Somewhere between studying too hard with excitement and dreading the aftermath of the Olympiads, SOF declared the syllabus, exam dates, and the pattern for NSO. Relax, the odds are in your favour! As we always suggest, if a student has made up their mind about their ultimate goal, then there’s nothing stopping them. The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is an annual school-level competitive exam organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for grades 1st through 12th. This exam assesses a student’s skills, conceptual understanding, and scientific abilities outside of their regular school education. We have suggested how to prepare for it and other Olympiads by providing a step-by-step guide for Olympiads and the best study material recommendations for revising and practicing – NSO Olympiad workbooks and level 1 papers of NSO. These resources will ensure your success with completely solved, with detailed explanations for each question to strengthen your concepts.
NSO Exam Date
SOF National Science Olympiads (NSO) will be held on three dates this year. Moreover, the school can choose a single date at its convenience.
| Date one | 13th November |
| Date two | 27th November |
| Date three | 11th December |
Must Read: – Olympiad Online Classes by MTG – Prepare For Olympiad Exams With The Olympiad Experts
Also Check – NSO Level 2 Sample Papers with Solutions | For Classes 3-8
SOF NSO Syllabus 2025-26
The syllabus for the NSO (National Science Olympiad) has already been published on the official SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) website. This Olympiad will be held entirely in English. Moreover, approximately 56,000 students are expected to take the exam this year. Those interested in participating should review the NSO syllabus, provided below, and begin their preparation. Hence, the NSO syllabus for classes 1st to 12th.
Dont forget to check – NSO Eligibility Criteria
| NSO Science Olympiad Syllabus Class 1 to 12 |
|---|
| NSO Syllabus Class 1 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 2 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 3 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 4 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 5 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 6 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 7 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 8 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 9 |
| NSO Syllabus Class 10 |
CLASS 11 SYLLABUS
Section – 1 : Physics : Units and Measurements, Mechanics, Properties of Matter, Heat and Thermodynamics, Oscillations, Waves. Chemistry : Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry, Structure of Atom, Classification of Elements and Periodicity in Properties, Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure, States of Matter, Thermodynamics, Equilibrium, Redox Reactions, Hydrogen, The s-Block Elements, The p-Block Elements (Groups 13 and 14), Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques, Hydrocarbons, Environmental Chemistry.
Section – 2 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1.
Section – 3 : Sets, Relations and Functions, Principle of Mathematical Induction, Logarithms, Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations, Linear Inequations, Sequences and Series, Trigonometry, Straight Lines, Conic Sections, Permutations and Combinations, Binomial Theorem, Statistics, Mathematical Reasoning, Limits and Derivatives, Probability, Introduction to 3-D Geometry
OR
Section – 3 : Diversity in the Living World, Structural Organisation in Plants and Animals, Cell : Structure and Functions, Plant Physiology, Human Physiology.
CLASS 12 SYLLABUS
Section – 1 : Physics : Electricity and Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Alternating current, Electromagnetic waves, Optics, Modern Physics, Semiconductor Electronics, Communication Systems. Chemistry : Solid State, Solutions, Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry, General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements, p-Block Elements (Group 15 to 18), d- & f-Block Elements, Coordination Compounds, Haloalkanes and Haloarenes, Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids, Amines, Biomolecules, Polymers, Chemistry in Everyday Life.
Section – 2 : Higher Order Thinking Questions – Syllabus as per Section – 1.
Section – 3 : Relations and Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Matrices and Determinants, Continuity and Differentiability, Application of Derivatives, Integrals, Application of Integrals, Differential Equations, Vector Algebra, Three Dimensional Geometry, Probability, Linear Programming.
OR
Section – 3 : Reproduction, Genetics and Evolution, Biology in Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Questions of level -1 Olympiad exams will be 60% from the current class syllabus and 40 % from the previous class syllabus, e.g Class -7th NSO exam will have 60% questions from class-7th and 40% questions from he class 6th (Not to mention this can not be applied on class 1st)
- Questions of level – 2 Olympiad exams will be from the current class syllabus only. ( Not applied on class 1st and 2nd )
- Questions in the Achievers section will be from the current class syllabus only.
Most students do not bother to look at the syllabus, but it is necessary to determine which topics to prioritize over others. Examine the NSO syllabus and the exam pattern mentioned above thoroughly and make a note of the mark distribution for each section. Pick the best and most comprehensive study material which could coherently strengthen and enhance students’ understanding of the scientific facts required to ace SOF NSO. MTG publishes NSO workbooks, previous year’s papers, and the Olympiad Skill Development System (OSDS) to provide you with the best NSO study material.
A comprehensive preparation guide is essential whether you compete in NSO for the first time or are a regular at Olympiads. Therefore, the student must read the step-by-step guide for SOF Olympiad exam preparation and Olympiad prep guide to create a strong flow and pattern to follow. It should be noted that while taking the NSO exam is easier, getting an international rank is extremely difficult. Thus, what’s better than recorded lectures of live Olympiad Online classes to enhance your analytical thinking with the guidance of an expert who knows every rhythm of Olympiad exams? Get the Olympiad recorded classes by MTG if missed the Online Olympiad Classes.
To succeed in your National Science Olympiad, you must make a concerted and consistent effort. We hope the above Olympiad preparation tips help you understand how to prepare for National Science Olympiad. Moreover, before you begin studying for the NSO exams, make sure you have all of the necessary information, such as the syllabus, exam pattern, etc. This will aid you in organizing your study plan and mind and reduce the stress of preparation and exam day. All the best!
Also Read: – Why Reasoning Workbook Is Important For Olympiads Preparation
