National Science Olympiad (NSO) FAQS

SOF NSO is a prestigious annual competition for high school students from around the world who are interested in science and its applications. Participants compete in a series of challenging problems that test their scientific temperament and problem-solving skills. The competition aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of scientists and promote excellence in the field of science.

What is the fee for the National Science Olympiad?

Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal have to pay SOF a registration fee of INR 125 and for other countries, it is USD 11 (including GST) per student / Olympiad towards the cost of the examination.

How do I register for the National Science Olympiad?

Students can register for the SOF NSO National Science Olympiad through their respective schools only. Individual registrations are not accepted.

How does a student benefit by taking Olympiad exams?

Participants of Olympiads are ranked on the basis of marks obtained. Hence, after taking the first level of the test, students can judge themselves academically at five different levels - within the school, at city level, at zonal level, at regional level and above all at International level.

Each student is provided a Student Progress Report (SPR). The SPR analyses the strong and weak areas of the student and also gives a detailed performance comparison of the student vis-à-vis other students at School, City, Zonal and International level. Analysis of the student’s past years’ performance is also provided.

Students are suitably awarded/provided scholarship based on their International, Zonal and School ranking. Prizes are announced annually and include cash awards/scholarships, medals, gifts, certificates etc. Selective International toppers from each class are awarded/provided scholarship at a grand prize distribution ceremony held in Delhi, presided over by eminent personalities. Prizes for zonal winners and school winners are sent to their respective schools. For the year 2024-25, a sum of Rs. 24 crores was spent towards awards/scholarships, felicitations, scholarships etc.

Who all are eligible to sit for the Olympiads?

Students of classes 1st to 12th are eligible to appear for the 1st level Olympiads.There is no other eligibility criterion like minimum marks. Students who qualify for the 2nd level exam include.

Top 5% of students’ class wise, who appear for the 1st level exam,
Zone wise top 25 rank holders class wise, and
Class toppers from each participating school where at least 10 students from a class appear in the exam & scores 50% qualifying marks.

Students from classes 1 and 2 are not required to appear for the 2nd level exam and are ranked based on their performance in the first level exam.

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

All the relevant information is sent to the schools registered with us across countries, along with prospectus, registration forms, posters and other details before the first round of exams 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 SOF official website www.sofworld.org or through the SOF facebook page facebook.com/sofworld.

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

Please let us know the name, e-mail ID, complete address of your school along with name and contact details of the Principal. We will send detailed information and registration forms to your School so that your Principal / Olympiad Teacher-in-charge can register your names for the exam.

What is the syllabus for the Olympiads?

The syllabus of the Olympiads is the syllabus as prescribed by the CBSE, ICSE and 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 details of syllabus are also posted on the Foundation’s website. Please click following link to access the syllabus NSO Syllabus.

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

In general, NCERT books/course books prescribed by the CBSE/ICSE/STATE BOARDS may be referred to for the preparation. We also have following books/testseries/resource material for Olympiad preparation:

Additionally, class XI and XII students can refer to the various MTG competitive books and magazines like Chemistry Today, Biology Today, Mathematics Today and Physics for You.

The above books/materials related to Olympiad are published by MTG – the official academic partner of SOF. Website: www.mtg.in

I have already appeared for the Olympiads 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 Olympiad exam. What should I do?

You can request your school authority to send your 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 Olympiads for the first time. Can I get sample papers?

Sample Papers are sent to all schools registered for Olympiad exams. 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 Olympiad exams.
In addition to the sample papers, students may also benefit by subscribing to OSDS – Olympiad Skill Development System (please refer to the link NSO SAMPLE PAPERS for details)

What is the structure and pattern of the examination?

For details please click following link: Structure and pattern

When are the results of Olympiads declared?

Results of Olympiads are declared within 8 weeks of the examination. The results are sent to the schools concerned. The results are also made available on our website.

Can I take part in more than one Olympiad exam?

Although conducted by the same Foundation, ICSO, NSO, IMO, IEO, ICO, ISSO, IHO & IGKO are completely different competitions. Students can register for all the Olympiads in a year as per class eligibility.

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 visit our site www.sofworld.org and www.facebook.com/sofworld.

I have cleared second level of the Olympiad and I have come to know that I am eligible for an award. I am studying in a different school / passed out from school and pursuing further studies. Will I come to know about the date?

As soon as we finalize the date and venue of the presentation ceremony, we send out the information to the schools concerned and also share the dates on our website www.sofworld.org and on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/sofworld. So please be in touch with your previous school or/and access our website regularly.

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 / Science 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?

Send us the complete address of your school in the following format and we will send relevant information and registration forms to you at the appropriate time.
School Name, Postal Address, School E-mail, Principal’s Name, Phone Number & Principal’s E-mail ID.

Are the Olympiads conducted in English only?

Yes.

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

Yes.

Give criteria for ranking.

Please click the following link to know criteria for Ranking.

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