NASSCOM Assessment of Competence-Technology(NAC-Tech)
An industry standard assessment for creating 'assessed and benchmarked' quality talent
pool of IT / Engineering students
1. About NAC-Tech
2. Conceptualization of NAC-Tech
3. Key Features of NAC-Tech
4. Fee for NAC-Tech
5. NAC-Tech Test Matrix
6. Key Benefits To Various Stakeholders
7. Employment Facilitation for NAC-Tech Test Takers
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
9. NAC-Tech Infrastructure Requirements
10. Training and Development
11. Contact NASSCOM
12. Official Vendors For NAC-Tech
13. Request For Conducting NAC-Tech
14. Access NAC-Tech Sample Paper
About NAC-Tech
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 / Engineering 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.
The test assesses the basic employability skills required for the IT-Engineering industry. The assessment has
been revamped and shall be available for colleges and students.
Conceptualization of NAC-Tech
In-depth meetings with the large recruiters in the industry were conducted to understand their recruitment
practices, cause of attrition desired skills in a candidate, etc. Based on this, a job-skill matrix was developed
which formed the basis for the design of this assessment program. Core and Working Committees from the
industry were formed and constant interactions were made to make sure that the program was in line with
the industry requirements. An evaluation committee was set up to finalize the vendors and decide on the
approach to the pilot. Multi-tier evaluation of the vendors happened after the initial interaction. The
identified vendors provided the content and technology to run the test. The companies that have helped
develop the assessment program are - Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, TCS and Wipro.
Key Features of NAC-Tech
Eligibility for NAC-Tech
- All 2016, 2017 & 2018 Engineering candidates are eligible to take the test
- Preferred Scores of candidates: 60% aggregate in Graduation, 12th standard & 10th standard
Fee for NAC-Tech
Students can either appear for NAC-Tech Part A or NAC-Tech Part A+B
NAC-Tech Part A: INR 250 per student
NAC-Tech Part A+B: INR 310 per student
Apart from this, Rs. 70 / Rs. 60 as center fee (for infrastructure at retail center or college respectively) can
be chargeable, if applicable. Test fee, once paid, is non-refundable and non-transferable.
NAC-Tech Test Matrix
NAC-Tech Part A (Only part A must be attempted by all candidates)
Duration
Mode of
Skill Competencies Checked (in
delivery
mins.)
Verbal building blocks by evaluating skills like
grammar, spellings, punctuations and vocabulary. To
Communication Ability 11 Online
assess English usage by evaluating skills like structure,
arguments and verbal reasoning.
Comprehension of English passages and ability to
make inferences from a large amount of information.
Reading
Be able to connect the dots and make an assessment 10 Online
Comprehension
based on information and ideas spread across the
passage.
Analytical Ability and Problem solving skills through questions on
20 Online
Logical Reasoning quantitative reasoning. To assess candidate's logical
skills by evaluating skills like Deduction, Induction and
Visualization.
Attention to Detail Eye for detail. 5 Online
Awareness of and ability to work in an organisational
Ability to manage context through questions around organisational
14 Online
work and safety policy, procedures, team structure, time management
and health and safety issues
total duration 60 mins.
NAC-Tech Part A+B (Both part A & B must be attempted by all candidates).
Duration
Mode of
Skill Competencies Checked (in
delivery
mins.)
Computer Knowledge and understanding of basics of a computer,
6 Online
Fundamentals its components and functions, instruction cycle
Knowledge and understanding of system and operating
Operating
software, process management, memory management, 4 Online
Systems
file system management and device management
Knowledge and understanding of Networking, inter-
Networking 4 Online
networking and distributed networking
Understanding and application of files and Databases,
RDBMS 4 Online
Entity Relationship Modelling, Normalization and SQL
Understanding and application of phases of SDLC and its
SDLC 4 Online
implementation models
Understanding and application of phases of SDLC and
itimplementation modelsProblem solving ability (i.e.
understanding and application of Logic and Problem
Solving techniques, Algorithm Design Techniques, Sorting
Algorithms &
Algorithms, Basic Data Structures and Analysis of
Programming 4 Online
Algorithms)
Fundamentals
and Programming ability (including Basic Programming
Concepts, Control Structures and Best Practices in
Programming, Arrays and Pointers, String Handling,
Functions, Code Optimization Techniques)
Importance of architecture, process to identify the
communication, control and frame work of subsystems,
Design / System
output of design process, early stages of system design 4 Online
Architecture
process, major subsystem components, Basics of
software engineering and system architecture
total duration 30 mins.
Key Benefits To Various Stakeholders
Job Aspirants / Test Takers
A common, transparent recruitment process across IT / Engineering companies.
Ability to identify self strengths and weaknesses through test scores.
Detailed feedback on their knowledge and skills help them decide career opportunities in different
areas of IT.
Employment facilitation using NAC-Tech scores.
Educational Institutes
Enable the college to generate a quantifiable picture of the knowledge and skill level of its students.
Approach industry aggressively and in a more organized way for placement opportunities.
Government
Employment generation through increased employability of talent.
Help in attracting serious investors.
Preparing the students on skills that act as pre-requisites to work in the industry.
Will help create a concept of 'education' to 'employability'.
Industry
Industry gets a pool of pre-assessed candidates mapped against competencies required for entry
level professionals.
It helps them reach out to a wider geography and access talent from tier II and tier III cities and
institutions.
Employment Facilitation for NAC-Tech Test Takers
Scores of all NAC-Tech test takers are shared with NASSCOM members via the NAC-Tech portal, for
companies interested to hire from the NAC-Tech pool of candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What role do IT companies play in NAC-Tech?
The test is developed and supported by the NAC-Tech Council comprising of companies that conduct
large recruitments like Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, TCS and Wipro. The test identifies the desirable
skills in fresh graduates that are essential, indicating their employability.
During the current phase and the times to come, industry will play a more crucial role in lending
credibility / endorsement to the NAC-Tech and will help ensuring that this program gets
differentiated amongst other similar products which are available in the market.
What are the skills being assessed in NAC-Tech?
Please see "NAC-Tech Test Matrix" section above
What is the minimum educational qualification / eligibility required to participate in the
program?
Please see the eligibility criteria under the section 'Key Features of NAC-Tech'.
Are there any training programs / courses that one needs to attend before attempting
NAC-Tech?
Since NAC-Tech encapsulates skills which are generic in nature, NASSCOM does not
endorse/recommend any Training or Training Company for the preparation of NAC-Tech. However,
there are very many training programs, specific to the foundation skills, which are available across
the country that may be attended if found convincing by the candidate.
How to participate in the program and take the test?
The test is available since January 2015 for candidates.
The candidate will be able to take the test through:
o National drive being conducted for off campus & on campus candidates, from January 2015
o Independently through retail centres (information can be sought by sending a request to
nactech@nasscom.in) from February 2015 (specific timelines will be soon published here).
Does one need to pay for this program?
Please refer to the section of NAC-Tech Fee for this.
Will people have access to NAC-Tech from small / tier-II, III cities?
Retail model will cater to small towns/cities. However, currently, with the two above-stated
approaches, these towns/cities can still be served by the organizing bodies (i.e. state / college /
university / institute).
What is the progress on NAC-Tech initiative?
In the last few years, over 200,000 students have taken the test across the country.
Who will own this program going forward?
NASSCOM, on behalf of the industry, will continue to play the central role. However, the business &
governing model of this program, in view of long term, is under consideration.
NAC-Tech Infrastructure Requirements
To know about infrastructure requirements to conduct NAC-Tech, please click NAC-Tech Infrastructure
Requirements
Training and Development
NASSCOM with a collective effort from key IT companiesAccenture, Cognizant, HCL, PMI, Infosys,
Microsoft, TCS, and Wiprohas developed the Foundation Skills in IT (FSIT) program with a view to enhance
the skills that students need, to become industry ready. The Foundation Skills in IT (FSIT) training program
is aimed to empower students with IT related skills at the entry level. For more information about the FSIT
program, you can download the Outcomes Based Framework for FSIT.
Contact NASSCOM
For further details on NAC-Tech, please contact
Dr. Sandhya Chintala, Vice President NASSCOM and Executive Director -Sector Skills Council NASSCOM
Ms. Nisha Chaudhary, Senior Associate, NASSCOM
Email: nactech@nasscom.in
Official Vendors For NAC-Tech
With the participation of the Industry Council, Aptech Assessment and Testing Solutions (Attest),
MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd and TCS iON have been chosen by NASSCOM as the official vendors for
holding the NACTech administrations across the country. Under the aegis of NASSCOM, these vendors can
spearhead and conduct NAC-Tech assessment for individual colleges, universities, companies, etc.
About Aptech Assessment and Testing Solutions (Attest)
Aptech Assessment & Testing Solutions is a 100% owned subsidiary of Aptech Ltd, offers complete
technology based contemporary assessment solutions to institutions and organizations. Parent company
Aptech Limited, a pioneer in IT and multimedia training has a rich experience of over 25 years in education
and training. Aptech is a global learning solutions provider for individuals and corporate, having its presence
at 40+ emerging countries across 5 continents.
Aptech Assessment & Testing Solutions, an ISO 27001 certified testing service provider has an experience of
more than 10 years in implementing innovative assessments using computer based mode of delivery that
enhances performance; ensuring reliability and security in a cost-effective manner. With pan-India presence
through network of 75 testing centers and more than 250 authorized education partners with a combined
capacity of delivering more than 100,000 CBT in a single session. Since its inception in 2004, it has
delivered more than 10 million CBT.
About MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd
MeritTrac is Indias Largest Testing & Assessment services company in the private sector. MeritTrac provides
innovative assessment services to leading Corporates, educational institutions and government
organizations.
MeritTrac, a Group company of Manipal Global Education has over the last fourteen years been developing
and administering tests for over 400 customers in more than 350 cities through network of certified test
centres. As a pioneer in the testing space, MeritTrac has been leveraging its ISO certified test processes in
transforming the way assessments are managed and delivered in India. MeritTracs services offer great
quality, reliability and security for consistently delivering high-stake assessments.
MeritTrac has garnered significant expertise in Test Research, Design, Development and its Delivery &
Administration for Computer Based as well as paper based tests. MeritTrac has over 250 assessment
specialists and a network of over 1,500 certified test administrators across the country. MeritTrac is a
dedicated assessment company without any interest in conflicting business sourcing through database and
training.
About iON Assessment Management Solution from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
iON Assessment Management solution provides end-to-end services to configure and schedule examinations
starting from creating online and offline assessments to configuring attendance, hall tickets, creating drives,
as well as assigning a test center and exam shift to candidates. The solution also manages the distribution of
question papers, the Evaluation process, in addition to Results Management and providing Support Service.
The iON Assessment Management solution allows leading educational institutions, government bodies and
other examination conducting organizations to simplify the process and conduct digitized, secure, and large-
scale assessments.
Request For Conducting NAC-Tech
Vendor
States to be addressed Contact details
Name
Tamil Nadu
Puducherry
Goa
Name: Mr. Rajan Wadhwa
Aptech Delhi / NCR Email: nactech@aptech.ac.in
Phone: +91-9810856710
Haryana
Chandigarh
Kerala
Telangana
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Rajasthan
Uttaranchal
Gujarat
Maharashtra
Punjab
Karnataka
West Bengal
Madhya Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu & Kashmir
Name: Mr. Somdev Chaudhuri
Andhra Pradesh
MeritTrac Email: somdev_c@merittrac.com
Jharkhand Phone: +91-9900150969
Chhatisgarh
Odisha
Bihar
North Eastern States - Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur,
Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura
NAC-Tech Sample Papers
1. Sample Paper - PART A
2. Sample Paper - PART B
