National Standard Examination in Physics

About National Standard Examination in Physics

The National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP) is a competitive examination in India designed to identify and nurture young talents in the field of physics. NSEP serves as one of the stages in the selection process for forming the Indian team that represents the country at international physics competitions, including the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). Here are some key points about the National Standard Examination in Physics (NSEP):

Objective: The primary objective of NSEP is to assess and encourage students with a strong aptitude for physics. It aims to promote a deeper understanding of physics concepts and stimulate interest in the subject among school students.

Eligibility: NSEP is typically open to Indian students who are in the 11th or 12th grade. Eligibility criteria may vary from year to year, and students must meet specific age requirements.

Exam Format: NSEP is a written examination that typically consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and descriptive questions. The examination covers various topics in physics, including classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics.

National Selection: NSEP serves as the first stage in the selection process for forming the Indian team for the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). Top-performing students in NSEP are selected to attend a training camp and undergo further evaluation.

Training Camps: After the NSEP exam, selected students are invited to participate in a series of training camps. These camps provide specialized coaching, guidance, and exposure to advanced topics in physics.

International Representation: The students who excel in the training camps and perform exceptionally well in the subsequent evaluations are chosen to represent India at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). IPhO is an international competition involving students from various countries.

Benefits: Participation in NSEP offers several advantages, including the opportunity to represent India at the international level through IPhO, recognition for excellence in physics, access to specialized training and mentorship, and the potential for further academic and career opportunities in the field of physics.

Preparation: Preparing for NSEP requires a strong foundation in physics concepts, problem-solving skills, and a genuine interest in the subject. Students often engage in self-study, consult textbooks and reference materials, seek guidance from teachers or mentors, and practice with past NSEP question papers to perform well in the competition.

Promotion of Physics Education: NSEP plays a crucial role in promoting the study of physics among young students in India and encourages them to pursue higher education and careers in physics-related fields.

Official Body: NSEP is typically organized and administered by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) and the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE).

Participating in NSEP and representing India at IPhO is a prestigious achievement for students interested in physics. It provides them with a valuable platform to showcase their knowledge and skills, fostering a love for scientific inquiry and exploration in the field of physics.

NSEP  Syllabus 2024-25

Chapters in NCERT

Geometrical Optics

Alternating current

Capacitor

Centre of mass, momentum & collision

Circular Motion

Current Electricity

Electromagnetic Field

Electro-Magnetic Induction

Electrostatics

Semiconductor

Work, power, Energy

Simple harmonic Motion

Thermodynamics

Heat Transfer

Modern physics-1

Newton's law of Motion

Fluid

Rectilinear Motion

Sound Wave

Gravitation

Rotation

Wave optics

Surface Tension

NSEP Syllabus - Details

Below a table has been given in which the chapters and the most important topics according to the chapters have been listed out. This will allow the students to filter out the topics which are not important and mainly focus on the ones which are. 

The National Standard Test in Physics, or NSEP, is a voluntary exam in which many students from around the world participate in order to assess their analytical abilities, critical thinking, and general understanding. The National Science Olympiad Program (NSEP) is the first step in preparing for the national Olympiad program in physics. Only by having a thorough understanding of each subject would students be able to ace the test.

The NSEP test is unlike any other exam, and it is unlike standard school exams in that it requires in-depth knowledge of the subject. Before beginning NSEP training, it is required of the applicant to thoroughly review the syllabus and then devise a strategic plan to ace the test. It is important to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus because it helps the subject to sort out subjects that are irrelevant to the exams. After being acquainted with the syllabus, students should devise a strategic strategy and adhere to it to achieve a high score on the NSEP test.

NSEP 2023-24 Eligibility Criteria

The aspirants applying for NSEP need to check if they are eligible for the exam or not. Here are the complete eligibility criteria for NSEP 2023-24:

The candidate must be eligible to hold an Indian passport.

The OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) applicants will not be eligible for selection to the Indian team for the International Physics Olympiad.

Candidates must be born between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2007, including both days to be eligible for appearing in the exam.

The applicant must be living and studying in India since November 30, 2019, or earlier for appearing in the exam.

As per the guidelines students must not have qualified for the class 12 board exam before November 30, 2023.

The applicant must not have started or planning to start studies in a university or equivalent institution by June 1, 2022.

The candidate must not be appearing in IOQJS 2023-24 for being eligible.

A maximum of 10 scholarships will be awarded to encourage students to pursue their careers in physics by NSE. Also, Candidates seeking admission in B.Sc. (with physics) are eligible for NSEP scholarships.

NSEP Exam Pattern 2023-24

The NSEP exam pattern has the following categorization of questions and marks, which is useful for the candidates to review and prepare better for the exam.

Part A-1

No. of Questions-60

Total Marks-180

Part-A2

No. of Questions-10

Total Marks-60

The NSEP Exam pattern provides an idea of the marking scheme, the type of questions asked, and negative marking

The duration of the test is 2 hours.

The NSEP 2023-24 question paper is divided into two parts, part A1 and part A2.

The first part, Part A1 has 60 questions for 180 marks, and the second section, part A2 has 10 questions of 60 marks.

There is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer that the candidates select.