NSO Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2024-25
FAQs on NSO Science Olympiad 2024-25 Exam Guide for Students
1. What is the NSO Science Olympiad?
The NSO Science Olympiad is a national-level science exam conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students in Classes 1–12. It tests scientific aptitude, logical reasoning, and problem-solving abilities across various school grades.
- Open to students of Classes 1 to 12
- Assesses science, HOTs (Higher Order Thinking Skills), and logical reasoning
- Includes two exam levels for Classes 3–12
- Recognized by many schools in India and abroad
2. Who is eligible for NSO 2024-25?
All students enrolled in Classes 1–12 for the academic year 2024–25 are eligible to participate in the NSO Science Olympiad through their schools.
- Must be registered via school (no individual entries allowed)
- International students can also participate
- School must register at least 10 students to be eligible
3. What is the registration fee for NSO?
The registration fee for NSO is INR 125 per student in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and USD $9 for students in other countries.
- Collected by the school at the time of registration
- No individual registrations permitted; only through schools
4. What is the exam pattern and marking scheme for NSO 2024–25?
The NSO exam is a one-hour written test consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). It has no negative marking and the structure varies by class group:
- Classes 1–4: 35 questions (1 mark for reasoning/science, 2 marks for HOTs)
- Classes 5–10: 50 questions (1 mark for reasoning/science, 3 marks for HOTs)
- Classes 11–12: 50 questions (1 mark for core, 3 marks for HOTs)
- No negative marking
5. What is the syllabus for NSO Science Olympiad?
The NSO syllabus is based on the current academic curriculum for Classes 1–12 and includes topics from Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), Logical Reasoning, and HOTs (Higher Order Thinking Skills).
- Classes 1–4: General Science (plant, animal, body, environment basics), reasoning
- Classes 5–10: Physics, Chemistry, Biology (aligned with CBSE, ICSE, and major state boards), reasoning
- Classes 11–12: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology (as per stream), higher-order questions
6. How can I download NSO previous year papers and sample papers?
You can download NSO previous year papers, sample papers, and solutions from trusted educational portals such as Vedantu or the official SOF website.
- Available for each class
- Include both questions and answer keys
- Helpful for practicing and analyzing exam trends
7. What are the important dates for NSO 2024–25?
The important dates for NSO 2024–25 include registration deadlines and exam schedules as set by SOF.
- Registration: May to September 2024 (varying by school)
- Exam Dates: Set 1 – 18th October 2024; Set 2 – 12th November 2024; Set 3 – 3rd December 2024
- Results: Level 1 in January 2025, Level 2 in March 2025
8. Is there any negative marking in the NSO exam?
There is no negative marking in the NSO Science Olympiad for any class or section.
- Attempt every question without fear of penalty
- Encourages participation and thorough attempt of the paper
9. What prizes and awards can students win in NSO?
Top performers in the NSO Science Olympiad can win awards at international, zonal, and school levels.
- International/Zonal Rank 1: Rs. 5,000 + Gold Medal + Certificate
- Zonal Rank 2: Rs. 2,500 + Silver Medal + Certificate
- Zonal Rank 3: Rs. 1,000 + Bronze Medal + Certificate
- School/Class Toppers: Medal and certificate, if at least 10 students participate per class
10. How are NSO results announced and how to check them?
The NSO results are typically released 6–8 weeks after the exam and can be checked online or through your school.
- Check online: SOF official results portal with your roll number
- Check via school: Results are sent to school coordinators
- Level 1 results in January 2025; Level 2 in March 2025 (tentative)
11. Which is the toughest science olympiad?
The NSO Science Olympiad is one of the most popular school-level science competitions, but toughness varies by exam and participant experience.
- NSO is suitable for Classes 1–12; other Olympiads like IJSO or NSEJS are for higher classes and have advanced-level questions
- SOF NSO is designed to be accessible and gradually challenging as per the class
12. What level is the NSO Olympiad?
The NSO Olympiad has up to two levels:
- Level 1: For classes 1–12 (all students)
- Level 2: For qualifying students of Classes 3–12 based on Level 1 performance
Each level increases in difficulty to identify top science talent.
