NSO Exam 2024-25 - The National Science Olympiad (NSO)

NSO 2024-25: Key Dates

NSO – Eligibility

The SOF specifies the eligibility criteria for the NSO Level 1 and Level 2 exams. 

 
NSO Level 1 Eligibility Criteria

As per the NSO eligibility criteria, students enrolled in classes 1st to 12th are eligible to appear for the NSO Level 1 exams and there is no minimum marks requirement.

 
NSO Level 2 Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for NSO Level 2 exam specify that only students between Classes 3 and 12 need to appear in the exam. Additionally, only certain selected students of these classes who qualify for the Level 1 exam of NSO are eligible to appear for the second level. These students include: 

• Class-wise top 5% of students, appear for the Level 1 exam.

• Zone-wise and class-wise top 25 rank holders.

• Class toppers from each of the participating schools where a minimum of 10 students from a class appear in the exam and obtain 50% qualifying marks. 

• In case section-wise registration is received, students with the highest marks, irrespective of the section will qualify for the 2nd level. Also, for the section-wise registrations, gold medal winner(s) doesn’t need to qualify for the 2nd level.

NSO - Registration 2024-25

NSO registration is mandatory for any student who wishes to participate in the exam. As NSO registrations are accepted only on behalf of the schools, the schools must register with the SOF for their students to be able to appear in the exam. Students from Classes 1 to 12 need to coordinate with their respective schools to complete the NSO registration process. 

 
NSO - Application Process

The SOF sends the prospectus of the National Science Olympiad to all the registered schools. The prospectus includes the registration forms of the students. Students need to collect the application forms, fill them and submit the application fee (INR 125 for Indian, Bhutanese, Nepali and Bangladeshi students, and USD 9 for other international students). The schools are then required to submit the application forms of the students along with the fees to the SOF before the last date of registration as applicable. 

 
NSO - Exam Structure

The NSO exam structure can be of great help for students who are willing to attempt the exam as it will provide them with an insight into the different sections and type of questions they can expect in the exam. As per the NSO exam structure, the exam duration is 60 minutes and is conducted during school hours only. The medium of the exam is in English. 35 questions in total are asked for students from Classes 1 to 4 while 50 questions are asked for students in Classes 5 to 12. The different sections in the NOS exam level 1 for different classes are as under: 

 
Class 1 to Class 10

• Section 1: Logical Reasoning

• Section 2: Science

• Section 3: Achievers Section

Class 11 and Class 12

• Section 1: Physics/Chemistry

• Section 2: Achievers Section

• Section 3: Mathematics/Biology

NSO Exam Important Topics/ Syllabus 2024-25

• Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning

• Work and Energy, Sound

• Matter in Our Surroundings

• Is Matter Around Us Pure  

• Atoms and Molecules 

• Motion

• Force and Laws of Motion

• Tissues

• Diversity in Living Organisms 

• Structure of Atom

• Cell-The Fundamental Unit of Life

• Why Do We Fall III

• Natural Resources

• Improvement in Food Resources.

• High Order Thinking Skills

NSO: Detailed Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Level- 1 and Level-2

Division of Sections:

Level-1 

NSO - Awards

The SOF offers a host of awards for students qualifying for the NSO exam. The awards are categorised according to the grades of the students and the level of the exam. Details of NSO awards are provided in the table below:

NSO - Results

NSO Results are typically declared within 8 weeks after the examination is conducted. The NSO results of the students are sent to the schools concerned. Additionally, NSO results are also made available on the official website of SOF. Students can check their NSO result score using their roll number.

 
NSO 2024-25 Exam Centers

There are no specified examination centers for conducting the NSO exam. The exam is conducted in the participating schools during school hours. 

 
NSO - Student Performance Report

The SOF also sends a student performance report along with the NSO result. The report provides a detailed analysis of a student’s performance in the different sections of the question paper. A comparative score of the student with respect to other students of the same class who appeared in the exam is also presented in the SPR. Additionally, if a student has attempted NSO more than once, then a detailed report tracking his/her progress over the years is also included in the SPR. 

 
NSO 2024-25 Cut-Off Marks

The NSO 2024-25 cut-off marks are determined by the SOF and are released in the week(s) following the conduct of the exam. The NSO cut-off determines the qualifying score and also the students of Classes 3 to 12 who will qualify for the 2nd level exams. The NSO cut-off is determined by several factors such as the number of students who appeared for the exam, the difficulty level of the question paper, etc. 

 
What Materials Does Vedantu Offer?

Vedantu works with educational experts to create personalised study guides, syllabus, sample papers, and more. You can find practically anything you need on Vedantu's website. Vedantu provides study materials for all competitive exams absolutely free of cost. You can also access these materials on the Vedantu mobile app for easy convenience.

We provide the best of the best in India to allow students from all over the country to practise for different competitive exams. Students can practice online at home or other places so that they can improve their skills. Vedantu is an excellent choice for your child's future because we are the only company providing an integrated package for all academic subjects so that students can focus on their core subjects as well as improve their other language skills easily.

Does Vedantu have Sample Papers for NSO?

Yes, Vedantu offers sample papers, syllabus, and more to help you prepare for your attempt at the NSO. These give you a clear idea about what you need to do to prepare well for the exam. These sample papers are created by professionals from the field of education who work with Vedantu to craft accurate, realistic sample papers that closely resemble the original exam papers. An easy way to study for these exams is to download the sample papers from Vedantu, and then use those sample papers and the answers to practice solving them before the exam. This lets you learn about how to time yourself per section and per question during the exam so that you don’t fall behind. It also gives you an idea of the topics that generally get covered more during these exams, as well as an idea of how the examiners expect you to structure your answers.

Should I go for NSO 2024-25?

The NSO is a very useful exam to give, for those who have a passion for science. These exams will help you realise which subjects within the science umbrella are your personal favourites. These exams give you advanced knowledge of scientific subjects and also teach you important skills that you would not normally learn in a safe environment like the classroom. 

Competitive exams like the NSO teach you not only about science but also about things like time management, critical thinking, the ability to perform tasks under pressure, etc. These skills are invaluable later in life, from college to work. Whether it is to prepare a group project for a college class or to lead a project and manage a team at a company, all of these skills make the difference between a simple, regular employee and a go-getter employee who is ready to take on management roles.

What Can Parents Do to Help for NSO 2024-25?

We understand that not all parents might be able to help their children during their studies. Parents, after all, have their own work to do as well, so it is unreasonable to assume that everyone has the time or energy to help their children with schoolwork on top of everything else. However, there are two things that parents can do to help their children prepare for the NSO 2024-25. The first thing is to ensure that the child has not forgotten to download any of the materials they need. These materials are essentially the sample papers and the syllabus for their year. The sample papers can be found here, while the syllabus can be found here. The other thing that parents can do for their children is to make sure they are calm and relaxed. Putting too much pressure on them will cause them to explode, so it is best if the parent offers gentle encouragement and help if needed, while allowing the child to study for the exam at their own pace. Make sure they are taking enough breaks for meals and leisure time as well!