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Indian School Talent Search Exam The Ultimate Olympiad for Young Scholars in India 

(ISTSE)

Are You Ready to Test Your Academic Potentia

In today’s competitive academic world, students need more than just classroom learning to excel. Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is an international-level scholarship Olympiad designed to assess and enhance the intellectual capabilities of students from Class 1 to Class 10. It is one of the most prestigious Olympiad exams in India, providing students with a golden opportunity to showcase their talent, win
scholarships, and gain national and international recognition
Whether you are a young genius who loves solving complex problems or a parent looking for the best Olympiad classes in India to help your child prepare for such challenges, this blog has all the information you need! .

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What is ISTSE?

The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is a national and international
scholarship Olympiad designed for Indian students. It aims to evaluate students’
intellectual potential across four key subjects: 

● Mental & Logical Ability
● Mathematics
● Science
● English

This exam provides students with an early exposure to competition, helping them
sharpen their critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. 

The ISTSE Olympiad is conducted in two formats:

1. ISTSE Online Scholarship Olympiad – Summer 2025 (For Direct Candidates) 

Students can participate from the comfort of their homes using a laptop, desktop, or
tablet with a webcam and internet connection. 

Exam Dates:

● Class 1-3: May 18th, 2025
● Class 4-6: May 17th, 2025
● Class 7-10: May 11th, 2025

2. ISTSE Paper-Based Scholarship Olympiad – 2024-25 (Only through Schools) 

The offline mode is conducted in registered schools. 

Exam Date: February 4th, 2025
Last Date to Register: December 15th, 2024

Why Should You Participate in ISTSE

The ISTSE Scholarship Olympiad is not just another competitive exam; it is a gateway
to excellence! Here’s why you should consider participating:

1. Scholarship Opportunities

Top-performing students receive scholarships up to ₹1800 per month for a year, along
with trophies and medals. 

2. National & International Recognition

Students receive certificates and medals based  on their scores:
Gold Medal: 95% and above
 Silver Medal: 90% - 94.99%
Bronze Medal: 80% - 89.99%
Participation Certificate: 60% - 79.99% 

3. Boost Academic Skills

The exam covers topics from CBSE, ICSE, and State Board syllabi while also
enhancing logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. 

4. Exclusive Video Interview for Top 10 Scorers

The top 10 students from each grade go through a 30-minute video interview (worth
100 points) to determine their final ranking. 

5. Fair & Transparent Evaluation

ISTSE is India’s first online Olympiad with AI-based anti-cheating technology to
ensure fair exam conditions.

ISTSE Exam Format & Syllabus

The ISTSE Olympiad tests students on multiple subjects using multiple-choice
questions (MCQs). 

Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions:
35 Questions (Class 1-4)
● 50 Questions (Class 5-10)
Negative Marking: Yes

Syllabus Breakdown:

Subject

Weightage

Mental & Logical Ability

9%

Mathematics

24%

Science

24%

English

12%

Scholars Section

15%

Fair Play (AI-based

16% 

Mathematics: Number system, algebra, geometry, fractions, ratios, percentages, probability.
Science: Physics, chemistry, biology, natural resources, and environment.
 English: Grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, sentence structuring.
Mental & Logical Ability: Coding-decoding, analogy, patterns, mirror images,
direction sense.
Pro Tip: The Scholars Section includes higher-order thinking questions from
Mathematics and Science to challenge students beyond textbook knowledge!

Class  Mental & Logical
Ability
Mathematics Science English Language  
Class 1 Patterns,
Classification, Grouping,
Analogies, Odd
One Out 
Numbers,
Addition, Subtraction, Time,
Money, Geometry
Living &
Non-Living,
Plants, Animals, Human Body, Air & Wate

Word Power,
Nouns, Verbs,
Adjectives, Prepositions,
Comprehension 

Class 2 Spatial
Understanding,
Grouping,
Measuring Units,
Analogy, Ranking
Test 
Number Sense
(3-digit), Addition,
Subtraction, Multiplication,
Division 

Plants, Animals,
Human Body,
Food, Housing, Transport 

Word Power,
Articles, Pronouns,
Tenses, Conjunctions,
Comprehension
 
Class 3 Patterns, Odd One
Out, Series
Completion, Ranking Test,
Coding-Decoding
  
Number Sense
(4-digit), Computation,
Geometry, Fractions 

Plants, Animals,
Birds, Earth &Universe, Matter & Materials

dioms, Phrases,
Adverbs, Adjectives,
Comprehension 

Class 4 Patterns, Analogy,
Coding-Decoding,
Mirror Images,
Figure Matrix
Number Sense,
Computation,
Fractions, Geometry, Data
Handling 

Plants, Digestion,
Matter, Force,
Work, Energy 
Vocabulary, Nouns,
Pronouns, Articles,
Prepositions,
Idioms
Class 6 
Patterns,
Coding-Decoding,
Puzzle Test,
Embedded Figures,
Ranking Test
Integers,
Fractions,Decimals,
Algebra, Ratio,
Proportion 
Fibre to Fabric,
Magnets, Electricity,
Environment 
Conjunctions,
Modals, Narration,
Voice, Tenses
Class 7  Patterns,
Coding-Decoding,
Analytical Reasoning, Puzzle Test 

ntegers, Linear
Equations, Congruence,
Perimeter, Area

Respiration,
Transport in
Plants, Reproduction,
Light
Modals, Voices,
Narration,
Conditionals,
Reported Speech
Class 8 Analogy,
Geometrical Shapes,
Mathematical
Reasoning, Puzzle
Test 
Rational
Numbers,
Algebraic Expressions,
Direct & Inverse
Proportions
Microorganisms,
Metals &
Non-metals,
Combustion, Light 
Synonyms,
Antonyms,
Analogies,
Participle Phrases
Class 9 Analogy,
Coding-Decoding,
Geometrical Shapes, Direction Sense Test 

Polynomials,
Coordinate Geometry, Linear Equations,
Quadrilaterals 


Atoms, Cell
Structure, Motion,
Force, Work &
Energy 
Words Related to
Travel, Workplace,
Question Forms 
Class 10 
 
Analogy,
Coding-Decoding,
Geometrical
Shapes, Alphabet
Test 
Trigonometry,
Probability,
Polynomials, Coordinate
Geometry 

Reproduction,
Chemical
Bonding, Light,
Electricity,
Environmen
Tenses, Modals,
Idioms,
Comprehension,
Articles,
Prepositions



How to Prepare for ISTSE Olympiad?

Olympiad exams in India are highly competitive, and students must prepare smartly.
Here are some ISTSE exam preparation tips: 

Get Familiar with the Syllabus

Download the ISTSE syllabus and
 focus on important topics. 

Take Mock Tests

ISTSE provides 3 free mock tests to registered students. These are essential for self-assessment and time management

Enroll in the Best Olympiad Classes in India

Joining Olympiad coaching classes can help students get expert guidance, practice
worksheets, and structured learning materials.

Refer to Previous Year Question Papers

Solving past ISTSE papers can help students understand the exam pattern, question
difficulty, and important topics. 

Manage Time Effectively

Since the exam is time-bound (60 minutes), practicing under timed conditions is
essential. 

Focus on Conceptual Understanding

Rather than rote learning, focus on understanding concepts deeply to tackle tricky
and application-based questions.

ISTSE Registration & Fees
1.  Online Registration Fee: ₹399/-
 2.  Late Registration Fee: ₹449/-
3.   Paper-Based Exam Fee (Through School): ₹200/-
4.   Register for ISTSE Olympiad Here: Click Here

Register for ISTSE Olympiad Here: Click Here

ISTSE Awards & Scholarships

International Topper (Each Class) – ₹1800/month for 12 months + International
Topper Shield

International Rank 1 – ₹1500/month for 12 months + Topper Shield
International Rank 2 – ₹1000/month for 12 months + First Runner Up Shield
International Rank 3 – ₹500/month for 12 months + Second Runner Up Shield

School-Level Awards – Schools with 500+ participants can win cash prizes and medals for top students. 

Final Thoughts – Why ISTSE is a Must for Students?

The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is one of the best Olympiad exams in
India for students in Classes 1-10. Whether you are aiming for academic excellence,
scholarship opportunities, or international recognition, ISTSE is your gateway to
success. 

Register now and take the first step towards your bright future!

Official Website: www.istse.org
Contact: +91-9513-23-7104 | info@istse.org
Follow ISTSE on Social Media:
Facebook | YouTube | Instagram

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