CBSE exams will be delayed: HRD Minister

By : SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW DELHI,  APRIL 27, 2020

‘Textbooks will be made available’

Pending board exams of the will only be held when the situation is back to normal and the government decides to completely lift the lockdown, Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank told students and parents during a Twitter interaction on Monday.

Across the country, exams in 12 subjects for Class 12 are yet to be held, while Class 10 and 12 students affected by the violence in north-east Delhi have even more pending papers.

Competitive examinations for entrance to medical and engineering education, such as NEET and JEE, would also be delayed until the situation is conducive, he told worried students.

Earlier, the Ministry had indicated that these exams would take place in the last week of May.

Mr. Nishank also assured them that NCERT was making every effort to make school textbooks available in all States, and that shops selling these books had been included in the category of essential services so that students would be able to access them.

Although online learning resources and televised teaching sessions had been made available for students to keep up with classes, Mr. Nishank urged parents not to pressure the children to study 24 hours a day.

The Union Minister will hold a videoconference with all State Education Ministers on Tuesday to discuss problems arising due to COVID-19 and the lockdown, the continuation of the mid-day meal scheme and the implementation of the flagship Samagra Shiksha scheme.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/

JEE Main 2020: How to prepare for exam amid coronavirus lockdown

Aspirants have an extended preparation time available, which can be put to effective utilisation. Students must stay positive and need to focus on revision and analysing their weaknesses.

By : R L Trikha  | EDUCATION | Apr 24, 2020  

  

Amid the COVID pandemic, the Nation is under lockdown, which has been extended till 3rd May. The second session of JEE Main (April Session) which were scheduled to be conducted from 5th April to 11th April 2020 has been postponed until further notice. Aspirants have an extended preparation time available, which can be put to effective utilisation. Students must stay positive and need to focus on revision and analysing their weaknesses.

As per the previous schedule, most of the aspirants must have gone through the complete syllabus and must be in revision mode now. While the whole Nation is under lockdown, and social distancing seems to be the only effective control method right now, there is an urgent need to deal positively with this crisis. The need of the hour is to utilize the extra time productively and effectively with plan in place to make the best of it.

1) Make a viable schedule - this phase should be effectively utilised for quick run through short notes and formulae and concepts at a glance of all chapters of the three subjects in a phased planned manner with equal time to each subject. The idea is to strengthen the concepts and their application by solving mock tests and past yea.rs papers. Learning as against mugging is the rule of the game.

2) Consult Online Classes - Online platforms are available that provide a virtual classroom ambience with complete notes, expert opinions, online classes, mock tests, etc. for best student preparation. One such portal is myPAT, powered by FIITJEE that allows them to learn by staying in the safety and security of their homes and ensure better learning outcomes, save time and increase the effective utilisation of time.

3) Follow Three Tier Revision - The stage has arrived where revision is the most important aspect of the preparation process and the best way to tackle the challenge is to have a well-structured and organized revision strategy. Three Tier Revision method suggests that students should first revise the topic on the same day, then after 3 days and then revise the same topic at the end of the week. This way, you will be able to get strong hold on topics and subjects which stay in your memory for longer period. If you revise a topic the same day when you study it, you find it easy to revise and grab; while on the other hand if you revise that topics after few days of studying it, it becomes difficult to understand and revise and consume more time.

“Study and application of Important Formulae: It is important to peruse and conceptually apply formulae in JEE Mains type questions even at the time of revision. This will help you in solving the questions within a short time in the exam. As most of the questions in Physics/ Mathematics will be based on conceptual application of formulae.

4) Take regular Mock tests- Mock tests play an important role in making familiar with strong and weak areas. To test and analyse your preparation, students are advised to take mock tests.

5) Stay motivated & Take regular breaks to relax - Do not sit for long hours at a stretch, but instead take small and frequent breaks at least after one to one and half hour(s) of focussed revision. These intervals are essential for the brain to assimilate, retrieve information and revive the energy, making you ready for the next sessions. There may be many distractions and thoughts running concurrently. Maintain calm and stay focussed with determination.

After analysing the mistakes, doubts, wrong attempts and weak areas from the round 1 of JEE Main, aspirants need to work on those areas more and more, without wasting time. This time should generally be made use of in consolidating one’s preparation, focusing on problem solving and overcoming the weaker areas in preparation. This extra time must be wisely utilised to perfect the ability to solve problems with a deep perception of concept involved, improving the time needed to solve the given problem, identifying the weak spots and correcting them. By taking regular mock tests and solving of past papers

Speed and accuracy must be increased.

Right Strategy and Time Management play a vital role in deciding the rank for an aspirant. The remaining weeks should be wisely used for revision, increasing speed and accuracy to solve problems,

Finally, it is the relative performance that will matter on the exam day. So, put in your best performance and you will ace JEE Main 2020.

(Author R L Trikha is Director, FIITJEE Group. Views expressed here are personal)

Source : https://www.hindustantimes.com

CBSE Results 2020: Officials share roadmap on evaluation, remaining exams, 10th 12th syllabus for new sessionEducation

By: Kanika Khurana Kanika Khurana Updated Apr 24, 2020 | 13:25 IST

CBSE Board Exam Dates, Results and Syllabus for new session were a few things discussed in a recent interaction with over 100 principals and CBSE officials. Check out key highlights on CBSE's roadmap as shared.

In a web meeting with over 100 school principals and educators, Central Board of Secondary Education - CBSE’s Controller of Examination, Dr Sanyam Bhardwaj shared the board’s roadmap for resuming evaluation work, conducting the remaining examinations as well as the plan for class 10th 12th syllabus for new academic session. Excerpts from the meeting are listed below.

CBSE Board Examination 2020 and Results thereof have been deferred by over a month now. With extended lockdown, the board has had to further defer its plan of conducting the remaining board examinations in April. Reduced academic session has also prompted CBSE to start working on a reduced syllabus for the new academic session for Classes 10 and 12.

Key highlights of the meeting as shared by one the the members in attendance are listed below. Parents may please note that the board is expected to release the official notification regarding the changes. These are proposals that were discussed with the Principals and educators of various schools, and are only indicative but not absolute.

CBSE Board Exams & Results 2020 Roadmap: Key Highlights On Remaining Exams, Evaluation process and Results

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Speaking on the most pressing matter, Dr. Bhardwaj mentioned that the board is planning to resume the evaluation work within 4 days of removal of the lockdowns. The board is considering the feasibility of work from home for the evaluators. This, however, has not been finalized as yet.

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As for the evaluation work, the board would be changing the process and involving all head examiners as well as the assistant head examiners in the evaluation work. This would further hasten the process of evaluation and help in timely results.

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As for the pending examinations, officials stated that the examination dates would be shared once approved by the Ministry of Human Resource Development based on the situation. The 29 examinations, officials shared, would be conducted. CBSE may, he added, conduct the exams even on a Sunday to accommodate for the lost time.

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CBSE would be finalizing the revaluation policies and may also use the statistical tools as detailed in byelaws for promotions, if required.

On Syllabus, attendance and evaluation in the new academic session

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Dr. Bhardwaj has clarified that the board would not be deleting any chapters. Instead, chunks of the existing chapters would be removed to reduce the syllabus for Classes 9 to 12. The same is being worked upon by NCERT and would be conveyed to the schools soon

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CBSE is also considering introduction of a continuous evaluation like MCQs, school based examination for academic year 2020-21. (A notice hinting the same was shared with schools by CBSE, wherein the board has asked teachers to focus on the new evaluation pattern and learning outcomes).

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CBSE has also asked schools to monitor the attendance of their students and is contemplating making 75% attendance mandatory for online classes. These would be considered for the board examinations 2020-21.

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For online classes, CBSE has advised the schools to use the government portals for mass teaching. Portals like Diksha as well as various broadcast channels are widely available for mass learning.

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Also, for classes 11 and 12, CBSE’s new mathematics subject, Applied Maths has started. The subject is applicable for Commerce, Humanities and PCB students who do not wish to pursue technical courses after their 12th.

Apart from these broad points, the CBSE official also spoke about the importance of encouraging students to aim on maximum outcomes. Teachers should also try and devise online classes in a manner that suits both parents and students.

As for the syllabus for classes 1 to 8, the board asked schools to reduce the same if they so required. More details would be made available on the websites. Addressing the concerns of principals regarding affiliation of schools, CBSE instructed schools to write to the board for extension of the affiliation to the Secretary and request for extension till June 30, 2020.

Source : https://www.timesnownews.com

CTET topic-wise preparation tips for July 2020 exam

TOI-Online | Apr 24, 2020, 08.27 AM IST

NEW DELHI: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Delhi will conduct the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) test on Sunday, July 5, 2020 for both papers - Paper I and Paper II.

The Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown is still going on in the country and the same will continue till May 3, 2020, there are no chances of CBSE deferring the CTET July exams.

The All questions in CTET will be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), with four alternatives out of which one answer will be most appropriate. Each carrying one mark and there will be no negative marking.

There will be two papers of CTET

(i) Paper I will be for the candidate who intents to be a teacher for classes I to V.

(ii) Paper II will be for the candidate who wants to be a teacher for classes VI to VIII.

If a candidate wants to be a teacher for both levels (classes I to V and classes VI to VIII) he/she will have to appear in both the papers (Paper I and Paper II).

Paper I (for Classes I to V) Primary Stage; Duration of examination-Two-and-a-half hours Structure and Content (All Compulsory):

S. No.	Subject	Question Type	Marks
1	Child Development and Pedagogy	30 MCQs	30 Marks
2	Language I (compulsory)	30 MCQs	30 Marks
3	Language II (compulsory)	30 MCQs	30 Marks
4	Mathematics	30 MCQs	30 Marks
5	Environmental Studies	30 MCQs	30 Marks
	Total	150 MCQs	150 Marks

Paper II (for Classes VI to VIII) Elementary Stage; Duration of examination - Two-and-a-half hours

Structure and Content (All Compulsory)

S. No.	Subject	Question Type	Marks
1	Child Development & Pedagogy (compulsory)	30 MCQs	30 Marks
2	Language I (compulsory)	30 MCQs	30 Marks
3	Language II (compulsory)	30 MCQs	30 Marks
4	Mathematics and Science (for Mathematics and Science teacher) OR	60 MCQs	60 Marks
5	Social Studies/Social Science (for Social Studies/ Social Science teacher)	60 MCQs	60 Marks
	Total	150 MCQs	150 Marks

For any other teacher - either (4) or (5)

How to prepare for CTET July 2020

Child Development and Pedagogy: The questions in this section will be asked on educational psychology of teaching and learning relevant to the age group of 6-11 years (for Paper I) and 11-14 (for Paper-II). The focus will be on understanding the characteristics and needs of diverse learners, interaction with learners and the attributes and qualities of a good facilitator of learning.

Important topics on Child Development and Pedagogy: CD and its relation to learning, Pedagogy Issues, Cognition & Emotions, Motivation and learning, Questions Related to Education Act, Socialisation processes, Influence of Heredity & Environment, Concept of Inclusive Education, Individual differences, Specially-abled Learners, Assessment and Evaluation, Questions Related to Theories, Processes of teaching and learning, Practical Questions and etc.

Language I: The questions in language I will focus on the proficiencies related to the medium of instruction.

Language II: A candidate may choose any one language as Language I and other as Language II from the available language options. Language II will be a language other than Language I. The questions in language II will focus on the elements of language, communication and comprehension abilities.

Mathematics and Environmental Studies (Paper-I): The questions will focus on the concepts, problem solving abilities and pedagogical understanding and applications of the subjects.

In all these subject areas, the test items will be evenly distributed over different divisions of the syllabus of that subject prescribed for classes I-V by the NCERT.

Mathematics and Science, and Social Studies/Social Science (Paper-II): The questions will focus on the concepts, problem solving abilities and pedagogical understanding and applications of the subjects.

The test items of Mathematics and Science will be of 30 marks each. The test items will be evenly distributed over different divisions of the syllabus of that subject as prescribed for classes VI-Vlll by the NCERT.

The questions in the test for Paper II will be based on the topics prescribed in syllabus of the NCERT for classes VI - VIII but their difficulty standard as well as linkages, could be up to the Senior Secondary stage.

Schedule of CTET - July, 2020

(The Paper-l will be held in the morning session and Paper-II in the evening session)

Date	Day	Paper	Timing	Duration
05-07-20	Sunday	Paper-I	09.30 AM to 12.00 Noon	2.30 Hours
05-07-20	Sunday	Paper-II	02.00 PM to 04.30 PM	2.30 Hours

Source : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Career opportunities after CA

By : TOI-Online | Apr 23, 2020, 07.59 AM IST

   

NEW DELHI: People say a Chartered Accountant (CA) is an institution in itself. After completing your CA, you are not only qualified to get a decent job for yourself but also you become a job giver. And the choice is always yours what you want to become. 

After clearing CA Final exams you become a member of Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI). Now you can use the CA prefix in your name. As you are a chartered accountant, you have almost all the choice on earth when it comes to a choice for a job. Remember there is not a single company or industry where CAs are not required.

Basically there are three types of opportunities you can explore a) Practice CA, b) Entrepreneurship or c) Join any CA firm.

If you wish to do practice as a CA you can do the followings 

Doing practice as an individual or as sole proprietor is an outdated concept these days, because of intense competition, pressure from clients. Hence it is advisable to start a partnership firm with a minimum four chartered accountants. You can also start a LLP firm in accordance with LLP act 2008. 

Chartered Accountants can enter into practice with 

Company Secretary in Practice

Chartered Accountant in Practice

Cost Accountant in Practice

Architect professional

Advocate as defined by Bar Council of India

Engineer (Chartered)

Actuary Professional

Starting consultancy firm/becoming partner of big audit

Owning or partnering in a big audit firm is a challenging task. In order to become a partner in an audit firm you need to start as an employee in that firm. Gradually you will attain various positions in the firm like from manager to senior manager to associate director and thereafter become partner.

Job in a CA firm

A Chartered Accountant can pursue career in following firms:

1) Internal Auditing

 2) Tax Auditing

 3) Forensic Auditing

 4) Career in Accounting and Finance

 5) Taxation Advisory (Both Direct and Indirect)

 6) Statutory Audit under applicable statutes

 7) Managing Treasury function

 8) Others like Bookkeeping, Finance Controller, Preparation of financials of companies, etc.

Work as a teacher

One can also do a part-time teaching if he/she is working in an institute and the firm allows him/her to work as a teacher. 

How to become a CA

After passing 12th class, you need to enroll yourself for CA foundation course through any institute approved by ICAI. After completing the foundation course, you will be promoted to CA Intermediate course.

There in the intermediate you have to clear examination of two groups (Group 1 and Group 2) having four subjects each. Only by clearing any group, you will be eligible for the CA Articleship, but before awarding the articleship you must have cleared both the groups.

After clearing the Group exams, you will be eligible for CA Articleship and then you need to clear the CA Final examination. After that ICAI will award you a degree and you will be eligible to use CA as a suffix to your name. In minimum five years you can be a Chartered Accountant.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/career-opportunities-after-ca/articleshowprint/75310500.cms

JEE Main, NEET, CLAT; check revised dates of these entrance exams as lockdown extended

By: Education Desk | New Delhi | Updated: April 24, 2020

As the lockdown has been extended, the candidates who are appearing for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET 2020) are quite worried about whether the engineering, medical entrance exams will be conducted. The HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal in a recent interview with the Indian Express said that the entrance examination will be held in June.

“The HRD Ministry is consulting stakeholders like the boards of examinations, IITs, and other agencies involved in logistical operations of JEE and NEET before announcing the next dates. To assess the possibility of conduction of online exams for higher education, the HRD ministry has constituted a task force under UGC,” Nishank said.

As COVID-19 lockdown extended, check status of various entrance exams

NEET: The medical entrance examination- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020 is also expected to be conducted in June, which was earlier scheduled on May 3. The NEET admit card is expected to be released by May-end.

Read| Lack of regional language content, infrastructure: Online education double trouble for hinterlands

CLAT: The Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2020 has been postponed again, and will be conducted on June 21. Earlier, the exam was scheduled to be conducted on May 10, it was then postponed to May 24.

The registration process will remain open till May 18 and those who have not yet applied for the exam can do so at the official website consortiumofnlus.ac.in.

JEE Advanced: After deferring the exam date of JEE Main, now the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-Delhi) has postponed the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Advanced 2020) to be conducted on May 17, 2020.

UGC NET, CSIR NET, JNUEE: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has extended the application deadline of various competitive examinations, following the directions from Ministry of Human Resource and Development (MHRD).

The online application process of admission to Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Exam (JNUEE) was to close on March 31, but it has been extended by a month till April 30. The application process for UGC NET, CSIR NET, NCHM JEE, and all other national entrance examination was extended by a month from their scheduled dates of closure.

AP EAMCET: The Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) has postponed the AP EAMCET – entrance exam for admission to engineering, agriculture and medical courses in the state-based colleges. The exam was scheduled to be held in May first week which stands postponed till further notice.

GUJCET: The Gujarat Common Entrance Test (GUJCET) was rescheduled due to lockdown. The entrance test dates will be announced after the lockdown gets over on May 3.

KEAM: The Kerala Engineering, Architecture and Medical entrance examinations (KEAM 2020) was postponed due to lockdown amid coronavirus pandemic. The entrance examinations are scheduled to be conducted on April 20 and 21, 2020.

MHT-CET: The State Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell, Maharashtra has postponed the dates of MHT-CET 2020, which was scheduled from April 13, 2020. “MHT-CET 2020, which was scheduled from April 13 to 23, 2020 has been postponed till further orders. This is being clarified in the interest of the candidates who have registered for MHT-CET 2020,” the notification mentioned.

BITSAT: The application process for the BITSAT (Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test) has been extended due to lockdown. Interested candidates can apply through the website- bitsadmission.com. The candidates can download the hall tickets from April 30 to May 18, 2020. The dates of the examination will be released later.

Source: https://indianexpress.com