NCO FAQs

How does a student benefit by appearing in the NCO?

Participants of NCO are ranked on the basis of marks obtained. Hence, after taking the first level of the test, students can judge themselves academically at four different levels - within the school, at city level, at state level and above all at International level. Students are suitably awarded based on their international, State and School ranking. Prizes include cash awards, I-Pads, medals, Gifts, certificates etc... The International toppers from each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony held in Delhi, presided over by an eminent personality. Prizes for state winners and school winners are sent to their respective schools.

Who all are eligible to sit for the NCO?

Students of classes 2nd to 12th are eligible to appear for the 1st level NCO. There is no other eligibility criterion like minimum marks. Students who qualify for the 2^nd level exam include top 5% of students class wise who appear for the 1st  level exam, state wise top 10 rank holders class wise and class toppers from each participating school where at least 10 students from a class  appear in the exam & scores 75% qualifying marks. Students from class 2 are not required to appear for the 2^nd level exam and are ranked based on their performance in the first level exam.

I am interested to take part in the NCO. Tell me how will I come to know about the details of the exam?

All the relevant information is sent to the schools all over the country / Asian countries along with prospectus, registration forms, posters and other details before the first round and then as the date and venue of the second level is decided, the information is sent to the relevant schools again. The students come to know about the necessary details from their school teachers or through the Foundation's official website www.sofworld.org or through the foundation’s face book page  facebook.com/sofworld.

Myself and few of my friends are interested to take part in the NCO but our school has not yet received any information regarding the Olympiad. What do we do?

Please let us know the complete address of your school. We will send detailed information and registration forms to your School so that your Principal / Computer Teacher can register for the exam and you may take part in it. 

What is the syllabus for the NCO?

The syllabus of the NCO is the Computers and Mathematics syllabus as is prescribed by the CBSE, ICSE or various state boards. If you sit for the second level and have moved onto the next class, the syllabus will remain the same (i.e. of the previous class).  The syllabus is also posted on the Foundation’s website.

• MTG NCO class wise Workbooks (For Class 2 to 10)
• ‘SOF Olympiad Trainer’ Mobile Apps
• OSDS (Olympiad Skill Development System)
• Previous Years’ Papers 
• Olympiads’ Book of Reasoning (for preparation for the reasoning section of NCO)
• E-Quiz

My school does not want to register for the NCO, but I am very eager to write the exam. Can I do it on my own?

SOF does not accept individual participation. Students may register through their respective schools only. 

I have already appeared for the NCO while I was in a lower class? Can I appear again?

Certainly. This will give you an opportunity to improve your previous rankings, and if you are successful in doing so, you will again be eligible for certificates and prizes. 

My school has already dispatched the registration form. I am left out and I want to register myself for the NCO...

You can request your school authority to send your exam relevant details and fee immediately to us. We will accept it if it reaches us before the last date of registration (usually 30 days before the exam). 

I am going to write the NCO for the first time. Can I get sample papers?

Sample Papers are sent to all schools registered for NCO. SOF website also contains these papers (http://www.sofworld.org/nco/nco-exam/sample-papers.html). Sample papers sent to the schools prior to the first level test are helpful and can be used for both levels of NCO.

In addition to the sample papers, students may also benefit by subscribing to OSDS – Olympiad Skill Development System ( please refer to our sitewww.sofworld.org  for details )

What is the structure and pattern of the examination?

The level-1 competition is a written objective-type test of 60 minutes duration comprising 35 Multiple Choice questions for class 2 to class 4 and 50 questions from class 5 to class 12.

Question paper will have three sections:

Section I – Mental Ability (5/10 questions)

Section II – Logical and Analytical Reasoning (10/10 questions)

Section III – Computer and Information Technology (20/30 questions)

Each correct answer carries one mark. There is no negative marking. 

When are the results of NCO declared?

Results of both the levels of NCO are declared in approximately 6 weeks from the date of examination. The results are sent to the schools concerned. The results are also made available on our website. 

I have taken part in the NCO. Can I also take part in the National Science Olympiad (NSO) and International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) and International English Olympiad (IEO)?

Although conducted by the same Foundation, NCO, NSO, IMO and IEO are four completely different competitions. Students can register for all the 4 Olympiads in a year. 

Do I have to regularly visit your website for the latest update of SOF activities?

All the important information regarding Olympiads, Seminars, etc., like date, time and venue is available on our website. So it is beneficial for you to surf our site www.sofworld.org or www.facebook.com/sofworld.

I've cleared 2nd level of the NCO and I've come to know that I'm eligible for an award. I'm studying in a different school/passed out from school and pursuing further studies. Will I come to know about the date and venue of prize ceremony?

As soon as we finalize the date and venue of the presentation ceremony, we send out the information to the schools concerned and also to the winners’ residence addresses as available with us. So preferably please be in touch with your previous school. The information will also be put on our website. 

I have still not received my Roll No. / Admit Card / Participation Certificate. I have checked from my school authorities and they are also not in receipt of the same. Kindly advise what to do?

Please request your Principal / Computer Teacher to inform us about the non-receipt of the above. We will send duplicate copies to your school as soon as we hear from them. 

We have come to know about your Foundation and we are interested. How do we enroll our school with you?

Please send us the complete address of your school in the following format and we will send Prospectus and registration forms to you at the appropriate time. 

School Name: Address: City: State: Pin code Phone No. with STD Code: E-mail: Principal 

Is the NCO conducted in English only?

Yes.

We have less than 10 students in our school who are interested to take part in the NCO. Can we still enroll for the test?

For less than 10 students from a school, it is not viable for the Foundation to hold the exam. Hence at least 10 students should be enrolled from a school so that a school becomes a test center. 

Give criteria for ranking.

In case of level one exam, the following criteria will apply:

• Marks obtained in relevant level
•  Marks obtained in sections of the relevant level. Each section is accorded separate weightage.
• In the first level exam, one rank may have more than one student.

In case of level 2, the following criteria will apply:

•  Marks scored in level 2 exam.
•  In case of a tie, weightage will be accorded as per following priority:
•  Marks scored in sections in level two exam accorded more weightage.
•  Marks scored in level 1 exam.
•  Marks scored in sections in level one exam accorded more weightage.
•  Past performance of student.
•  Interview conducted by SOF.
•  In level two, no two students will be given same rank.