As you know, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is one of the leading multinational IT organizations that provides software services, consulting, and business solutions. Its services include application development, infrastructure management, business process outsourcing, and digital transformation solutions. The company is headquartered in Mumbai, India, and has a global presence in over 50 countries. It is consistently ranked among the top IT services companies in the world. To start a career with TCS is a dream of millions of young minds. Let us explore the TCS NQT exams and find out how you can make a career in TCS.
What is TCS NQT?
TCS NQT stands for Tata Consultancy Services National Qualifier Test. It is a common entrance exam conducted as a part of TCS Recruitment. The test evaluates your core cognitive abilities, including verbal, reasoning, and numerical abilities. It consists of two sections: Foundation and Advanced. You need to clear both sections to secure a job. While all candidates are encouraged to attempt both, the Advanced section is mandatory for those aspiring for Digital or Prime roles.
Foundation Section Of TCS NQT
The foundational level consists of questions that test your verbal and numerical ability, trait assessment, and reasoning. This round of tests evaluates your fundamental skills in these topics. Let us see the topics covered in the foundational section.
Reasoning Ability Topics
- The topics covered in reasoning ability test questions encompass questions based on skills that are essential for logical thinking and problem-solving.
- The topics include meaningful word creation and the identification of missing numbers in number series, both of which test numerical reasoning.
- Data sufficiency questions, focusing on rank-based logic and ages, evaluate critical analytical skills.
- Blood relations and coding-decoding exercises challenge individuals to decode relationships and interpret information systematically.
- Odd man-out problems, distance and directions tasks, and statement and conclusion analyses, all of which enhance deductive reasoning.
- Both easy and complex seating arrangements test spatial awareness and organizational skills.
- Other topics include analogies, mathematical operational arrangements, and the use of symbols and notations.
Verbal Ability Topics
- Verbal ability encompasses a range of important topics that enhance language skills and comprehension.
- Topics covered are synonyms and antonyms, prepositions, and sentence completion.
- Tests of active and passive voice.
- Spelling tests, spotting errors, and error correction.
- You also have passage completion, substitution, and sentence arrangement.
- Sentence transformation and idioms and phrases.
- Sentence improvement and paragraph completion exercises and joining sentences.
Numerical Ability Topics
- The topics covered under numerical tests include Arrangements and Series, Permutations and Combinations, Number System.
- LCM, and HCF, Percentages, Allegations and Mixtures, Probability, Ratios and Proportions, and Averages.
- Reasoning, Work and Time, Speed, Time, and Distance, and Geometry.
- Divisibility, Profit and Loss, Ages, Clocks and Calendar, Series and Progressions, Equations, and Averages.
- Area, Shapes, and Perimeter, as well as Numbers and Decimal Fractions.
Advanced Section Of TCS NQT
The advanced round covers subjects at a higher level of difficulty. It features coding assessments to evaluate your programming abilities, quantitative tests to measure your numerical skills, and reasoning assessments to determine your logical thinking. This round explores these topics in greater depth to assess your expertise and aptitude in more complex concepts.
Programming Logic Topics
The topics for the Programming Logic Test include Data Types, Input-Output Operations based on C, Functions and their Scope, Variables and Registers, Command Line Programming, Pointers, Inbuilt Libraries, Call By Value and Call By Reference, and Iteration and Recursion.
Coding Topics
Questions to evaluate your coding knowledge will be provided in the test. The topics covered include C++, Java, C, Perl, and Python.
What Are TCS NQT Variants?
NQT full form is the National Qualifier Test. There are three variants in the TCS NQT exams. They are explained below.
1) NQT -> NQT (Cognitive Test) -> Attitudinal Alignment (Psychometric Test): The first variant has the mandatory NQT, and is common for all the variants. You need to clear it before proceeding to the variants.. The NQT evaluates your cognitive skills, including verbal, numerical, and reasoning abilities.
After completing the NQT, you need to take the Attitudinal Alignment (Psychometric Test), which evaluates your personality traits, work styles, and workplace dispositions. This test evaluates the alignment of attitudes that are relevant to entry-level positions and provides a report based on the assessment.
2) Subject NQT -> IT Programming -> Basic Computer Skills -> Accountant: The second variant concentrates on specific job roles and skills. It starts with the Subject NQT, to assess your knowledge and proficiency in specific job roles. This includes a test of knowledge covering topics like pseudocode, programming constructs, algorithms, and the concepts of basic Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
You should also show your skills in programming languages such as C, C++, and Java. The assessment contains exercises to test your practical knowledge. For those targeting IT programming roles, the subsequent tests will also evaluate your basic computer skills and accounting skills.
3) Industry NQT -> Information Technology -> Banking -> Retail -> Banking and Financial Services: The third variant, Industry NQT, assesses your knowledge and understanding of industry-specific dimensions.
The Industry NQT enables you to express your expertise in multiple industries, including Information Technology, Retail and Banking and other Financial Services.
In addition to these variants, you also should attend the practice tests. Out of 4, there are e for cognitive and two for IT programming skills. You can make a maximum of five attempts in each practice test. This provides you enough preparation tips before taking the real assessment tests.
TCS iON
TCS iON is a new business unit of TCS that conducts the TCS NQT exam, an entrance exam for freshers. Clearing this exam can lead to job offers from several organizations, including TCS. TCS iON conducts TCS NQT several times a year. You can actively follow their website or social media posts for their announcements on the dates of exam. You need to pay Rs. 999 to write the exam.
TCS NQT Registration Process: How Can You Apply For The Exam?
The registration for TCS NQT has two steps. They are:
Step 1 – Create an account and register via TCS iON
To get started with the TCS iON Portal, you need to visit the website and should create a new account if you don’t have one. If you are an existing user, simply log in with your credentials. During the registration process, make sure to register as a learner and provide all necessary details, including your name, email ID, mobile number, and password. If you are under 18 years of age, don’t forget to select the “minor” option and include the information for your guardian. Finally, accept the terms and conditions and click “Create an account” to successfully complete your registration.
Step 2: Purchase The Variants Of TCS NQT
The NQT cognitive skill test is essential for those looking to participate in various NQT variants, such as Industry NQT and Subject NQT. If you opt for the NQT bundle pack, you will not be required to purchase a separate cognitive skills pack, as it is already included. To purchase the NQT cognitive skills pack, log into the TCS iON home page and click on “Apply Now,” then select the cognitive skills option. You can choose “Buy Now” or “Activate” if you have an activation key received via email.
New users have to create an account, while the existing users can comfortably log in with their credentials. After providing the necessary personal details and completing the payment process, an activation key will be issued. You can activate your pack by entering the key in the provided pop-up window. Once you confirm, you will be redirected to “My Dashboard,” and a confirmation message will be prompted to your registered email or mobile number. This process allows you to efficiently register and purchase the TCS NQT products you wish to pursue for your exam preparation. TCS NQT passing marks are mentioned in the official website of TCS iON.
Who Can Apply For The TCS NQT Exams?: An Overview Of The Eligibility Criteria
- If you are graduating with a B.Tech/ B.E/ M.Tech/ M.C.A./ M.Sc., and if you have scored 60% or above in your 10th, 12th grades and each semester of your degree, you can take the test.
- You should have maintained a CGPA of 6 (60%) every semester to appear for the TCS NQT.
- If you possess a certification in any programming language, consider it a bonus.
- You should be above 18 and below 28 years of age to appear for the exam. You can apply several times for the test if you stay within the given age limit.
- If you have an academic gap of more than 2 years, you cannot attempt the test.
- You need to be handy with the original documents of your identity, age proof and academic certificates for the exams.
Preparation Tips To Crack TCS NQT Exams
TCS NQT preparation is easy if you prepare well in advance with sincerity and concentration. Here are some valuable tips to help you crack the TCS NQT exams.
- The first step in your preparation towards cracking the TCS NQT is to learn about the marking schemes and get an updated syllabus. Find out the familiar and unfamiliar topics and start preparing accordingly.
- While preparing for math-related topics, go to your basics and start training. Tests of reasoning and numerical tests always have numerous sample questions. All you need is to “practice.”
- Work out a timetable that essentially includes all topics. Give enough breaks and have a combination of subjects/concepts to be learnt daily so you stay focused.
- You have plenty of study/preparation material for cracking the TCS NQT exams. These materials are available both online and offline. Invest and make use of them to get good practice.
- You can also work out numerous sample question papers from previous years. This strategy prepares you well and reduces tension while taking the exam.
- Practice time management and try solving all questions within the allotted time.
- Identify your area of weakness and concentrate more on improving the flaws. Solve as many question papers as possible.
How To Ace TCS NQT Exams?: Section-wise Preparation Tips
- Focus on your grammar and comprehension skills. Read newspapers, magazines and novels to enrich your vocabulary. Practice writing stories and essays to improve your written communication skills in English. TCS NQT qualifying marks depends on your thorough preparation, that should start before you finish your graduation.
- Practice a lot of sample questions that are available on the internet. Try solving all 30 questions within the allotted time of 50 minutes. You can download reasoning questions with solved answers and solve them daily.
- For numeric tests, start with the basics. Practice thoroughly the concepts mentioned in the syllabus, and revisit algebra, geometry, and basic arithmetics frequently.
- To improve your programming skills, gain deep insight into concepts such as branching, loops, error identification, and program output. Also, read and understand the concepts of data structures.
- There are many referral materials to help you practice the coding required for the TCS NQT exams. Solve the coding problems in the books to familiarize yourself with the coding challenges.
In conclusion, the TCA NQT exams are a threshold for a glorious career with a decent TCS Salary for thousands of college freshers. Be watchful for the announcements on the dates of exams and start preparing before you leave college. Dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning are the keys to winning the TCS NQT exams.