Competitive exams are assessments used to select candidates based on merit for various purposes, including admission to educational institutions, scholarships, or employment. They test knowledge, skills, and aptitude, often involving standardized tests and rigorous evaluation.
They are usually conducted by various boards, commissions, or organizations at national, state, or institutional levels. Competitive exams can be challenging and require a lot of preparation and hard work.
Purpose:
Competitive exams aim to identify the most qualified candidates from a pool of applicants by evaluating their abilities in a fair and standardized manner.
Types:
These exams can be for various purposes, including:
Academic Entrance Exams: For admission to universities, colleges, or specific programs.
Scholarship Exams: To award scholarships based on merit.
Job Recruitment Exams: For hiring employees in various sectors, including government jobs.
Common Features:
Standardized Tests: These exams typically involve multiple-choice questions, essay questions, or other standardized formats.
Rigorous Evaluation: The assessment process is designed to be fair and objective, with clear criteria for evaluating performance.
Competitive Environment: The nature of these exams creates a competitive environment, where candidates are ranked based on their performance.
Examples:
Civil Services Exam (CSE)
The Civil Services Exam (CSE) is one of the most prestigious and difficult exams in India. It is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) every year to recruit officers for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), Indian Police Service (IPS), and other central services.
There are three stages in the CSE: Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.
The Preliminary stage has two objective-type papers: General Studies and CSAT (Civil Services Aptitude Test).
The Mains stage has nine descriptive-type papers: four General Studies, two Optional Subjects, one Essay, one English, and one Indian Language.
The Interview stage is a personality test that assesses the candidate’s suitability for the service.
Joint Entrance Examination (JEE)
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a national-level exam that is conducted for admission to undergraduate engineering and architecture courses in various institutes across India.
The JEE has two phases: JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
The JEE Main is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and consists of three papers: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology/Planning.
The JEE Advanced is conducted by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and consists of two papers: Paper 1 and Paper 2. Questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics are included in both papers. The JEE Advanced is the gateway to the IITs and a few other institutes.
National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a national-level exam that is conducted for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses in various colleges across India. The NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and consists of one paper with 180 multiple-choice questions from Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. The NEET is the only entrance exam for MBBS and BDS courses in India.
Common Admission Test (CAT)
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is a national-level exam that is conducted for admission to postgraduate management programs in various institutes across India.
Conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), the CAT comprises three sections: Quantitative Ability (QA), Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning (DILR), and Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension (VARC). The CAT is a computer-based test with 76 questions and a duration of 120 minutes. The CAT is the gateway to the IIMs and many other reputed B-schools.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level exam that is conducted for admission to postgraduate engineering and science programs in various institutes across India. The GATE is conducted by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the IITs and consists of one paper with 65 questions from General Aptitude and the chosen subject. The GATE is a computer-based test with a duration of 180 minutes. The GATE score is valid for three years and is also used for recruitment by some public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Exam (SSC CGL)
The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level Exam (SSC CGL) is a national-level exam that is conducted for recruitment to various posts in the central government departments and ministries.
The SSC CGL consists of four tiers: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, and Tier 4.
The Tier 1 is an objective-type test with 100 questions from General Intelligence and Reasoning, General Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Comprehension.
The Tier 2 test comprises four objective-type papers: Quantitative Abilities, English Language and Comprehension, Statistics, and General Studies.
The Tier 3 is a descriptive-type test with an essay, a letter, and an application.
The Tier 4 is a skill test or a computer proficiency test depending on the post applied for.
Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) is a national-level exam that is conducted for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate law programs in various law schools across India. The CLAT is conducted by the Consortium of National Law Universities (NLUs) and consists of one paper with 150 multiple-choice questions for the undergraduate program and 120 multiple-choice questions for the postgraduate program. The questions cover topics such as English Language, Current Affairs, Legal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Quantitative Techniques for the undergraduate program and Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, and other law subjects for the postgraduate program.
National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA)
The National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (NDA/NA) is a national-level exam that is conducted for recruitment to the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The NDA/NA is conducted by the UPSC twice a year and consists of two papers: Mathematics and General Ability Test. The Mathematics paper has 120 questions and the General Ability Test has 150 questions. The General Ability Test has two parts: Part A (English) and Part B (General Knowledge). The NDA/NA is followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview that tests the candidate’s physical, mental, and psychological fitness.
Common University Entrance Test (CUET)
The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) is a standardized test that has revolutionized the admissions process for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET serves as a single-window opportunity for students aspiring to enroll in central universities and other participating institutions. The exam assesses a candidate’s aptitude and subject knowledge through a comprehensive testing format, ensuring a fair and equitable selection process. With its introduction, CUET has become a crucial stepping stone for students seeking higher education, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and academic proficiency.
Preparation:
Preparing for competitive exams requires a structured approach, including:
Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern: Knowing what topics will be covered and how the exam will be structured is crucial.
Creating a study schedule: A well-planned schedule helps to cover the syllabus effectively.
Practicing with mock tests: Simulating the exam environment helps to improve time management and identify weak areas.
Seeking guidance from coaching centers or mentors: Coaching centers can provide valuable resources and guidance.