APTITUDE, INTEREST, PERSONALITY FOR CAREER

The world is filled with various career choices ranging from medicine to mass communication, engineering to event management, marine biology to information technology. Selecting the right career is very important as career spans one's adult life and defines an individual, the kind of lifestyle one has, the people one interacts with. In short one's career has an impact on the quality of one's life. Applying for higher education is a critical decision, both financially and emotionally. Therefore, it is mandatory to invest adequate time and effort in order to make the right career decision.

A large number of students continue to choose a career based merely on the fact that their friends are doing the same thing or because their parents told them to do so. This, however, may not be the best way to go about it.

  • Trying to select subjects in school?
  • Are you confused?
  • Stressed about finding the right job for you?
  • Not sure what you what to do as a career?
  • Have too many interests or not really interested in most things?
  • What is your personality type?
  • Is your personality fit for the job that you feel dissatisfied about?

The answer to all the above questions is to understand one's Aptitude, Interests and Personality.

Two major questions are always asked with respect to Aptitude testing and academic pathway planning.

  • 1. What is the need for an aptitude test? I already know what my child is good at?
  • 2. When is my child eligible for an aptitude test?

Well the response to both these questions is very straightforward.

An aptitude test is required for the following:
  • Students are eligible for the test after the 7th grade.
  • Students in 8th and 9th for their subject selection
  • Students in 8th and 9th for their subject selection
  • Curriculum selection – IGCSE – A levels, IBDP, ISC
  • Students in 11th and 12th to select their Bachelors degree
  • Post graduation to select their Masters specialization
  • Those who are dissatisfied with their current job and looking for a shift, also use the aptitude test to know where their interest lie and choose a career based on the result.

When choosing a career it is extremely important that the aptitude, interest and personality are all in sync. Understanding one's strengths and weaknesses allows the individual to work on them and to build up on their weaknesses while it helps to maintain and to fully utilize their strengths. It helps one to discover their inner talents. Based on interest and a wide range of choices, one can identify the right field and career. Personality helps you to succeed in work. As the individual identifies the personality traits that are required for the task and their ranking on the same, they can work on them which in turn allow them increase their chances at success.

Frequently asked question:

Q. What is Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 to appear in CBSE class X?

A. All schools affiliated to CBSE follow the NCERT curriculum. This ensures the same standard across the country and benefits those students whose parents are employed in transferable jobs. Most entrance exams conducted for professional courses, like NEET, IITJEE, CAT are based on the CBSE syllabus. Scheme-1: (School Conducted) For those who do not wish to move out of the CBSE System after Class X. Scheme -2: (Board Conducted) For those who wish to move out of the CBSE System after Class X i.e. who wish to join institutions/ schools/ Junior Colleges affiliated to Boards other than the CBSE.

Q. What is the difference between ICSE & ISC?

A. The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, a private, non-governmental board of school education. ICSE is KG-10 examination for students in India. Seven subjects are to be taken by the candidates, of which four are compulsory and three are elective from a list of subjects. Indian School Certificate (ISC) is an examination, conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations for Grade 12. The subjects of examination include English as a compulsory subject and a list of elective subjects.

Q. Which are the international boards?

A. There are 4 programmes for students aged 3 to 19. It helps to develop intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills to live, learn and work in a rapidly globalizing world.
  • 1. International Baccalaureate (IB)
  • The IB program is practical and application-based. It has a broader spectrum of subjects that lead to all-round development. There are no externally evaluated examinations till the Middle Years Program (Class 10). The focus of the IB is on 'how to learn' and how to use that knowledge. The purpose of IB is to produce global citizens but it can be well-integrated with the local curriculum. Hindi can be offered as a second language in the IB Diploma Program.

  • 2. International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
  • It is offered to students aged 16 to 19. It is equivalent to the Indian Class XII. Here students study 3 subjects at the higher level and 3 at the standard level.

  • 3. International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
  • The IGCSE has been developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations for school students, in the 14-16 age group. Many students finishing the IGCSE move on to post-16 study to A-Levels.

  • 4. AS and A levels
  • It is equivalent to Indian Class XI and XII. In A levels students study English plus other 3 or 4 subjects.


Look out for the next article for more questions and to understand the system better

Find your future, make a choice and succeed Success is determined by attitude along with aptitude