NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26: The National Science Olympiad (NSO) conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is one of India’s most popular competitive exams for school students. Every year, lakhs of students from Class 1 to Class 12 participate in the NSO to assess their scientific knowledge and logical reasoning skills. With the 2025-26 session approaching, students, parents, and teachers are eager to understand the NSO Exam Pattern, marking scheme, and exam duration.

This comprehensive article covers the NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26, including class-wise structure, section-wise marking scheme, and the total duration of the exam.

What is NSO?

The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually by SOF. It aims to enhance scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills among school students. The exam tests both logical reasoning and science knowledge, helping students apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios.

NSO Exam Structure Overview 2025-26

The NSO exam is divided into three major sections for Classes 1 to 12:

Each section has a defined number of questions and marking pattern. Let’s now take a detailed look at the NSO exam pattern for each class group.

NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26: Class-wise Breakdown

NSO Exam Pattern for Classes 1 to 4

Younger students in Classes 1 to 4 are introduced to the exam with basic reasoning and science questions. The paper consists of 35 questions for a total of 40 marks.

Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Medium of Exam: English
Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions – MCQs)

NSO Exam Pattern for Classes 5 to 10

The difficulty level and number of questions increase for middle and high school students. The total number of questions becomes 50, and the paper carries 60 marks.

Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Medium of Exam: English
Type: Objective (MCQs)

The Achievers Section plays a critical role here as it carries 3 marks per question, emphasizing higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).

NSO Exam Pattern for Classes 11 and 12

Senior secondary students can choose between Mathematics or Biology, depending on their academic stream. The paper has 50 questions carrying a total of 60 marks.

Exam Duration: 60 minutes
Medium of Exam: English
Type: Objective (MCQs)

The inclusion of subject-specific questions (Math or Biology) in addition to Physics and Chemistry ensures a balanced evaluation of science aptitude.

NSO Exam Duration for All Classes

The total exam duration for all classes is 60 minutes (1 hour).
Students are advised to manage their time wisely across all sections, especially focusing on the Achievers Section, which has higher weightage per question.

NSO Section-wise Weightage & Importance

Let’s understand the importance of each section based on marks:

The Achievers Section often becomes the deciding factor in achieving a high rank or winning a scholarship.

Why Understanding the NSO Exam Pattern is Crucial?

Understanding the exam pattern helps students:

• Allocate time efficiently across sections
• Focus on high-weightage questions (like HOTs)
• Practice targeted mock tests
• Reduce exam anxiety through familiarity

It also helps parents and educators guide children better during their preparation.

Tips to Prepare Based on NSO Exam Pattern

Here are some smart tips to align your preparation with the NSO 2025-26 exam pattern:

1. Start with School Syllabus

The Science section is based on the respective school curriculum. Revise NCERT/ICSE/state board books thoroughly.

2. Practice Logical Reasoning Daily

This section is common across all classes and requires regular practice. Focus on:

• Series
• Patterns
• Coding-Decoding
• Mirror & Water Images

3. Focus on Achievers Section

Since questions here carry higher marks, practicing HOT questions can give a significant boost.

4. Time Yourself

While practicing sample papers, stick to the 60-minute format to build speed and accuracy.

5. Use Olympiad Workbooks & Past Papers

Refer to SOF-approved books and previous year papers to understand question types and difficulty level.

NSO 2025-26 Exam Pattern Highlights

Conclusion

The NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26 remains structured yet challenging, providing an excellent opportunity for students to enhance their scientific thinking and reasoning skills. Whether you're in Class 1 or Class 12, understanding the section-wise breakup, marking scheme, and time allocation is key to scoring well and qualifying for top ranks and awards.

Use this detailed pattern guide as your roadmap for strategic preparation. Remember, the more familiar you are with the exam structure, the more confident you'll be on the final day.

NSO Exam Pattern 2025-26 FAQs

Q1. How many questions are asked in the NSO exam?
Ans: Classes 1–4 have 35 questions, and Classes 5–12 have 50 questions.

Q2. What is the duration of the NSO exam?
Ans: The exam duration is 60 minutes for all classes.

Q3. What is the Achievers Section in NSO?
Ans: The Achievers Section includes Higher Order Thinking (HOT) questions and carries more marks per question than other sections.

Q4. Is the exam pattern same for Class 12 students of Biology and Maths streams?
Ans: The pattern is the same, but students can choose between Biology or Mathematics in Section 3.

Q5. How important is Logical Reasoning in NSO?
Ans: Logical Reasoning plays a vital role, especially in Classes 1–10, and contributes significantly to the overall score.