NSO Exam Pattern 2026-27: Sections, Questions and Marks

The NSO exam pattern is simple to read but different for three groups of classes: Classes 1 to 4, Classes 5 to 10 and Classes 11 and 12. The paper is made of multiple-choice questions, runs for 60 minutes and is held in school. This page explains the pattern for both levels of the National Science Olympiad, the marks in each section and how to use the numbers to plan your time.

The pattern below is taken from the class-wise pages of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), which lists the exam under the International Science Olympiad (ISO) name. The figures were checked on 27 October 2026 for the 2026-27 session.

NSO exam pattern

Classes 1 and 2 have a single level. Their rank and awards come from Level 1.

Level 1 pattern, class band by class band

Classes 1 to 4

Classes 5 to 10

Classes 11 and 12

SOF's pages use the codes M1, M2 and M3 for sections, and the codes differ between the junior and senior papers. This page uses section names to avoid confusion.

Level 2 pattern

Level 2 has no separate reasoning section for Classes 3 to 10. The reasoning skill is still tested inside the Achievers Section.

The totals work out to 40 marks for Classes 3 and 4 and 60 marks for Classes 5 to 12. Level 2 dates are tentative, as explained on the NSO overview page, so follow SOF's schedule for the date and any change in format.

Marking scheme and negative marking

Each correct answer in the Logical Reasoning, Science and subject sections earns 1 mark. Each correct answer in the Achievers Section earns 2 marks in Classes 1 to 4 and 3 marks in Classes 5 to 12.

Negative marking is not mentioned in the pattern tables on SOF's class pages, and third-party guides report that SOF olympiads have no negative marking. Treat this as widely reported rather than officially stated here, and confirm it in the prospectus your school receives. If it is confirmed, a blank answer gains nothing, so a thoughtful guess is better than leaving a question.

What the pattern means for you

• Science carries most of the marks: In Classes 5 to 10, 35 of the 60 marks are from Science. Strong chapter concepts matter more than anything else.

• The Achievers Section is a big lever: Five questions are worth 15 marks in Classes 5 to 12, which is one quarter of the paper. A student who gets 4 of 5 right gains 12 marks from 8 percent of the questions.

• Reasoning is cheap marks: Ten reasoning questions in Classes 5 to 10 can be solved quickly with practice, and they leave more time for science.

• Seniors choose a lane: In Classes 11 and 12, Mathematics and Biology are alternatives, so train in the one you chose and do not spread effort across both.

• Accuracy beats speed in the Achievers Section: These questions need two or three steps of thought. Spend more time on them than on one-mark questions.

How ranks are decided when marks are equal

Rank is based on total marks. When students tie, SOF looks at marks in priority sections. For Classes 1 to 10 the order is Achievers Section, then Science, then Logical Reasoning. For Classes 11 and 12 the order is Achievers Section, then Physics and Chemistry, then Mathematics or Biology. For Level 2, SOF checks the Level 2 priority sections first, then total Level 1 marks, then Level 1 priority sections. This is another reason to take the Achievers Section seriously.

Time management for each class band

SOF does not publish a section-wise time limit. The paper is one 60-minute block, so you decide how to divide it. The split below is a suggestion for practice, not an official rule.

Younger students often fill the answer sheet slowly, so Classes 1 to 4 should practise shading answers neatly within the time. To build this habit, students can take timed NSO online tests on Testkart and compare their section-wise time and accuracy across attempts. If one section regularly overruns, adjust the split in the next practice paper.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the previous class: About 40 percent of Level 1 is from the previous class, so ignoring it costs marks.

• Starting with the hardest section: Solve reasoning and science first, then give the Achievers Section the remaining focused time.

• Ignoring the answer sheet: Marking the wrong bubble loses a question you knew. Mark answers as you go.

• Using only school tests: School tests are not in this multiple-choice format.

Official source and older pages

Older pages and books may still show earlier patterns or the NSO label with different section codes, so follow SOF's current class pages. Official website: https://sofworld.org/. You can also compare the pattern against SOF's sample papers: https://sofworld.org/sof-international-science-olympiad-sample-papers.