NASSCOM Assessment of Competence-Technology(NAC-Tech)
Assessing present skills and enhancing ‘employability for engineering students’


NAC Tech has been conceived as an industry standard assessment and certification program to ensure the transformation of a "trainable" workforce into an "employable" workforce, hence creating a robust and continuous pipeline of talent for the IT/Engineering Industry.

It is targeted at final year and pre-final year students, who will be seeking employment opportunities in the IT sector.

The intent behind assessing these students is to identify the level of talent which is available across India, especially in Tier II and Tier III cities and provide feedback to them on areas they need to work on to improve their employability.
  1. About NAC-Tech – NASSCOM Assessment of Competence-Technology
  2. NAC-Tech Test Matrix
  3. Delivery of assessment
  4. Eligibility Criteria
  5. Benefits
  6. Score & Reports
  7. NACTECH-Solution approach
  8. NAC-TECH program Flow
  9. Next steps for organizations
  10. NAC-Tech Sample Test Questions
  11. Endorsing companies
  12. Contact NASSCOM

About NAC – Tech

The Indian IT industry is growing at a tremendous pace. India's biggest competitive advantage is the educated English-speaking talent pool, and hence it is also imperative that we have sustainable workforce development initiatives in place for the longer term. The industry, under the aegis of NASSCOM, is looking at ways and means to ensure that the future of this industry is even brighter. Proactive workforce development is becoming a major requirement for the Indian Engineering sector, specifically the IT.

NASSCOM is following a multi-pronged approach to facilitate manpower development for the short and long term. It is aiming to build a base of IT manpower by targeting various apex bodies and campuses across the country, which will be certified, in tune with the needs of the industry and geared up for the future requirements of the sector.

In this initiative, NASSCOM is looking at creating an Assessment and Certification program which becomes an industry standard and ensures the transformation of a "trainable" workforce into an "employable workforce. This program will be offered to all students who aspire to get into Technology / Engineering industry.

A part of its focus on evolving such a certification program is to provide a credible assessment solution which is integrated into the existing engineering program framework. NASSCOM also wants to conduct a "pilot run" administered across the country, run to calibrate the test so that it could be benchmarked against national and international expectations and requirements.

NAC-Tech Test Matrix

Part A- Mandatory Tests

S No Competency Tests Topics Covered Questions Duration(minutes) Mode of Administration Filter
1 Grammar and Comprehension Verbal Ability Synonyms,Articles,Prepositions,Reading Comprehension(Tech) 25 20 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online NA
2 Analytical Ability and Logical Reasoning Analytical Ability Venn Diagram,Puzzles,Data Sufficiency,Conceptualization,Pattern Completion,Series Completion 25 30 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online
3 Eye for Detail Attention to Detail Eye for Detail, Math Operator Replacement, Aptitude/Decision Making 20 20 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online
4 Programming Ability Programming Fundamentals Algorithms,Flowcharts,SDLC 30 40 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online
5 Learning Ability LearningAbility Test Learning Abilities 10 20 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online
6 Written English Written English Test Grammar, Vocabulary,Content,Spelling and Punctuation 1 5

Part B- Optional Test(Any one)

S No Competency Tests Topics Covered Questions Duration(minutes) Mode of Administration Filter
7 Domain Knowledge IT Concepts Test Introduction to Databases,Relationships,ER Diagrams,Constraints and Keys,Normalization,Indexing,Performance,Locking,Database Structures & Processes,Process Management,Deadlocks,Memory management,OS File Management,OS Security fundamentals,IO Management,Device Management,Network Technology,Network Topology,OSI Reference model,Protocols,Client Server Architecture,Linked Lists,Trees,Stacks,Queues,Dynamic Memory Allocation,Sorting and Searching Algorithms,Structures,Software Life Cycle(SDLC),Requirements Analysis,Design,Coding,Levels of Testing,Implementation,Maintenance,Development Models 40 60 Multiple Choice Questions - Paper/Pen Or Online NA
7 Domain Knowledge Electrical Engineering DC Machines,Electrical Fundamentals,Electrical Measurements,Control Systems,Circuit Analysis 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Electronics & Communication Engineering Electronic circuits,Digital Electronics,Communication Fundamentals,Micro Processors,Instrumentation,Rectification,DSP,Control Systems,Analog Electronics,Solid State Electronics 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Mechanical Engineering Elements of Mechanical Engineering,Material Science and Metallurgy,Fluid Mechanics,SOM,DOM,Tool Design,Production Technology,Thermodynamics,AC & Refrigeration,Engineering Drawing 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Civil Engineering Structural Engineering,Geotechnical Engineering,Hydraulics & Environmental Engineering,Transportation Engineering,SOM 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Chemical Engineering Momentum Transfer & Mechanical Operations,Heat Transfer,Mass Transfer,Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics,Chemical Reaction Engineering 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Textile Engineering Textile Polymer Science,Textile Fibre,Yarn Manufacturing,Fabric Manufacturing,Chemical Processing of Textiles,Manufactured Fibre Technologies,Textile Fibre Physics,Woven cloth construction and textile design 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Bio Technology Micro Biology,Cell Biology & Genetics,Bio Chemistry & Bio Energetics,Molecular Biology & Genetic Engineering,Immunology,Bioprocess & Bio reaction Engineering 40 40  
7 Domain Knowledge Telecommunication Engineering Electronics,Logic circuits,Microprocessors,Electromagnetics,Satellite Communication,Signals and systems,Measurements Electrical System Design,Electronic Design,Analog communication,Optical communication,Antennas,Data communication networks,Wireless Networking,Wave shaping techniques,Principles of communication engineering,Electrical networks Principles of control systems,Electronics Instrumentation,Elements of microelectronics 40 40  


Delivery of assessment

NAC Tech will be administered in either online or offline mode, depending on availability of infrastructure.

Eligibility:
BE, B.Tech, MCA, MSc-IT final year students

Preferred: 60 % aggregate in graduation, 12th standard & 10th standard

NACTECH - Benefits

Benefits for Students

  • A common, transparent process across companies in the IT/Engineering Sector
  • Ability to identify their strengths and areas of improvement and self-assess training needs

For Colleges
  • This assessment will help enable the colleges to generate a quantifiable picture of the knowledge and skill level of its students. Based on this feedback, it can approach various IT companies and companies in other verticals aggressively for placement opportunities.

Benefits for the industry
  • Creation of a national standard for recruitment on entry level talent.
  • Upto 50 % cost savings in industry's sourcing costs.
  • Ease of benchmarking for individual processes with industry standards.
  • Ability to create visibility and reach out to a larger audience.

Score & Reports:

Reporting of scores: Scores can be reported in multiple ways:

  • Number scores
    • Raw score
    • Weighted-average scores
    • True score
    • Percentage score
    • Percentile ranks

Analysis Reports:

For Whom Report type
The test taker
  • Percentage, percentile for each test component
  • Break up scores for sub-areas in that test
  • Overall feedback on performance
    		•
    The college Consolidated “student reports” and college-level skills analysis
    Other stakeholders Consolidated “state reports” with regional, nodal college-level analysis

    NACTECH- Solution Approach

    NACTECH - Program Flow

    Stage 1-Diagnostic Test
    Test takers will attempt diagnostic tests before a final test is administered. This has to be done 6 months before the Final certification test. The test will comprise questions from PART A only. A Training Input report will be generated after the end of the diagnostic test. This report can be used as feedback by the test taker to improve upon gap areas.

    Features of the diagnostic tests
    1. Diagnostic test will be distinct from Final Certification in terms of sections.
    2. Students interested in taking Diagnostic Test will be issued user id & password.
    3. Diagnostic Test will not be a proctored test.
    4. Diagnostic test will be conducted Online.
    5. Diagnostic test will consist of only PART A. Programming Fundamentals in PART A will not be administered to the interested engineering students of 1st year
    6. Students will get a feedback report after taking the test, which will be available for print on website

    Stage 2-Training
    Institutions/Organizations will administer internally their Employment Enhancement Program/Finishing School.

    Stage 3-Final Certification Test
    1. Candidates will be given user id & password for registration and print out of hall ticket through Nasscom website.
    2. Upon registration candidates will be issued NAC-TECH id, which will have to be used to take the test.
    3. The Final Test will be taken by candidates in batches on dates that will be pre-scheduled by Nasscom.
    4. Mode of administration will be either online or offline, depending on the infrastructure of the college.
    5. Final Score card will be issued to the students, which can be downloaded from Nasscom website.

    Stage 4-Facilitate Placement
    NASSCOM, via its member companies, will help facilitate the placement scenario.

    Stage 5-Analysis Report
    NASSCOM, on request, will provide an analysis report (region wise and nation wide) on the cost basis to the concerned stakeholder.

    Next steps for organizations

    Endorse the NACTECH Program. This will entitle access to a large pool of pre-assessed talent.

    NAC-Tech currently has endorsements from following companies

    APC, Cambridge Solutions, Cognizant, Convergys, Delphi, Hexaware Technologies, HSBC, Logica, Microland, Mphasis, NSN, Patni, Sasken, Silverline Technologies, Sundaram Infotech, Sundaram Fastners, SunGard, Sierra Atlantic, Tanla, Tata ELXSI, TESCO, Harita TVS, UBS, Value Source, Weir Minerals, Areva, Cable & Wireless, CCI Valve, Thomson Reuters, MIC Electronics, Nucleus Software

    Disclaimer:

    NAC Tech is open to all pre-final/final year Engineering/MCA/MSc(IT) students. However in combination with your excellent performance in the NAC-Tech, a consistent aggregate of 60 % or above in your graduation would be an industry preference.
    1. Each of the endorsing company will exercise their own short-list criteria.
    2. The employers may or may not consider your academic performance, details of past employment, etc for the purpose of final selection.
    3. You may use the score sheet for applying to companies announced to be recruiting through NAC-Tech. However a NAC-Tech score does not guarantee employment