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.
Eligibility Criteria:
Any student from class 1 to class 12 of boards CBSE / SSC / ICSE can appear for the exam.
Selection Process:
There are two levels:
Level 1: Any one can appear from the school.
Level 2: 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%.
Exam Pattern
|
Classes 1 to 4
|
|
|
Particulars
|
Details
|
|
Subjects
|
Science, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning
|
|
Type of questions
|
Objective (MCQs)
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|
Mode of examination
|
Written Test
|
|
Exam duration
|
1 hour
|
|
Number of questions
|
35 questions
|
|
Languages
|
English
|
|
Marking scheme
|
1 mark awarded for each correct answer
(Science and Logical Reasoning)
2 marks awarded for each correct answer
(Achievers Section)
|
|
Negative marking
|
No negative marking
|
|
Classes 5 to 10
|
|
|
Particulars
|
Details
|
|
Subjects
|
Science, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning
|
|
Type of questions
|
Objective (MCQs)
|
|
Mode of examination
|
Written Test
|
|
Exam duration
|
1 hour
|
|
Number of questions
|
50 questions
|
|
Languages
|
English
|
|
Marking scheme
|
1 mark awarded for each correct answer
(Science and Logical Reasoning)
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
|
|
Marking scheme
|
1 mark awarded for each correct answer
(Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology)
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 | ||
| Logical Reasoning | 5 (1 mark per question) |
5 |
| Science | 25 (1 mark per question) | 25 |
| Achievers Section | 5 (2 marks per question) | 10 |
| Grand Total | 35 | 40 |
| Classes 5 to 10 | ||
| Logical Reasoning | 10 (1 mark per question) |
10 |
| Science | 35 (1 mark per question) |
35 |
| Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) |
15 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
| Classes 11 to 12 | ||
| Physics and Chemistry | 25 (1 mark per question) |
25 |
| Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) |
15 |
| Mathematics or Biology | 20 (1 mark per question) |
20 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
Here is the marking scheme for the second level examination:
|
Subject
|
No. of Questions
|
Total Marks
|
|---|---|---|
| Classes 3 to 4 | ||
| Science | 30 (1 mark per question) | 30 |
| Achievers section | 5 (2 marks per question) | 10 |
| Grand Total | 35 | 40 |
| Classes 5 to 10 | ||
| Science | 45 (1 mark per question) | 45 |
| Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) | 15 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
| Classes 11 to 12 | ||
| Physics and Chemistry | 25 (1 mark per question) | 25 |
| Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) |
15 |
| Mathematics or Biology | 20 (1 mark per question) |
20 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
