NCO Syllabus 2026-27: Class-wise Topics for Classes 1 to 10
The NCO syllabus is published class by class by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), and it is built around four areas: logical reasoning, computer science, AI, robotics and IT, and higher order thinking questions. A Class 2 student and a Class 9 student therefore study very different topics, even though both sit a one hour paper.
This page lists the topics for every class from 1 to 10, explains how SOF builds the paper from the current and previous class, and gives a simple plan to cover it. SOF's current official pages carry the exam under the name International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO), and the syllabus pages still use the NCO label in their keywords, so the topics below are taken from those official class pages.
NCO Syllabus
Class group | Questions and marks | Sections in the paper |
|---|---|---|
Classes 1 and 2 | 35 questions, 40 marks | Achievers Section, Computer Science, Information Technology, Logical Reasoning |
Classes 3 and 4 | 35 questions, 40 marks | Achievers Section, Computer Science, AI, Robotics and IT, Logical Reasoning |
Classes 5 to 10 | 50 questions, 60 marks | Achievers Section, Computer Science, AI, Robotics and IT, Logical Reasoning |
How SOF Builds the NCO Paper
60 percent current class, 40 percent previous class: SOF's class pages state that Level 1 questions come 60 percent from the current class syllabus and 40 percent from the previous class syllabus. A Class 7 student should therefore revise Class 6 topics too.
Achievers Section from the current class only: The higher order thinking questions are based on the Computer Science and AI, Robotics and IT sections of the current class.
Software basis: Questions are based on Windows 11. From Class 3 onwards they are also based on MS-Office 2016, so practise on that version of the tools.
Python version: The Class 9 and Class 10 pages mention Python 3.14.2 as current in December 2025. Treat it as a pointer to modern Python, not a reason to memorise version details.
Board alignment: SOF states the papers follow CBSE, ICSE and state board syllabi, so your school computer textbook is a good base.
Important Notes Before You Start
SOF lists the Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning section for Classes 6 to 10 by name only and does not itemise its topics. The reasoning topic lists below for those classes are therefore not available from SOF. The most detailed official reasoning list is the Class 5 list, so Classes 6 to 10 can use it as a revision base and practise verbal and non-verbal reasoning questions on top of it. Treat that as a preparation suggestion, not an official list.
Section names also differ slightly between pages. SOF's pattern labels the sections M1 to M4, while the class pages number them 1 to 4. The topics are the same either way. For Classes 1 and 2 the Achievers Section draws on the reasoning topics, which is why the Class 1 page lists them together.
Syllabus for Classes 1 and 2
At this stage the paper is picture based and checks whether a child can recognise and use basic computer parts, along with simple reasoning skills.
Class 1
Section | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Achievers (logical and spatial reasoning) | Patterns, odd one out, measuring units, geometrical shapes, spatial understanding, grouping of figures, analogy, ranking test, problems based on figures |
Computer Science | Introduction to computers, parts of a computer, uses of computers, keys and keyboard, computer mouse, starting and shutting down the computer, introduction to MS-Paint |
Information Technology | IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Higher order thinking | Questions based on the Computer Science and IT sections |
Class 2
Section | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Reasoning | Patterns, odd one out, measuring units, geometrical shapes, analogy, ranking test, grouping of figures, embedded figures, coding-decoding |
Computer Science | Computer as a smart machine, general information about computers, parts of a computer, uses of a computer, learning to use the keyboard and mouse, MS-Paint |
Information Technology | IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Higher order thinking | Questions based on the Computer Science and IT sections |
Syllabus for Classes 3 and 4
From Class 3, AI and robotics enter the paper and MS-Word becomes a regular topic.
Class 3
Section | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Reasoning | Patterns, analogies and classification, alphabet tests, coding-decoding, ranking, grouping of figures, figure matrices, mirror images, geometrical shapes, embedded figures, possible combinations, clocks and calendars |
Computer Science | Fundamentals of computers (features, memory and storage, parts, uses), input and output devices, introduction to the internet, MS-Paint, introduction to MS-Word (opening, saving, printing, window components, cut, copy, paste, undo and redo) |
AI, Robotics and IT | Introduction to AI and robotics, IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, recent developments in IT |
Higher order thinking | Questions based on the Computer Science and AI, Robotics and IT sections |
Class 4
Section | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Reasoning | Patterns, alphabet test, coding-decoding, ranking test, mirror images, geometrical shapes and solids, embedded figures, direction sense test, possible combinations, analogy and classification, clock and calendar |
Computer Science | Fundamentals of computers, evolution of computers, hardware, software, MS-Word formatting (Font group, Format Painter, Find and Replace, spelling and grammar with Thesaurus), Windows 11, internet and its uses, computer networks, MS-Paint |
AI, Robotics and IT | Introduction to AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices and apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Higher order thinking | Questions based on the Computer Science and AI, Robotics and IT sections |
Syllabus for Class 5
Class 5 is the first class with the longer paper of 50 questions, and it has the most detailed reasoning list in SOF's syllabus.
Section | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Logical Reasoning | Patterns, analogy and classification, geometrical shapes, mirror and water images, direction sense test, ranking test, alphabet test, logical sequence of words, puzzle test, coding-decoding, clock and calendar |
Computer Science | Input and output devices, hardware, software, storage devices, primary and secondary memory, MS-Paint, introduction to multimedia, MS-Word (paragraph formatting, drop cap, document views, inserting pictures, shapes, SmartArt, text boxes, headers and footers), introduction to MS-PowerPoint (window components, inserting objects, slide shows and presentation views), internet and computer networks, Windows 11 |
AI, Robotics and IT | Introduction to AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices and apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Higher order thinking | Questions based on the Computer Science and AI, Robotics and IT sections |
Syllabus for Classes 6 to 8
These classes add Excel, HTML and CSS, and block programming in Scratch. Section 1 is Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, which SOF does not break into topics.
Class 6
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Computer Science and IT skills | Types of computers, hardware, software, I/O devices, history and generations of computers, Windows 11, MS-Word (charts and tables, Layout tab, arranging windows), MS-PowerPoint (animations, transitions, Slides pane, Handouts and Notes Master, charts and tables), networking and cyber safety, introduction to HTML and CSS (basic tags such as html, head, title, body, H1 to H6, bold, italic, underline, paragraph), introduction to Scratch, memory and storage devices |
AI, Robotics and IT | AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Class 7
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Computer Science | Hardware, software, I/O devices, introduction to algorithms and flowcharts, evolution of computers, memory and storage, Windows 11, MS-Word (links, mail merge, macros, Styles group), MS-PowerPoint (slide master, themes, hyperlinks and actions, custom slide shows), MS-Excel (window components, editing and formatting cells, introduction to formulas, sorting and filtering, macros), networking and cyber safety, HTML and CSS (body and font tag attributes, Center, BR and HR tags), basic programming in Scratch |
AI, Robotics and IT | AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Class 8
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Computer Science | Hardware, software, algorithms and flowcharts (including advanced symbols), introduction to number systems, Windows 11, HTML and CSS (anchor, UL, OL and LI elements with Type and Start attributes), Scratch, MS-Access basics, networking, MS-Word (File tab, language and translate options, track changes, comments, comparing, combining and protecting documents, references), MS-PowerPoint (File and Slide Show tabs, comparing and protecting presentations), MS-Excel (cell referencing, Defined Names, functions such as IF, LCM, GCD, POWER, ROUND, SQRT, SUM, MIN, MAX, AVERAGE, COUNT, UPPER, LOWER, REPLACE), memory and storage devices, cyber safety, operating systems (features, single-user and multi-user) |
AI, Robotics and IT | AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Syllabus for Classes 9 and 10
The upper classes bring text-based programming, databases and number systems. Both classes again list Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning without topic details.
Class 9
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Computer Science and IT | Hardware, software, I/O devices, animation and multimedia, memory and storage, number systems (binary to decimal and decimal to binary), algorithms and flowcharts, introduction to Visual Basic, HTML and CSS (links, anchors, table tags), MS-Word, MS-Excel (formula auditing, data tools, protecting and sharing workbooks, cell ranges), MS-Access, MS-PowerPoint, networking, cyber safety, operating systems (GUI-based, real-time, distributed), Windows 11, Scratch, introduction to Python |
AI, Robotics and IT | AI, robotics, IT gadgets, devices, apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
Class 10
Area | Topics to cover |
|---|---|
Computer Science | Hardware, software, I/O devices, memory and storage, basics of IT, number system, operating system, MS-Word, MS-PowerPoint, MS-Excel, networking, HTML and CSS, cyber safety, database management system (functions, types, MS-Access), Windows 11, Scratch, programming in Python, programming in Visual Basic |
AI, Robotics and IT | Artificial intelligence, robotics, IT gadgets, devices and apps, computerization, other developments in IT |
SOF gives no Python sub-topics for either class. Practise the basics that a school curriculum covers at this level, such as variables, input and output, conditions and loops, and reading short programs.
Topics That Carry Over Between Classes
Because 40 percent of questions come from the previous class, the same area is often tested in two consecutive classes. This table shows where the main areas repeat.
Area | Appears in | How to plan |
|---|---|---|
MS-Word | Classes 3 to 10 | Learn the feature set of your class, then revise the previous class features once a month |
MS-PowerPoint | Classes 5 to 10 | Practise building a short presentation and revisit the previous class features once a month |
MS-Excel | Classes 7 to 10 | Practise formulas and functions on a real worksheet instead of memorising lists |
HTML and CSS | Classes 6 to 10 | Type small pages by hand, since tag and attribute questions need exact knowledge |
Scratch | Classes 6 to 10 | Build two or three small projects and trace how blocks run in order |
MS-Access and DBMS | Classes 8 to 10 | Understand tables, records and fields before moving to database functions and types |
Python and Visual Basic | Classes 9 and 10 | Trace short programs by hand and predict the output |
Networking and cyber safety | Classes 4 to 10 | Link each term to a real situation, such as a school network or a phishing message |
AI and robotics | Classes 3 to 10 | Read a few current examples each month, since this area follows new developments |
How to Cover the NCO Syllabus
A steady plan of eight to ten weeks is enough for most students, provided the school computer lessons are already underway.
Weeks 1 and 2, map the syllabus: Tick off the topics your class has already covered in school, and mark the rest as gaps. Do the same for the previous class.
Weeks 3 to 5, learn by doing: Study one area at a time and practise it on the software itself. Add 15 to 20 reasoning questions every day.
Weeks 6 and 7, practise by topic: Solve topic-wise questions and note every wrong answer in an error log with the reason.
Weeks 8 to 10, practise full papers: Attempt the official sample paper for your class from SOF, then take timed papers of 35 or 50 questions in 60 minutes and review each one the same day.
Where to Verify the Syllabus
SOF can update the class pages between sessions, for example by changing software versions. Check the official syllabus pages before you finalise your preparation.
Official website: https://sofworld.org/
Official syllabus page: https://sofworld.org/sof-international-computer-science-olympiad-syllabus
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