NSO FAQs

How does a student benefit by taking NSO ?

Participants of NSO 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 and state level, and above all at All-India level. Finally students are suitably awarded based on their national ranking. Prizes include medals, books and magazines, cash prizes, computers, CDs, etc. The prizes for the first 3 toppers of each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony presided over by an eminent personality. Rest of the prizes are either sent to the schools or can be collected from the Foundation office after announcement.

Who all are eligible to sit for the NSO?

Students of classes 2nd to 12th are eligible to appear for the NSO. There is no other eligibility criteria like minimum marks. The top 500 All-India ranked students and the school toppers from each class (with minimum 25 students enrolled from particular class) are eligible to appear in the 2nd level exam.

I am interested to take part in the NSO. 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 along with prospectus and registration forms and posters 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. The students come to know about the necessary details from their school teachers or through the Foundation's official website i.e. www.sofworld.org

Myself and few of my friends are interested to take part in the NSO but our school has not yet received...

Let us know the complete address of your school. We will send detailed information and registration forms to your School so that your Principal / Science Teacher can register your names for the exam.

What is the syllabus for the NSO?

The syllabus of the NSO is the Science 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).

Are there any special books which the participants should refer to for the NSO preparation?

There are no special books as such. In general, NCERT books prescribed by the CBSE are sufficient for the preparation. Additionally, class XI and XIIth students can refer to the various publications like Chemistry Today, Biology Today, Mathematics Today and Physics For You, MTG Read ‘n’ Tick Classwise NSO Workbooks, etc. which contain useful matter including solved and model test papers of various national and International Olympiads. The above magazines and books related to Olympiad are published by MTG ( website : www.mtg.in of Olympiad books).

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

SOF does not encourage individual participation. Students have to register through their schools only.

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

Definitely yes. 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 despatched the registration form. I am left out and I want to register myself for the NSO. What should I do?

You can request your school authority to send your exam relevant details and fee immediately to us. We accept it if it reaches us before the last date of registration (usually 4 weeks before the exam).

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

Sample Papers are sent to all the registered schools. SOF website also contains these papers. Sample papers sent to the schools prior to the first level test are helpful and can be used for both levels of NSO.

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