Facts, Syllabus and Pattern

What is NSO?
The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is a yearly competitive exam conducted for
school students.
Organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), this exam aims at cultivating
scientific reasoning and logical ability among the students through a rigorous test.
The Science Olympiad Foundation primarily instills scientific curiosity and vigour in
young students through competitive exams.
Here’s some more information on NSO.
Here’s a list of competitive exams you can participate in.

Syllabus for NSO

Class 10

Logical Reasoning

1. Verbal and Nonverbal Reasoning

Science

1. Chemical Reactions and Equations

2. Acids, Bases and Salts

3. Metals and Nonmetals

4. Carbon and its Compounds

5. Periodic Classification of Elements

6. Life Processes

7. Reproduction in Organisms

8. Heredity and Evolution

9. Light: Reflection and Refraction

10. Human Eye and Colourful World

 11. Electricity

12. Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

13. Sources of Energy

14. Our Environment and its Management

Class 11

Physics

1. Units and Measurements

2. Mechanics

3. Properties of Matter

4. Heat and Thermodynamics

5. Oscillations

6. Waves
Chemistry

1. Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry

2. Structure of Atom

3. Classification of Elements and Periodicity in

4. Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

5. States of Matter

6. Thermodynamics

7. Equilibrium

8. Redox Reactions

9. Hydrogen

10. The s-Block Elements

 11. The p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14)

12. Organic Chemistry - Some Basic Principles and Techniques

13. Hydrocarbons

14. Environmental Chemistry

Mathematics

1. Sets, Relations and Functions

2. Principle of Mathematical Induction

3. Logarithms

4. Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

5. Linear Inequations

6. Sequences and Series

7. Trigonometry

8. Straight Lines

9. Conic Sections

10. Permutations and Combinations

11. Binomial Theorem

12. Statistics

13. Mathematical Reasoning

14. Limits and Derivatives

15. Probability
OR

Biology

1. Reproduction
2. Genetics and Evolution

3. Biology in Human Welfare

4. Biotechnology

5. Ecology
Class 12

Physics

1. Electricity and Magnetism

2. Electromagnetic Induction

3. Alternating Current

4. Electromagnetic Waves

5. Optics

6. Modern Physics

7. Semiconductor Electronics

8. Communication Systems
Chemistry

1. Solid State

2. Solutions

3. Electrochemistry

4. Chemical Kinetics

5. Surface Chemistry

6. General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

7. p-Block Elements (Group 15 to 18)

8. d- and f-Block Elements

9. Coordination Compounds

10. Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

11. Alcohols

12. Phenols and Ethers

13. Aldehydes

14. Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

15. Amines

16. Biomolecules

17. Polymers

18. Chemistry in Everyday Life

Mathematics

1. Relations and Functions

2. Inverse Trigonometric Functions

3. Matrices and Determinants

4. Continuity and Differentiability

5. Application of Derivatives

6. Integrals

7. Application of Integrals

8. Differential Equations

9. Vector Algebra

10. Three-dimensional Geometry

11. Probability

12. Linear Programming

 OR

Biology

1. Reproduction

2. Genetics and Evolution

3. Biology in Human Welfare

4. Biotechnology

5. Ecology
Here’s the entire syllabus for Classes 1 to 12.

Exam Pattern for NSO

Here is the paper pattern for the first level examination.

Classes 1 to 4

Particulars Details

Science, Mathematics and Logical

Subjects
Reasoning

Type of questions Objective (MCQs)

Mode of examination Written Test

Exam duration 1 hour

Number of questions 35 questions

Languages English

1 mark awarded for each correct

answer

(Science and Logical Reasoning)

Marking scheme

2 marks awarded for each correct

answer

(Achievers Section)

Negative marking No negative marking

Classes 5 to 10

Particulars Details

Science, Mathematics and Logical

Subjects
Reasoning

Type of questions Objective (MCQs)

Mode of examination Written Test

Exam duration 1 hour

Number of questions 50 questions

Languages English

1 mark awarded for each correct

answer

(Science and Logical Reasoning)

Marking scheme

3 marks awarded for each correct

answer

(Achievers Section)

Negative marking No negative marking

Classes 11 and 12

Particulars Details

Subjects Physics, Chemistry and Maths/Biology

Type of questions Objective (MCQs)

Mode of examination Written Test

Exam duration 1 hour

Number of questions 50 questions

Languages English

1 mark awarded for each correct

answer

(Physics, Chemistry, Maths and

Biology)
Marking scheme

3 marks awarded for each correct

answer

(Achievers Section)

Negative marking No negative marking

Here is the marking scheme for the first level examination:

Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

Classes 1 to 4
 Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

5 (1 mark per
Logical Reasoning 5
question)

25 (1 mark per
Science 25
question)

5 (2 marks per
Achievers Section 10
question)

Grand Total 35 40

Classes 5 to 10

10 (1 mark per
Logical Reasoning 10
question)

35 (1 mark per
Science 35
question)

5 (3 marks per
Achievers section 15
question)

Grand Total 50 60
 Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

Classes 11 to 12

25 (1 mark per
Physics and Chemistry 25
question)

5 (3 marks per
Achievers section 15
question)

20 (1 mark per
Mathematics or Biology 20
question)

Grand Total 50 60

Here is the marking scheme for the second level examination:

Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

Classes 3 to 4

30 (1 mark per
Science 30
question)

5 (2 marks per
Achievers section 10
question)
 Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

Grand Total 35 40

Classes 5 to 10

45 (1 mark per
Science 45
question)

5 (3 marks per
Achievers section 15
question)

Grand Total 50 60

Classes 11 to 12

25 (1 mark per
Physics and Chemistry 25
question)

5 (3 marks per
Achievers section 15
question)

20 (1 mark per
Mathematics or Biology 20
question)
 Subject No. of Questions Total Marks

Grand Total 50 60

How to apply
Eligibility Criteria for NSO
 Class:
You need to be a student in Classes 1 to 12 to be eligible for this exam.
 Boards:
You must be a student of SSC, ICSE or CBSE boards.
 Qualifying for second level examination:
The top 5% of students (class-wise) who appear for the first level exam.
The top 25 rank holders state-wise.
Class toppers from each participating school; where at least 10 students participate and
score a minimum of 50%.
 Year of attempt:
As long as you’re a student enrolled in any of Classes 1 to 12, you can apply for NSO.
 Number of attempts:
You can only attempt NSO once in every academic year.

Registration for NSO

Here is the registration process for NSO:

1. The prospectus containing the registration forms is sent to all schools registered with the
Science Olympiad Foundation.
2. Unregistered schools can request a prospects by sending an email
to info@sofworld.org or making a phone call or sending a fax to 0124-4951200.

3. Your school's coordinating teacher will generate students' roll numbers as per the
guidelines given.

4. A nominal participation fee is charged from each student in your school.

Important dates
Exam Dates for NSO
The Science Olympiad Foundation only releases exam dates for the current academic
year.
Here are the dates for NSO 2018:

Dates Exam

1st and 27th November 2018 First level exam

2nd or 3rd Sunday of February 2019* Second level exam

Results and cut-off

Qualification for NSO
First level examination

Based on your performance in the first level exam, you are given a rank. This rank
determines whether you qualify for the second level exam or not.

If two students score the same marks, ranks are awarded to the student scoring higher
marks in priority sections as mentioned below:

Classes 1 to 10

Priority Section

1 Achievers Section

2 Science
 3 Logical Reasoning

Classes 11 and 12

Priority Section

1 Achievers Section

2 Science

3 Chemistry

4 Mathematics or Biology

If students score the same marks in all sections, they are given the same rank.

Second level examination

In the second level exam, you are ranked on the basis of your total score.
In case two students score the same marks, their ranks are decided on the basis of the
below points:

 Higher marks scored in higher priority sections (second level exam)

 Total marks scored in the first level exam

 Higher marks scored in higher priority sections (first level exam)

If two students still score the same marks, they are given the same rank.
Scholarships and Awards through NSO
The following awards will be given out to the winners of this year’s Olympiad.
Awards for the first level exam:

Zonal Level

Rank Scholarships No. of Awards

Medal of Excellence +
1 to 25 Certificate of 240
Distinction

26+ Participation Certificate All

Awards for the second level exam:

International Level

Rank Scholarships No. of Awards

Rs. 50,000 Each + Gold

Medal* + Certificate of
1 12
Outstanding
Performance

Rs. 25,000 Each + Silver

Medal* + Certificate of
2 12
Outstanding
Performance
 Rs. 10,000 Each +
Bronze Medal* +
3 Certificate of 12
Outstanding
Performance

Zonal Level

Rank Scholarships No. of Awards

Rs. 5,000 Each + Gold

1 Medal* + Certificate of 240
Zonal Excellence

Rs.2500 Each + Silver

2 Medal* + Certificate of 240
Zonal Excellence

Rs. 1000 Each + Bronze

3 Medal* + Certificate of 240
Zonal Excellence

Gifts* Worth Rs. 1000 +

Medal of Distinction**
4 to 10 1680
+ Certificate of Zonal
Excellence
 Certificate of Zonal
11 to 25 Excellence + Medal of 3600
Distinction**

26+ Merit Certificate All

Note: For more information regarding awards and scholarships, visit the official website.

How to prepare
Preparation Tips for NSO
 Understand the standard of questions: If you are appearing for NSO, then expect
questions of varying difficulty levels that test your logical and observational skills. There
will be no direct questions, but an application of a previously studied concept is more
likely to form the base of a question.
 Practice sample papers: Solving sample papers will give you a fair idea of the pattern
of the questions asked. They are also good for improving the pace at which you attempt
the paper in a limited amount of time. NSO sample papers can be obtained from
the official website.
 Know the relevant books: You must thoroughly study course books suggested by your
school or board (ICSE, CBSE or State Board). In addition to this, you can refer the
books available for Olympiad preparations to get a good rank in NSO.
Study Material for NSO
Here are the books prescribed for NSO:

 MTG NSO class wise Workbooks (For Class 1 to 10)

 SOF Olympiad Trainer - Mobile Apps

 OSDS (Olympiad Skill Development System)

 Previous Years' Papers

 Olympiad's Book of Reasoning (for preparation for the reasoning section of NSO)

 E-Quiz
If you’re a class 10 or 12 student, you can also refer to publications like Chemistry
Today, Biology Today, Mathematics Today, Physics for You and MTG.
These books contain useful information, including model test papers of various National
and International Olympiads.