7 Tips For Students To Clear Scholarship Exams

Every year, more than 15 million students apply for Scholarships in India, with the hopes of securing some kind of aid that can assist them in their education. The Government of India and many private organisations, offer many types of scholarships, such as minority scholarships, merit-based financial aid, and subject-specific Olympiads. 

But with so much competition & only a limited number of scholarships available every year, what can a student do to increase their chances? That’s exactly what this blog is here to do. To tell you the best practices for ace your scholarship exams. 

Understanding Scholarship Exams: What You Need to Know

Types of Scholarship Exams

Scholarship exams vary greatly from one another. Some of the most sought after ones in India include:

• National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) – A prestigious exam of scholarship for class 10 students, offering financial support for higher education.
• Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF Olympiad) – Organizes various Olympiad exams, including the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), International Science Olympiad, and International English Olympiad.
• UPSC Scholarship Programs – Financial aid schemes for students preparing for civil services and other government exams.
• National Olympiad Competitions – Cover subjects like mathematics, science, and English, encouraging students to excel in academics.
• Private and Government Minority Scholarships – Designed for students from economically weaker sections and minority communities.

Each of these exams tests a student’s aptitude, analytical skills, and subject knowledge, making them competitive and challenging in their own ways. 

Best Practices for Clearing Scholarship Exams

1. Know the Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Before you start preparing for any kind of examination, it is necessary to know the syllabus & the type of scholarship examination you’re gonna be attending. Knowing the patterns & syllabus before preparing can save you time & effort. 

• Check the official website.
• Download previous years’ question papers.
• Identify the weightage of different topics.

2. Create a Study Plan

Everything needs a plan. Especially scholar exams which are known to be considerably tough. A proper study plan with efficient time management can be very effective in your preparations. 

• Allocate time for each subject.
• Include breaks.
• Revise regularly.

3. Focus on Conceptual Clarity

Many competitive exams and Olympiad exams focus on application-based questions rather than rote memorization. Build a strong foundation in subjects like mathematics & science.

• Practice numericals.
• Refer to books & guides available in the library or online. 
• Join coaching programs like Agastya Learnings.

4. Solve Mock Tests and Sample Papers

The best way to prepare yourself exams ready mentally is by solving mock tests & previous years’ question papers of the national olympiad & international olympiad.

• Time yourself.
• Analyze mistakes and work on weak areas.
• Learn to manage time effectively during exams.

5. Improve Speed and Accuracy

All your effort is meaningless if you cannot complete your exam under the time limit. So practice solving papers under a strict time limit to increase your speed. 

• Solve mental math problems.
• Practice speed reading
• Learn shortcuts & tricks to solving logical reasoning questions.

6. Stay Updated with Exam Deadlines

Many miss out on student scholarships due to not keeping an eye out for exam form deadlines. Remember to keep track of: 

• Registration dates
• Exam schedules
• Result announcements

Follow official websites and join relevant forums to stay updated.

7. Manage Exam Stress & Stay Motivated

Scholarship exams come & go all the time. So losing your mental & physical health over it is definitely not worth it. 

• Get adequate sleep before the exams.
• Don’t stress out about the results, it’s just an exam.
• Maintain a positive mindset.

Resources & Guidelines for Scholarship Exams

Recommended Study Materials

• For NTSE Exam – NCERT textbooks, previous year’s papers
• For Mathematics Olympiad – RS Aggarwal, Arun Sharma
• For International Science Olympiad – HC Verma, Lakhmir Singh
• For International English Olympiad – Wren & Martin, Word Power Made Easy
• For General Competitive Exams – R.S. Aggarwal’s Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning

Useful Online Platforms

• SOF Official Website (for SOF Olympiad details)
• NTSE Portal (for exam guidelines and updates)
• Olympiad Trainer (for mock tests and practice papers)
• Government Scholarship Portals (for minority scholarships and financial aid programs)

Agastya Learnings: For Scholarships & Olympiads Preparation

Agastya Learning is an online teaching platform that specializes in providing guidance to students preparing for Scholarship examinations & olympiad exams. Its online teaching offers services like:

1. Personalised evaluation of students.
2. Focused online videos tailored towards students
3. Regular mock tests & feedbacks
4. 24/7 guidance & student support

Agastya Learnings is India’s first Ed-tech platform that provides Hybrid Learning for students through their coaching centres. The idea behind this setting is to provide the students with flexible options so they can choose the one that suits their learning style the best.