While we are congratulating the NTS scholars, there are also those who missed it by a narrow margin. However they have taken the result in their stride and are happy about the efforts and hard work they have put in.Here is what Eashaan Godbole, Shubhang Kulkarni, Chinmay Markale, Mahimna Kelkar, Chandana Nikam and Sujoy Shivde have to say:
The NTS is a national exam in two stages, state level and national level. We all cleared the state level easily, but studying for the national level was the challenge. Regular studies and hard work are the basics for success, as always.
The school was very helpful. We were given a different timetable and our teachers also arranged mock tests for us. They also went out of their way and tried to complete the syllabus in advance for the state level tests. Later, the school adjusted our schedule so that we got time to study for the nationals.
Studying for the NTS was a great experience. We devised various techniques to solve long problems with fewer calculations. And for other subjects, though the syllabus is the same, the depth is greater. That means we have to give more thought and reading for each topic.
This exam gave us confidence for all other competitive exams as well. Group studying helped. We could get our doubts cleared easily, cover more topics and also develop a healthy and competitive spirit. There was no sneakiness or mean thought between us. We were friends first, competitors afterwards. The preparation for this exam itself is an enjoyable journey. We soon started seeing this exam the way it was meant to be : as an opportunity to acquire more knowledge. We had fun doing it too.
We also kept up our physical activity and sports so that we could relax. It is not good to just sit and study all the time! Apoorva Ketkar, our first NTS scholar was our inspiration. She had the single minded determination which ensured success, and we were determined to repeat it for our school.
This is an exam that gives great confidence and we would ask all 10th standard students to try and appear for it in the coming years.
– Interview by Prateek Patankar,
Prateem Rohanekar and Esha Gokhale, std XI A.
