NTSE Stage 2 2021 General Cutoff Analysis and Expectations

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) Stage 2 is a highly competitive and prestigious exam conducted in India. The cutoff marks for the General category in NTSE Stage 2, especially in the year 2021, can vary significantly based on several factors, including the difficulty level of the examination paper, the number of candidates, and overall performance.

Expected Cutoff for NTSE Stage 2 2021, October 24, General Category

The expected cutoff for the General category in the NTSE Stage 2 exam held on October 24, 2021, was approximately 150-160 marks out of 200. It is important to note, however, that official cutoff marks are released by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) only after the results are declared. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, you should refer to the official NCERT announcements or their website.

Impact of Difficulty and Length of MAT Paper

According to major coaching institutes, the cutoff for the General category this year is expected to be slightly lower due to the difficulty and lengthiness of the Mental Ability Test (MAT) paper. The expected cutoff ranges for different categories are as follows:

General 125-135 Sc (Scheduled Caste) 95-100 St (Scheduled Tribe) 90-100 EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) Near 100

Question Paper Variations and Mistakes

There have been significant variations in question paper versions given in different states. For example, in Karnataka, there were two questions numbered 18, and no question was numbered 36. The following are a few mistakes noticed across different versions:

MAT Q 64: Many versions did not have the complete question. However, the version distributed in Karnataka had the full question correct. SAT Physics Q 39: The question was correct, and option 1 was right in the Karnataka paper. However, the question was worded ambiguously in many other states. SAT Physics Q 40: In the Karnataka version, the question was to calculate the average speed for the journey AC, and none of the options matched. However, in many other versions, the question just states 'AC dash,' and option 2 matches.

These discrepancies indicate that there might be more inconsistencies across various versions of papers distributed across states. The papers have a standard disclaimer that the English version will be considered final in case of disputes. However, there is a case where the English versions distributed across states are not the same, resulting in confusion and time wastage. The invigilators checked with NCERT multiple times and provided contradictory instructions, leading to significant time wastage.

Historical Trends and Predictions

Historical trends suggest that the cutoff is likely to be very close to last year's figures. Here is a brief analysis of the past few years:

2017-18: First year with the new pattern including 100 MAT questions and no negative marking. General cutoff was 150, and the paper was easy. OBC (Other Backward Classes) reservation was not introduced, and a total of 1000 students were selected, with the general category having ~775 selections. 2018-19: OBC reservation was introduced, with a total of 2000 selections, and the general category had ~1000 selections. The paper was tougher, and the cutoff was 134. 2019-20: EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) reservation was introduced, and the general category had only 800 selections. The paper was tougher than the previous year, and despite the late February conduct, the general cutoff went down by only 2 marks, making it 132. OBC cutoff went down by 6 marks. 2020-21: The MAT paper was universally acknowledged to be very difficult, similar to the 2015-16 paper, where the general cutoff was 76/150 with negative marking. The SAT paper was much easier than previous years and largely compensated for the toughness of the MAT paper. The number of selections remained the same as the previous year.

Due to the early conduct of the exam this year, NCERT usually does not consider bonus marks when publishing cutoffs. However, this year, there was a note that bonus marks would be considered. Given the early conduct and the potential for a more serious preparation, the cutoff is likely to be around 131-133 on 194 6 bonus questions or 137-139 on 200 including bonus.

Conclusion

All students should write to NCERT about the discrepancies in the paper, especially in Karnataka, and request for a fair approach. While the official cutoff will be released by NCERT, it is essential to advocate for transparency and fairness in the examination process. NCERT should find a proper way to ensure fairness for all students, despite the differences in the question paper versions.