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Monday, September 16, 2013

All about A*STAR India Youth Scholarship

The early date of August was welcomed by a thrill of enthusiasm prevailing among the veins. An envelope stuck at my hand that had been sent off by the Singapore Government. I was completely mused by the invitation that had knocked up my door. Though I was aware of something as astonishing as that because my inbox had been sparked up with the flame of hope merely a couple of days ago. I had been invited to sit for the A*STAR Scholarship test that was my goal of the year. Though it had mated my mind, yet I was entirely unaware of the syllabus that the examination followed. Surfs on net and chats with wizards had proved fatal, for yet the syllabus had not yet unfolded for me. The only thing I had been able to know of was that I had to surf through the very test to break out the Indian cage.
Anyways, in the last days I came to know a bit of the exams. The three papers: Maths, English and General Ability were to comprise of questions of higher secondary level. Better late than never, just two days ago, did I lately start up preparing the R.S. Agarwal. But that fat nerd was out of the world for me. I was entirely confused, where to start from. That puzzling and startling ate up my last chances too. Though, after having prognosticated the failure in future, yet I boarded the train to Delhi.
The arrival at the hotel staggered me up, not of nausea or weakness, but of the striking interior. It was beyond fantasies. A heaven at Delhi had waited for me since days. But, the matter wasn't the outside appearance of the five star hotel but the inner being. Yes, I mean that the invigilator, the examination hall and everything else was the best for me, but the papers set up were ravaging.
A virtual narration could begin with the scholarship briefing that we were given. We had a nice interactive juncture with the Singaporeans. I had my mind cleared off from the so- called doubts of the post scholarship exam period. The next was our GAT or General Ability Test. The almost 60 of us (half batch) were giving instructions for advancing forth. We were at first told of the timings and all. I was just freaked to know that the entire 48 of general ability questions were to be done in just 20 minutes. It was a kind of practically impossible. I was just able to complete 38 of the questions. The questions were like complete the pattern kind of. There were figures given to us. But the most boring thing of the shapes that we had to complete was that they had just 5 colours. Just black, white, blue and grey. Anyways, they just seemed childish, but the questions after no. 15 were just tricky ones. But it was fun to have tried out such a level of questions.
The next, was the lunch break, after which we had our Mathematics Test. The most furious and horrid was that test. There were around 34 questions having a number of subparts. The questions covered topics including graphs, squares and square root, linear and simultaneous and quadratic equations, trigonometry, indices and surds, surface area and volume, trigonometry ( a high level one), graphs, triangles, factorization, expansions and so on. The 100 marks paper ( around 2 hours) was harder than anything and was just a total mess for me and most of my fellow mates. I still curse upon myself for not having practiced for the maths test. So I have no hope for myself being selected for the interview after a bad performance in Maths test for which 130 of us had sat altogether.
After a short refreshing half and hour break, we had our English papers. Yes, we had two tests without a break. The first paper comprised of fill up the blanks kind questions that tested our vocabularies and grammatical powers. The test wasn't like choose the right answer questions as in General Ability Test, but a bit of writing of one or two words in the answer paper was also to be done. We were also given two long comprehensions with a bit of questions that fall under the tag of trickiness and simplicity. Then we had inserting of preposition and conjunction type questions. There were around 50 questions altogether to be done in one and a half hours. The time was more than enough. The English exam 1 was just superb for me.
Next, the English exam 2 was a topic of fun, for it included writing of an essay in just 30 minutes. The topics were 'If you recommend some foreigner to visit some historical place in India, what would you recommend and why so?' The other one that I attempted was, 'The most memorable day at school.' The essay writing was fun, though 30 minutes seemed to be insufficient, anyways I made it at the right time.
With the essay framing and a check of demiurgicness, our day at the grand hotel folded up. We bade a bye to our newly made temporary friends. And with this, the day that I had been waiting for since months, ended up.
We were told during the scholarship briefing that the pupil selected, would be sent a mail in late October or early November giving a call for an interview. Its a worth giving exam, so I don't feel regretted even after having messed out the entire answer sheet with stupid answers. Though I have no hope at all, to be selected, yet I can say that this was the most memorable day that would be stored in my archives. 


63 comments:

  1. Will the papers be given to us to take home?do you have your papers?

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    1. No, thats a very gloomy point of this test for the aspirants. They take back the question papers, once we finish up the test. So kind of, no taking the question papers even out of the examination room!

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  2. can you please acquaint me with the level of questions that are going to come in the test .
    will you please prefer a book name for this , and , the class whose syllabus is going to be followed.
    if you remember some questions from every subject , then please insert those questions here.
    please help. I don't know from where to start.

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  3. Well, same was the case with me. I didn't know anything and simply attempted the exam. I don't think any particular book might help out because the syllabus of the exam is unmentioned and unpredictable. The questions were of a quite high level, around class 10th and 11th level (some of them). As to remembering the questions, I don't remember much for I gave the exam, two years ago.

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  4. Hello, my name's Aditya. I have been preparing for this exam since May, so are there chances that I get selected? Also, I have just learnt trigonometry. So what were the questions you had problem solving? Kindly Reply.

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    1. See I cannot assure you about anything. But yes, I would simply suggest that firstly, be confident. As you said, you have been preparing for the exams since May. This means that there are a lot of chances for your selection. At the same time, I would advice you not to be very over confident because there would be others who would have also prepared just like you. Secondly, as to Trigo is concerned, I dont exactly remember the questions, but yes, it was completely based on logic.
      There were around a 500 students appearing for the exam during the year I appeared for it but only around 10 or 12 of them had been called for the interview. So give your best and don't panic when you see the wizard looking students around you.
      Best Of Luck!

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    2. Hi Aditya,
      Can you give your contact details as I want to know more about this test?
      Thanks - Shadow

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  5. Hey, I am appearing for this exam and i have been preparing some class 10 topics along with mental ability , So what else i need to prepare?
    Thanks in advance

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    1. See, its good that you have prepared it. So you can solve few of math questions within minutes. Just apply intense logic wherever required. Moreover, I would suggest that you develop a good vocabulary because that will help you in the English paper. Also, just see how you can write a really high standard essay! Thats it. And at last, prepare your mind to do the best. Prepare your heart to fight the fright, and then maybe you might soon get a chance to prepare for the interview ( the next step).
      All the best!

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  6. Hi! Only one week is left for the test.... I want to clear it desperately.... Tell me which topics should I focus on?

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    1. Desperate! your language shows your will to be selected. But hope you have prepared for it. I myself had not done so and thats the reason for my failure. I have mentioned certain topics in the article, I feel that those were the topics from which most of the questions were framed. But they say they don't have a syllabus, so maybe prepare 2-3 important topics other than the ones I mentioned to keep yourself on the safer side. Time yourself up during the Math and Mental Ability paper. Do focus on the your language too. Most of the students from the coaching institutes do well in Math, but somewhere, they fail to succeed because of the English part. If you go to some coaching class, then don't worry about Math, only English is to be focused on. But if you don't go to any coaching, do focus more on Math because if you go unprepared, you will mess everything up!
      All the very best!

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  7. Hey, its Aditya again. You said that you gave the exam 2 years ago, so are you again appearing in this exam? Because this exam is for both class 9 and 11th students. And in trigonometry, were there questions of heights and distances? Kindly Reply.

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  8. Hello again Aditya! I do know that there's an A Star for the 11th class students too. But I am not appearing for the exam again, I have already got others plans. Anyways, I don't remember exactly whether there were any heights and distance questions or not. But I would say, that better prepare for it. Because I wont risk your lifetime achievement due to my forgetfulness.

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  9. Are you on facebook so that I can add you as a friend because there are some more doubts about the exam. Kindly reply

    -Aditya (again)

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    1. You can ask me anything on Facebook! Just search Vrushti Trivedi and you would get me.

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  10. Hello
    I am Shreyansh and I am also invited to give exam.
    Suggest me what should I practice in mathematics.

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    1. Hello Shreyash! The topics which I have mentioned in my article were the ones that were covered in A Star exam two years before. So, I think they might be likely to come. I would suggest that you perfect your 9th class syllabus completely, along with a little insight of even the class 10th Mathematics. And whatever you practice, try timing yourself up because time is what that is to be focused on during the scholarship exam.
      Best of Luck!

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    2. Shreyansh ..what is your contact number pls share

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  11. Hello,
    My name's Siddharth and I am appearing for this exam. I just wanted to ask you that were there questions related to chord measurements and questions which included "Radians" ? Kindly Reply.

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  12. Hi Siddharth,
    No I don't think such questions were there. But as it is said, their syllabus isn't fixed, so you better go through these two topics once.

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    1. Thanks for your help. You are a very helpful person. :)

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  13. In English exam, What is the word limit of essay?

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  14. what is the syllabus for english exam ? which type of questions are asked in english exam?

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    1. See first of all they dont have a particular syllabus! But as to kind of questions is concerned, there will be complete the sentence kind of questions, filling up prepositions and all. Just develop a good vocabulary, that will help you get through the english paper quite easily. Then there are comprehensions and all. Then the other english paper would comprise of writing an essay in just 30 min. During our time they gave us two topics, and we had to write on any one.
      Thats it.
      Best of lucÄ·

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  15. Hey even i am sitting 4 this exam.Can u pls tell me about the pattern and the format of questions. It really becomes helpful if one knows that. Also any suggestions to concentrate on some particular topics........

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    1. Hello Rashi. Its like every subject paper has a different pattern. Don't expect only multiple choice based questions. There are subjective questions and questions where you will have to write one or two words here and there. Yes, the General Ability paper was totally Multiple Choice Based. The topics I have mentioned in the article above, were covered in the 2013 paper, so they might be quite important. At the same time don't neglect certain other important higher secondary level topics and prepare well. If you want to know more, once read through all the comments. You migh tget even a better idea of it all.
      Best of Luck.

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  16. can you please tell me about :
    the marking system .
    the type of essays which are most likely to come in exam.
    how do I need to prepare for MAT and english paper.

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    1. I don't know about the marking system at all. They don't disclose it. The types of essays would be such that you would get a chance to show up your creativity. Don't miss that chance. Do your best. Write an out of the box- an innovative piece of essay. See, I cannot predict the paper and tell you which kinds are most likely to come. But this is what I suggest. Keep the standard of whatever you write, a little higher. And keep a track of the recent topics. They might ask them too.
      For MAT, read logical reasoning books. It had almost all complete the pattern type questions. It requires spatial reasoning at times too. I would give a short tip here. In this paper don't waste your time on questions that you do not know. Move on.
      As to the English paper, I would say improve your grammar as well as vocabulary.
      Go there well prepared.
      Best of Luck.

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    2. Hello vrushti,
      It's Aditya again. Thank you so much for your help. My exam was awesome. Thanks once again����

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    3. Thanks Aditya and all the best for your results...

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  17. Hello Vrushti,
    Its Siddharth again. I wanted to ask you whether there were questions based on logs (logarithms) ? Also, as you mentioned above, which type of graph related questions were there? Kindly Reply.

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    1. I think that yes, there were logarithm questions. But at the same time I am not very sure of it. Two years is a very long time to remember questions which I had simply glanced at. As to the graphs, they were analyzing the graph and mean, median, mode questions. You do prepare the pie charts too. The graphs were much easier than certain other questions.

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  18. Hi
    I am muskan ... I am going to appear for this exam I am totally new to all these scholarship comptetions will u please guide me . I have also sent u friend request with my id Sonia Walia on fb so that if have any problem I can contact you .
    thank you
    Muskan Walia

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  19. Can you please help me as I have no idea on how to tackle this exam. Can you please give me a more detailed explanation on what topics were included in the Maths test?

    Thanks - Shadow

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  20. hi vrushti, I want to know that are all the students who apply for the test are shortlisted or whether there is some kind of a criteria for this. Please let me know that how many marks one has to get so that he is shortlisted. Thankyou for your help

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  21. Hello vrusti,,,
    I amrit a student of class eight. Can you tell me what chapters of math will come?and which book I need to follow? And also how I can get the previous year question papers?

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  22. hi vrusti now your blog has freaking scared me out. My sister gave this exam 3 years back and at that time she was not able to cover any topic so unfortunately she was not able to crack the exam bu i have been working hard to crack this exam since 2016 and now i have to give this exam. She told me that most of the questions will be of 9th and 10th , no 11th. what do you think i should do now? i have done 8th, 9th and 10th completely. i still have 3 months in hand for the exam. any last tips?

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    1. Hello! I am really sorry for a late reply ( every day counts when you are preparing for the test). Well, if you have really mastered 8,9 & 10th grade math, then I dont really feel that you would be having any problem. But there are some topics from these classes which are continued even continued in 11th grade. When I mention "some" questions from 11th, it really means to point out at the higher level 9 and 10th grade ones which would rather get easily solved if you have a bit of an idea about the 11th grade approach.
      Moreover, I would say that your sister would he a better guide for you than I could be, since she might know what exactly you have covered up studying. Also, this exam has no specified syllabus, so it might extend beyond the 10th grade boundary. So its better to be on the safer side.
      Since you sound confident, I don't think you gotta worry about anything. Good luck with the exam. I hope you really crack it!
      Also, after you are done with the exam, leave me a reply whether 11th grade preparation is "must" or its just for the sake of being on the safe side, so that I could help the future exam takers.
      Good luck again!

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  23. If i am able to crack this exam surely i will leave a feedback. In maths there were 34 questions right? were most of them from algebra and factorization and exponents and powers? i have not touched ncert of any standard i have directly prepared everything from RD Sharma. RD sharma books are always one level ahead. i was thinking about the essay now because i very well know that even if i score good marks in maths and my english is not strong then m not going to be selected. were there any questions of angles and triangles? please reply ASAP. TYSM. you are a great help.

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  24. I am really very glad that I could help people through my blog!
    So yes, as in the 2013 A Star Exam, there were 34 questions with various subparts ( since its been almost 4 years, I barely remember everything exactly. So couldnt mention the expected number of subparts). Also, the Math topics which I have mentioned in the article are the ones from which most questions were framed. (Refer to the article above). Yes I remember solving questions on angles and triangles.
    About English, I know its really difficult to expand your vocabulary in a short duration, but I recommend reading magazines and articles that might help you out with it. For the essay, keep in mind certain events that have affected your life, since the essay questions in 2013 were such. Also remember to be creative and pour out the best that you can write in the essay.
    Cheers!

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  25. hey hi do you know anyone who cracked this exam after consulting you?

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    1. I have always asked people to leave me a reply whether they are selected or not. But till date, nobody has provided me with an answer. So I really dont know if anyone got selected after reading my blog and seeking my advice.

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  26. hey hi were there any questions of arithematic progression?

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    1. I dont remember this. I am an ISC student and we didnt have AM until 11th. So probably even if that was asked, I dont remember if that was an AM question back then.

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  27. did they tell the benefits and everything brief me about the after story of claiming this scholarship please? Please?

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    1. They told us about everything! And they will tell you too in the seminar before the exam. You will know it very soon. Also its all positive! You would experience a change in your life if you do get accepted. So dont worry about it.

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  28. hiii i need serious help,most of the people who gave this exam told me that there were questions on linear equations and quadratic equation. i can easily solve those equations but do you remember any graphical questions? I think it is going to come but exactly what kind of graphical questions are going to come and also my sister told me that in the recent years the syllabus has become easier, i mean when she gave the exam only one trigonometric question was asked and also the formula to solve that question was provided too so i suppose i won't be doing 11th. 11th RD will brainwash me lol. so basically help me with the graphs and co ordinate geometry. how many students came to give the exam? did you have really good grades in 7th and 8th report cards. I have a B in hindi, hope that will not matter much overall i had above 90% and A in english, Science and Maths so is this fine to be selected?

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    1. hey , i want to ask you that we need to give the applications in class 8 or 9.i have been studying for the last two years for this.i am in class 8 and completed maths of 8, 9 and some pats of 10.

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  29. hey , i want to ask you that we need to give the applications in class 8 or 9.i have been studying for the last two years for this.i am in class 8 and completed maths of 8, 9 and some pats of 10.

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  30. hi vrusthi.
    I applied for a star 2018. I registered online and got my application no. Do I have to send the documents to ministry of education ,signapore also? Thanks plz reply quickly plz please please please please

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  31. any one who is gonna apply in 2019 june plz reply

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    1. Please help guide on how did you prepare for this exam.When did you start, what all studied . Looking forward to your inputs.

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  32. Hi Vrusti,
    What is this wizard thing? Moreover is there any negative marking for incorrect answers?
    Thanks

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  33. Has someone been called for the A star scholarship 2019. Please reply as soon as possible.

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  34. PM me if yall wanna know anything more ill check this blog from time to time.

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    1. PS: I made it back in Summer 2017 lulz

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  35. Hi Vrusti,
    Thanks for the blog. It was indeed wonderful of you to give your valuable advice. Means a lot!

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