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National Science Talent Search Examination – A Complete Guide
 

(NSTSE)

The National Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE) is one of India's most sought-after Olympiads that focuses on enhancing students' conceptual clarity in Mathematics and Science. Unlike conventional school exams that primarily assess  memorization, NSTSE is designed to evaluate students’ understanding, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities NSTSE acts as a diagnostic tool that highlights strengths and areas for improvement, helping students build a strong foundation for future competitive exams like IIT-JEE, NEET, AIIMS, GRE, GMAT, CAT, and many others




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Why is NSTSE Different from Other Exams?

Most school exams and traditional Olympiads test students on their ability to recall and reproduce information. However, NSTSE focuses on how well students have understood fundamental concepts and their ability to apply them in real-life situations. This ensures that students are not just exam-ready, but future-ready.

Some unique features of NSTSE include:

● Application-Based Questions: Requires critical thinking and logical analysis.
Skill-Based Assessment: Instead of testing memory, NSTSE examines
comprehension and reasoning.
Personalized Feedback: Students receive a detailed Student Performance Report
(SPR), which highlights their strengths and weaknesses. 

Who Can Participate in NSTSE?

NSTSE is open to students from Classes 1 to 10 from CBSE, ICSE, ISC, and various State Boards. Each class has a different question paper designed according to the respective academic level. 

Eligibility Criteria:

● Students from Classes 1 to 10.
● Open to individual registrations as well as school registrations.
● The syllabus aligns with CBSE but is suitable for all boards.

Exam Format

● Type of Questions: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
● No Negative Marking: Encourages students to attempt all questions without fear of
penalties.
● Duration: 60 minutes 

Exam Structure

● Duration: 60 minutes
● Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple Choice)
● Negative Marking: No negative marking for wrong answers

Division of Marks:
Class No. of Questions Total Marks
1 40 40
2 50 50
3 to 10 60 60
Marks Distribution

For Classes 1 & 2:

Mathematics: 15 Marks (Class 1), 20 Marks (Class 2)
● General Science: 25 Marks (Class 1), 30 Marks (Class 2)

For Classes 3 to 5:

For Classes 6 to 10:

● Mathematics: 25 Marks
● General Science: 30 Marks
● Critical Thinking: 5 Marks

● Mathematics: 25 Marks
● Physics: 10 Marks
● Chemistry: 10 Marks
● Biology: 10 Marks
● Critical Thinking: 5 Marks

NSTSE Syllabus (Class-Wise Breakdown)
Class
Topics Covered
Class 1

Mathematics: Numbers up to 100, Ordinal numbers, Addition, Subtraction, Length,
Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Geometrical Shapes.
General Science: Living & Non-living things, Plant life, Animal life, Human body, Air,
Water & Weather. 

Class 2

Mathematics: Numbers, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Length,
Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Shapes.
General Science: Living & Non-living things, Plant life, Animal life, Human body, Air,
Water & Weather, Rocks & Minerals, Our Universe.

Class 3

Mathematics: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Fractions, Length,
Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Shapes.
General Science: Animals, Birds, Soil, Air, Weather, Universe, Human Body, First
Aid.
Critical Thinking: Logical & Inductive Reasoning, Decision Making. 

Class 4

Mathematics: Large Numbers, Roman Numerals, Factors & Multiples, Fractions,
Geometry, Perimeter, Area.
General Science: Plant & Animal Life, Digestion, Hygiene, Teeth, Safety, Weather,
Universe.
Critical Thinking: Higher Order Thinking, Logical Reasoning. 

Class 5

● Mathematics: Fractions, Decimals, Measurement, Volume, Speed & Distance, Profit
& Loss, Geometry.
● General Science: Human Body, Soil, Moon, Matter, Force & Energy.
● Critical Thinking: Real-Life Applications, Logical Strategies. 

Class 6

● Mathematics: Algebra, Ratio & Proportion, Data Handling, Mensuration.
Physics: Motion, Light, Electricity.
Chemistry: Materials, Separation of Substances.
Biology: Food, Plants, Body Movements, Living Organisms.
● Critical Thinking: Higher Order Thinking Skills. 

Class 7

● Mathematics: Integers, Equations, Lines, Triangles, Perimeter, Area.
● Physics: Heat, Motion, Electric Current.
Chemistry: Acids & Bases, Physical & Chemical Changes.
Biology: Nutrition, Respiration, Reproduction, Transport in Organisms.
Critical Thinking: Logical Deduction, Decision-Making

Class 8

Mathematics: Quadrilaterals, Exponents, Factorization, Algebra.
Physics: Force, Friction, Sound, Electricity.
Chemistry: Coal & Petroleum, Combustion.
Biology: Microorganisms, Conservation, Food Production.
Critical Thinking: Application-Based Analysis. 

Class 9

Mathematics: Coordinate Geometry, Linear Equations, Circles, Surface Area &
Volume.
Physics: Motion, Forces, Gravitation, Work & Energy.
Chemistry: Matter, Atoms, Molecules.
Biology: Cells, Tissues, Food Resources.
Critical Thinking: Analytical Thinking. 

Class 10

Mathematics: Trigonometry, Quadratic Equations, Probability.
● Physics: Light, Electricity, Magnetism.
Chemistry: Chemical Reactions, Acids, Carbon Compounds.
Biology: Life Processes, Reproduction, Environment.
Critical Thinking: Strategic Problem Solving.



Why Should Students Participate in NSTSE? 

NSTSE is not just another Olympiad—it is a comprehensive assessment tool that can help students improve their academic performance and gain a deeper understanding of core subjects

Key Benefits of NSTSE

1. Early Exposure to Competitive Exams: The structured format prepares students
for future challenges like JEE, NEET, AIIMS, CAT, and GRE.

2. Conceptual Clarity: Helps in developing a strong foundation in Science &
Mathematics, ensuring long-term academic success.

3. Skill-Based Assessment: Focuses on logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and
application-based learning, rather than rote memorization.

4. National-Level Benchmarking: Students get to compare their performance with
thousands of peers across the country.

5. Detailed Feedback & Analysis: Students receive a personalized report
highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement, helping them focus on
weaker topics.

6. Awards & Recognition:
Top-performing students are rewarded with medals, cash
prizes, laptops, scholarships, and certificates.

How is NSTSE Conducted?

NSTSE is conducted both online and offline, allowing students the flexibility to choose their preferred mode of examination. 

Exam Structure

● Conducted in schools (offline) and at home (online for individual registrations).
● Separate question paper for each class.
● No negative marking, ensuring students feel confident while attempting the
paper.
● Questions are divided among subjects like Mathematics, Science, and Logical
Reasoning. 

Awards & Recognition

NSTSE not only challenges students but also rewards excellence by recognizing top
performers at different levels. 

National-Level Awards

NSTSE Topper Award: ₹2,00,000 cash prize for the highest scorer across all
classes.
Top 3 Rankers per Class: Laptops, Tablet PCs, and Mementos.
Ranks 4-10: ₹1,500 cash prize each.
Ranks 11-25: ₹1,000 cash prize each.
Ranks 26-100: Olympiad Resource Books + Online Subscriptions.
● All participants receive a Performance Report (SPR) and certificates. 

School & Teacher Recognition

Best Performance School Award: Top-performing schools receive special
recognition.
Best Mentor Awards: Teachers and Principals of top schools receive cash prizes
and appreciation certificates.
State-Level Awards: Top-performing students from each state also receive medals
and certificates.

How to Register for NSTSE?

There are two ways to register for the NSTSE exam:

1. Individual Registration

Students can directly register online through the Unified Council website. Payment can be
made via:
● Net Banking
● Debit/Credit Cards 

2. School Registration

Schools can register students in bulk and send a single consolidated Demand Draft
(D.D.) for all students appearing for NSTSE. The Demand Draft should be drawn in favor of:
Unified Council, payable at Hyderabad.
For further details, schools can email the Unified Council. 

Why NSTSE is a Game-Changer for Students?

NSTSE is not just an exam—it’s a learning experience that helps students identify their strengths and weaknesses, improve their  conceptual understanding, and their  conceptual understanding, and build confidence. Unlike traditional tests that only measure how much students have memorized,NSTSE focuses on real understanding and practical application. 


By participating in NSTSE, students can:
● Develop strong problem-solving skills.
● Get a clear idea of their academic standing at the national level.
● Receive valuable insights on areas that need improvement.
● Win scholarships, awards, and recognition.
NSTSE is the perfect platform for young learners to test their knowledge, sharpen their
skills, and take the first step towards a successful academic and professional future

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