By Kokil Jain, Chemistry faculty at Pramana Institute (IIT Kanpur, 14 years teaching)
Every October, parents ask me the same thing: "We haven't decided on coaching yet. Is there any point in a scholarship test now?" My answer is yes, and the reason has less to do with the scholarship than most people think.
Pramana's free scholarship test, Prashast, runs from 31 October to 30 November 2026. It is online, 90 minutes long, and can be taken from home. Ranks and scholarship levels are announced after the test window closes.
Why a test helps before you decide anything
Most families choose coaching on reputation, distance or what a relative did. Very few start with the one thing that matters most: where the student actually stands today. A 90-minute paper in the JEE or NEET pattern answers that better than any conversation, because it shows which chapters hold up under time pressure and which do not.
That is why the test gives a score and a gap report straight after the student finishes. Even if you never join Pramana, that report tells you what to fix in the next three months.
Why the scholarship itself is worth a few hours
Coaching is a two-year cost for most families, not a one-time payment. Our fees are ₹1,00,000 + GST a year for Class 11–12, ₹1,20,000 + GST for the one-year dropper program and ₹60,000 + GST for Foundation (Class 9–10). A scholarship covers tuition for the full program and is renewed each year with good performance and attendance, so even a partial level adds up over two years.
| Level | Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Pramana Scholars – Top 10 | 100% tuition, plus free hostel and meals |
| Pramana Scholars – Next 10 | 100% tuition |
| Platinum | 100% tuition |
| Gold | 75% tuition |
| Silver | 50% tuition |
| Merit | 25% tuition |
The two Pramana Scholars tiers go only to students who meet the qualifying criteria, so they may not all be awarded. The other levels are based on the result. Every scholarship is confirmed after an in-person counselling-cum-academic interview at our Indore centre, held after board or annual exams.
Why it makes sense even for Class 9 and 10
Prashast is open from Class 9 to 12-pass (droppers). Younger students sit a Maths and Science paper. For a Class 9 or 10 student, the gap report is often more useful than for anyone else, because there is still time to fix the basics before Class 11 begins. Class 9 students are considered for the Class 10 Foundation program.
Why negative marking is the real lesson
The paper has 40 questions for 160 marks: 30 subject questions and 10 aptitude questions. A correct answer earns 4 marks, a wrong one loses 1, and a blank costs nothing. Students who attempt everything often score lower than students who leave the questions they cannot do. Learning that in a free test is far cheaper than learning it in JEE or NEET.
How to use the last week before the test
Revise, don't start new chapters. The syllabus is the previous class plus the current class up to October.
Take one timed 90-minute paper at home in the same slot you will book (10 AM, 2 PM or 6 PM).
Practise leaving questions. If you can't narrow a question to two options, leave it.
Do 10 aptitude questions a day. They count, and most students never practise them.
Check the device the day before. You need a phone or laptop with a front camera, a stable connection, a charged battery and the latest Chrome. The test is live camera-monitored.
Avoid 7–9 November. There are no slots on those days.
How to register
Registration takes about two minutes. A parent or guardian enters the student's name, class, city and goal (JEE, NEET or "Undecided") and verifies with an OTP on their mobile; then you book a slot. Registration is free and includes one year of practice on Pramana Abhyas.
Register for Prashast · Read about the scholarship test
If you are weighing where to study, our Programs page lists every course and fee, and the Kota vs Indore guide sets out the trade-offs. Questions? Talk to our admissions team or call +91 91091 04431.
FAQs
Is the scholarship test free? Yes. Registration is free and includes one year of practice on Pramana Abhyas.
Can I take it from home? Yes. It is online and live camera-monitored, on a phone or laptop with a front camera.
Who can take Prashast? Students of Class 9, 10, 11, 12 and 12-pass (droppers).
When will I know my scholarship? Your score and gap report appear right after the test. Ranks and scholarship levels are announced after the test window closes.
Is the scholarship final after the test? It is confirmed after an in-person counselling-cum-academic interview at the Indore centre, held after board or annual exams.
Does the scholarship cover the hostel? Free hostel and meals come only with the Pramana Scholars Top 10 level. All other levels cover tuition.
Are classes online? No. Pramana's classes are offline only, at Geeta Bhawan Square, Indore, in batches of at most 40 students. Only the test is online.