs Entrance Exams
Before having a look at the competitive exams after 10th, you need to understand the fine difference between a competitive exam and an entrance exam. Both of them seem similar, however there’s a thin line between the two.
Precisely, an entrance exam is about providing you admission in your desired college or university. Competitive exams, on the other hand, are about having exposure, gaining a certificate or medal or to apply for scholarships.
Long thing short: all entrance exams are competitive, all competitive exams are not entrance.
For example, when students opt for JEE or NEET after their 12th, that’s an entrance exam to secure a place in any top government college. Again, if a student sits for an Olympiad, say Indian National Olympiad, that’s a competitive exam. They’ll try to get the scholarship and secure their future academic goals.
You can go for an entrance exam after 10th or choose to sit in a competitive examination. Without any more delay, we will move straight to the list of competitive exams after 10th.
List of Competitive Exams After 10th
The following list covers a comprehension guide on the competitive exams for class 10. I hope this will provide you with a fine understanding.
1. National Level Science Talent Search Exam (NSTSE)
The NSTSE is among the popular government competitive exams after 10th. The Unified Council conducts this exam to test the aspirants on their understanding of Mathematics and Science. This exam is available for any students between class 2 and class 10. Even 11th grade students with PCM or PCB stream, are eligible to go for it. The test has a duration of 60 minutes.
If Science is your thing, you must consider taking this test. The prize money will leave your mouth open in surprise and excitement! Yes, for the student who scores 100% is awarded with 2 lakhs rupees!
You heard it right. If there are more than one student to score 100%, the prize money is evenly distributed among the winners. If someone hasn’t scored 100%, the next highest scorer is awarded the prize.
2. Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INO)
The Mathematical cell of the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education conducts this exam for Maths aspirants. It is among the popular competitive exams in India, that opens the doors to the aspirants to pursue a career in mathematics.
This is the third stage of the six-phase maths exam and you’re eligible for INO only after clearing the first two stages. Clearing this test will clear your way to secure a place in the Chennai Mathematical Institute in your undergraduate. Moreover, if you’re interested to apply for Statistics or Maths in the Indian Statistical Institute later, you’ll have a direct interview round without taking the institute entrance.
3. Geoscience Olympiad
This exam is conducted by the Geological Society of India. It’s a national level exam for student in Class 10 and 12. The exam is conducted in three parts —- theory, practical and a field trip. The exam aims to identify and acknowledge students with exceptional knowledge in the field of Geology and Earth Science.
4. Kishore Vigyan Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)
One of the popular competitive exams after 10th, is the KVPY. The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, conducts and funds this program and is noted as the ongoing National Program of Fellowship in basic sciences.
If you’re a science buff and willing to explore the basic science courses or the research domain in this field, this scheme might be the perfect fit for you.
5. National Interactive Math Olympiad
Another one in the list of competitive exams after 10th, is the National Interactive Math Olympiad. The Edubeal Foundation conducts this exam in three levels: national, international and sponsored. Level one is paper based for students between class 1 and 3, whereas for students between grades 4 and 12 must take it online.
Successful students or school toppers are eligible for level 2 and winners of this level have a chance to participate in level 3. If you’re interested in Maths and willing to unveil the unending scope across levels, consider taking this; one of the highly sought after competitive exams for class 10th students.
6. Science Olympiad Foundation
The next one among the competitive exams after 10th is the Science Olympiad Foundation. The foundation aims to search talents across the disciplines of English, Science, Maths, etc and conducts six national level Olympiads every year for school students.
The exams included are:
- National Science Olympiad
- National Cyber Olympiad
- International General Knowledge Olympiad
- International English Olympiad
- International Mathematics Olympiad
- International Commerce Olympiad
So, whether you’re a science buff, a commerce lover or interested in English, this foundation gives you an amazing chance to explore your choice.
7. Indian Navy Entrance
One of the prestigious posts is to be a part of the Indian Navy and passing class 10 opens the door to sit for the Matric Recruit or MR exam. You’re eligible for the Indian Navy MR, provided you had your class 10th from a recognised board.
Ensuring your position will need you to adhere to certain medical requirements that you can check on their official website.
8. NEET
NEET or National Eligibility Test is an entrance exam for students who wish to get into medical schools. The preparation starts after Class 10. The exam is conducted by NTA and selected students can get admission to colleges offering MBBS, AYUSH, BVSc and AH courses. The exam consists of questions from physics, chemistry, botany and zoology.
9. JEE
JEE or Joint Entrance Examination is a competitive exam for admission to IITs and NITs. The exam is conducted by National Testing Agency. Students who qualify in the JEE Main can appear for the JEE Advanced exam for admission to any of the 23 IITs in India. The competition is tough and so students need to start preparing for the exam after their Class 10.
Popular Scholarship Exams after 10th
Now, let’s have a quick glance at some of the popular Scholarship competitive exams after 10th.
1. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE):
It is one of the most prestigious scholarship exams in India and it is conducted in two stages: stage 1 (state) and stage 2 (national). The state conducts the level 1 whereas NCERT conducts level 2.
2. National Means Cum Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
To be eligible for this scholarship, the student’s parental income must be less than INR 3.5L per year and they must have a minimum of 55 % marks in 7th grade exam for appearing for this competitive exam after 10th.
3. INSPIRE Scholarship
In this scholarship, students will be financially supported in learning courses after 10th. Students must have completed their 12th examinations and must be pursuing a career in Basic and Natural Sciences.
4. National Scholarship Exam (NSE)
It is a national level exam for any student studying from 5th to 12th grade in any board. Students pursuing a degree or diploma from any university are also eligible to write this 100 mark paper.
5. Maulana Azad National Scholarship
Students getting scholarships from any other source cannot apply for this scholarship.This scholarship is only open to girls studying in grades 11th and 12th and with annual family income below 1 Lakh INR.
6. Aakash National Talent Hunt Exam (ANTHE)
This national scholarship exam helps students fulfil their dreams by providing up to 100% Scholarship. To be eligible, students must be studying in classes from 7th to 12th. This scholarship examination requires zero registration fees.
7. Amar Ujala Scholarship
This scholarship is specially designed for students in government institutions and with annual family income below 1.5L INR to be able to study courses after 10th. To be eligible, the student must have secured at least 60% marks in the last annual examination and must be studying in 9th to 12th grade.
8. National Talent Search Exam (NTSE)
This national level examination is conducted by the NCERT and grants scholarships for brilliant students to help them study further courses after 10th. Only 10th standard students are eligible and the examination is held in two stages.
9. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards
This annual scholarship competitive examination invites students to broadcast their creative and innovative ideas. The useful and practical ideas will be given due credit and will be financially supported by the organisations, including creating a free patent for the idea on the student’s name.
How to Prepare for Competitive Exams After 10th?
If you’re wondering how to start my competitive exam preparation, we will help you. Here are a few basic yet effective tips that will help you to Ace the examination with grace.
- Know the syllabus in detail: You can’t start preparing for the prestigious competitive exams after 10th, without having an idea about the syllabus. So, make sure to have a clear understanding of it, the in-detail concepts and the modules linked with every topic. This will aid your preparation.
- Follow previous year question papers: Following previous question sets will give you a fair idea about the kind of questions asked in the exam. It’ll implore you to focus on the usual topics that have high chances to be present in the question paper.
- Follow practice sets: There’s no alternative to practice. Give as many mock tests as you can, solve test papers and take test series. This will prepare you for the final showdown and solid- proof your preparation for a stellar performance inside the exam hall.
Everything else will fall in place if you’re keeping these things in check. Maintaining a healthy diet, focus on exams and good sleep go without saying.
Conclusion
In this article, we have highlighted the different competitive exams after 10th. Make sure that you fulfil the eligibility requirements for these examinations and scholarships. All the best in attempting these competitive exams after 10th and in applying for the scholarships mentioned in this article.
FAQs on Competitive Exams after 10th
Q1. How many competitive exams should I write?
Ans. Attempting as many examinations as you can will increase your chances of getting into a good institution or securing a good scholarship.
Q2. When should I start my preparation for the exams?
Ans. It is suggested that you start preparing for your examinations as early as possible.
Q3. Are there any more scholarships apart from the ones in this article?
Ans. Apart from national level scholarships, there are plenty of state-level scholarships that you can apply for. These scholarships vary by states and have different eligibility requirements.
Q4. What if I am not eligible for a particular examination ?
Ans. You can opt for any of the other examinations and scholarships mentioned in this article.
