Filter topics to excel

Ramesh Batlish 

The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) assesses students understanding of science subjects. The prestigious competitive exam is ideal for students aspiring to make a career in scientific research. Here is a subject-wise guide to prepare for the exam. 

Physics:  Class XI syllabus is the foundation for any competitive exam. Especially, students appearing for the KVPY SA level should be thorough with the syllabus. Focus on topics like optics, mechanics and electromagnetism. At the same time, do not ignore topics like thermodynamics, Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) and waves.

Students appearing for SX level should practice a lot of numerical problems. Your concepts should be clear and you must focus on kinematics, gravitation, fluids, heat & thermodynamics, waves & sound, capacitors & electrostatics, magnetics, electromagnetic induction, optics & modern physics.

Mathematics: You must have basic knowledge of geometry and number theory. Other mental ability-based questions are picked from topics like algebra, quadratic equation, series and progression, P&C and basic geometry. Fundamental topics like circles, trigonometry and sequence and series guarantee marks. Such topics, once thoroughly revised, ensure a high score. Students must go through these at least once before the exams, as three-four questions are expected from these topics. For those appearing for the KVPY SX level, questions from topics like integration, statistics, vector algebra and 3-D geometry are expected. Out of the three questions from the topics, one from each will be easy. Thus, scoring marks will be easier. A few scoring topics are  application of derivatives, matrices and determinants and limits. Expect one-two questions from these topics.

Chemistry: Students appearing for KVPY SX should be thorough with the periodic table and consult NCERT books for inorganic chemistry. Concepts of organic chemistry should be clear and practiced regularly. Solve numericals to score high in the physical chemistry part.  Pay attention to coordination chemistry and chemical bonding in inorganic chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical and ionic equilibrium, mole concept in physical chemistry and organic chemistry. Other topics like atomic structure, chemical bonding, and organic chemistry are important as well. Glance through inorganic chemistry as the weightage is less. If the basic concept is clear, even a seemingly difficult question can be answered.

Taking mock tests and solving previous year question papers during the course of preparation will help students score more.

— The writer is a FIITJEE expert

Biology for Class XI (SA category only) — It's relatively easier to score marks in biology as compared to other subjects. If a student is thorough with Class IX and Class X NCERT and has gone through some important topics, then a student can expect a score of more than 80 per cent.

Some of its scoring and important topics are

1. Genetics 

2. Cell and biomolecule

3. Physiology (both animal and plant - specially photosynthesis in plants and control and coordination in both animals and) plants

4. Health and disease are extremely important from the exam point of view. Questions from these topics can be from Class XI and sometimes Class XII books. Therefore, a student preparing for KVPY are advised to selectively read these topics.