National Chemistry Talent Contest

Introduction

What is NCTC?

National Chemistry Talent Contest (NCTC) is one of the contests of National Science Talent Contest (NSTC). NSTC is held every year under the umbrella of 'STEM Careers Programme' which is a joint venture of 'Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS)' and 'Higher Education Commission (HEC)'.

You can represent your country Pakistan in International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) through this contest.

What is IChO?

The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is an annual chemsitry competition for high school students. It is one of the International Science Olympiads. Each national delegation is made up of at most five student competitors plus two mentors (one of them is nominated as head of the delegation), selected on a national level. For their efforts, about half of the participants are awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals or an honorable mention.

For more information, visit our dedicated page for IChO.

You may visit the official website of IChO for more details.

How can I represent Pakistan in IChO?

To represent Pakistan in International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), you have to pass the Screening Test of NSTC (Chemistry). Then, the students who qualified in Screening Test will participate in Training/Selection Camps held at the Home Institute (HI) of NCTC. 5 students will be selected, on the basis of their performance in these camps, for participation in the IChO.

Home Institution (HI)

The home institute of NCTC is 'H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry (International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS)' in Karachi. Its reputation for scientific research and training extends far beyond the country's borders. ICCBS emerged from the generous support from the private sector and was sustained by the government's grants. In the last 51 years has earned major recognition from Pakistan, apart from training thousands of young researchers from home and abroad in frontiers areas of science and technology.

Are you curious to know more about H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry? Visit the official website of HEJ RIC.

Phases of NCTC

Phase-I

In this phase, educational institutions throughout the country are invited to nominate their brilliant Intermediate Part-I/ As Level students who have secured 75% or more marks in Matric/O Levels. Individual students may also apply on their own.

Phase-II (Screening Test)

Screening Test is held in major cities of the country every year. Students of different academic levels (such as 9th/10/11th/O Levels/As Level) take this test. Among these students, the top 50 are selected, on basis of their performance in the Screening Test, for the next phase (i.e. Training/Selection Camp).

Phase-III (1st Training Camp)

These 50 students are invited to the first training camp at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry. Among these top 50, 12-15 are selected for the second training camp. This selection is based on the basis of their performance in camp and exam on the last day of this camp.

Phase-IV (2nd Training Camp)

These 12-15 students are then invited to a second training camp at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry. The experimental and theoretical training during this camp is more focused. Again, the top 7-8 students are selected from these, on the basis of their performance in the exam on the last day of this camp.

Phase-V (Selection of Team Pakistan)

These 7-8 students are invited to another training camp at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry. It is also identical to previous camps. At the end of this camp, five winners of NCTC are announced. These five students actually constitute 'Team Pakistan' for participation in the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) of the respective year.

Registration for NCTC

Eligibility

• Students of 9th, 10th, & 11th (Matric/O-Levels & Intermediate-I/A-Level-I)
• Aggregate marks of 60% or more core subjects i.e. Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics in the last exam
• Age less than 20 years on 30th June 2023
• Students who are currently studying in Intermediate (Part-II)/ A Levels (Part-II) & university students are NOT eligible to apply.
• Students of Sindh Board/Technical Boards/O-Level Part-1/A Level Part-1 to complete the online registration form, they may first enter the marks of optional Science subjects and then enter the marks% of any other subjects (if required).

Note: For O/A Levels Students, equivalent percentages for Grades are as follows : A*= 90, A= 85, B= 75, D = 55 , E= 45

Apply Now

The registration for NCTC is open. Click below to apply for NCTC.

During the registration for the Screening Test of NSTC, you will select Chemistry as your principal subject as you are participating in NCTC.

Sample Paper

Sample Paper (provided by STEM Career Programme-Organizer of NCTC) is outdated but may be helpful.

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