National Testing Agency (NTA) has been established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development as a premier, specialist, autonomous and self-sustained testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions. To assess competence of candidates for admissions and recruitment has always been a challenge in terms of matching with research based international standards, efficiency, transparency and error free delivery.
Computer Based Test
The major examinations being conducted by NTA will be Computer Based Test (CBT). A CBT requires candidates to sit in front of a computer terminal (node) allocated to them against their Roll number and Admit Card. After logging the candidate will get detailed instructions for the examinations. At the designated time of start of examination, the candidates will be able to proceed and see the questions on the computer screen using the computer mouse. Candidates will have the option to change / modify/ edit / answers already entered any time during the examination.
Test Practice Centres
MHRD has mandated the National Testing Agency (NTA) to set up, establish and create a network of Test Practice Centres for candidates, especially in remote and rural areas to enable them to practice and be comfortable in taking a Computer Based Test (CBT). This facility will be completely free of cost. This will facilitate and ease the process of being able to take a Computer Based Test (CBT). The entire experience of using a computer will be as close to the actual experience of taking a CBT. All efforts will also be made to provide practice tests and questions so that candidates can familiarize themselves with logging into the system, go through the detailed instructions regarding the test, use the mouse, scroll down to the next question, navigate between questions, review and edit their options and submit questions.
NTA has established a network of TPCs across the country in about 622 Districts in 33 States/UTs, so that students of rural areas and others, get an opportunity to practice the Computer Based Test (CBT)before the exam. The TPCs will provide Mock Tests to the candidates of JEE (Main) and UGC-NET examinations.
For setting up TPCs, the NTA has engaged a large number of schools and colleges, that have 30 or more Internet connected PCs/laptops at one location. Depending on the demand, the TPCs function for one shift (02:30 PM – 05:30 PM) on all Saturdays and two shifts (11:00 AM – 02:00 PM, 02:30 PM – 05:30 PM) on Sundays.
How to register
Student registration for Mock Test in a TPC
For registration, students across the country can register themselves, online through NTA Website or using ‘NTA Student App’ available on Play Store. They can offer their choice of TPCs near their location.
Students are communicated about the allotted TPC, 1 day before practice date through SMS. In the allotted TPC, they can practice and can experience the actual method of taking a CBT. Computer Based Mock tests are provided to the candidates of JEE (Main) and UGC-NET, so that they can familiarize themselves with the logging process, going through detailed instructions regarding the test, using the mouse for attempting each question, navigating between questions, reviewing and editing their options and submitting questions as they would be required to do in the actual tests.
Institute registration to function as TPC
The following are minimum infrastructural facilities required from an institute/school/college:
- 30 Computers and more with necessary software
- Local Area Network (LAN) or Internet at all PCs with about 1 Mbps bandwidth.
- Power Backup for at least 30 Minutes of working.
- Labs/Rooms for TPC
- Necessary furniture.
- Necessary manpower for ensuring uninterrupted working of all units.
Institutions with the required infrastructure can register at NTA Website.
For more information, visit NTA Website
Source : NTA Website
