JSTSE --Some plain facts
JSTSE stands for Junior Science Talent Search Exam, and it is for class IX students. It is generally heard and believed that questions of JSTSE are of class X standard, or class XI standard or class XII standard. What are the elements of truth in these beliefs? To find the reality I went through the previous years questions of this exam. What I found that answers to some questions are in the textbook of class X, class XI and class XII. But it doesn't imply that questions are of the standard of class X, class XI and class XII.
JSTSE is the exam to search students' talent in science. So two things are expected from students. These are: Concepts and Curiosity. And in my opinion these two traits are essential to judge students' inclination to further pursue any discipline. To perform well in academics, and to have genuine inclination towards a particular discipline are not one and the same entity. A student with true inclination and liking to a particular subject will explore beyond syllabus. An inquisitive mind is always eager to correlate his learning and observation.
What we need for such exams are 'Fundamentals' and 'Curiosity that leads to new awareness level'. This is exactly what the questions of science in JSTSE test. Physics, Chemistry and Biology constitute Science (Broadly speaking). Physics include Mechanics, Heat, Sound wave, Light, Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics. These topics are introduced in class VI onwards in some or the other form. So it will be unfair to expect question from class IX syllabus only that contains Mechanics, Heat and Sound Wave. If some straight questions about Short-sightedness (Myopia) or Far-sightedness (Hypermetropia) are asked, and these are part of class X syllabus, does not mean that a 'curious science student' will wait till class X to understand these general science question. Further if a question is there from 'electromagnetic spectrum', and 'electromagnetic spectrum' is available in class XI and class XII textbooks, a 'curious student' would wait till class XI. He/she should know it irrespective of his/her class. One may ask why? Answer is simple. We all know or hear about X-ray, Micro Wave , Ultra Violet Rays, Radio Wave, Infrared Radiation, Visible light and Gamma Rays. So it is expected to know the difference and similarity among these 'electromagnetic waves'. The question asked, generally their position on spectrum as per their wavelength and frequency, is justified.
Now come to chemistry. Polymer has been favourite topic of question setters of JSTSE in the past. This topic is not included in the syllabus of class IX. But students have its exposure in class VIII. But the question setter wants to test students sensitivity and awareness towards environment. Recyclable plastic, Biodegradable plastics and Non-Biodegradable plastics are common word these days. Whenever we bring Shampoo bottles, Frooti bottles, Colin bottle, Bucket, Jug etc for our daily uses, some number inside triangle is written. This number depending upon the use and material tell us that these are PET, HDPE, LDPE etc. So mere awareness will give us knowledge of Recyclable plastics, and students are expected to know it. Further category of plastics that are classified into Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable should be known to students.
JSTSE question papers are full with such examples. So it is evident that this exam that searches talent in science is the test of 'Concepts' and 'Curiosity'. So prepare accordingly.
JSTSE on January 31, 2016. Good luck! I will add additional required topics for students preparing for JSTSE exam in 2017.
JSTSE stands for Junior Science Talent Search Exam, and it is for class IX students. It is generally heard and believed that questions of JSTSE are of class X standard, or class XI standard or class XII standard. What are the elements of truth in these beliefs? To find the reality I went through the previous years questions of this exam. What I found that answers to some questions are in the textbook of class X, class XI and class XII. But it doesn't imply that questions are of the standard of class X, class XI and class XII.
JSTSE is the exam to search students' talent in science. So two things are expected from students. These are: Concepts and Curiosity. And in my opinion these two traits are essential to judge students' inclination to further pursue any discipline. To perform well in academics, and to have genuine inclination towards a particular discipline are not one and the same entity. A student with true inclination and liking to a particular subject will explore beyond syllabus. An inquisitive mind is always eager to correlate his learning and observation.
What we need for such exams are 'Fundamentals' and 'Curiosity that leads to new awareness level'. This is exactly what the questions of science in JSTSE test. Physics, Chemistry and Biology constitute Science (Broadly speaking). Physics include Mechanics, Heat, Sound wave, Light, Electricity, Magnetism and Modern Physics. These topics are introduced in class VI onwards in some or the other form. So it will be unfair to expect question from class IX syllabus only that contains Mechanics, Heat and Sound Wave. If some straight questions about Short-sightedness (Myopia) or Far-sightedness (Hypermetropia) are asked, and these are part of class X syllabus, does not mean that a 'curious science student' will wait till class X to understand these general science question. Further if a question is there from 'electromagnetic spectrum', and 'electromagnetic spectrum' is available in class XI and class XII textbooks, a 'curious student' would wait till class XI. He/she should know it irrespective of his/her class. One may ask why? Answer is simple. We all know or hear about X-ray, Micro Wave , Ultra Violet Rays, Radio Wave, Infrared Radiation, Visible light and Gamma Rays. So it is expected to know the difference and similarity among these 'electromagnetic waves'. The question asked, generally their position on spectrum as per their wavelength and frequency, is justified.
Now come to chemistry. Polymer has been favourite topic of question setters of JSTSE in the past. This topic is not included in the syllabus of class IX. But students have its exposure in class VIII. But the question setter wants to test students sensitivity and awareness towards environment. Recyclable plastic, Biodegradable plastics and Non-Biodegradable plastics are common word these days. Whenever we bring Shampoo bottles, Frooti bottles, Colin bottle, Bucket, Jug etc for our daily uses, some number inside triangle is written. This number depending upon the use and material tell us that these are PET, HDPE, LDPE etc. So mere awareness will give us knowledge of Recyclable plastics, and students are expected to know it. Further category of plastics that are classified into Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable should be known to students.
JSTSE question papers are full with such examples. So it is evident that this exam that searches talent in science is the test of 'Concepts' and 'Curiosity'. So prepare accordingly.
JSTSE on January 31, 2016. Good luck! I will add additional required topics for students preparing for JSTSE exam in 2017.
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