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    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 for Stage 1 & 2 - Check NTSE Paper Pattern Here
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    • NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 for Stage 1 & 2 - Check NTSE Paper Pattern Here

    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 for Stage 1 & 2 - Check NTSE Paper Pattern Here

    #NTSE
    Dinesh GoyalUpdated on 19 Dec 2023, 04:06 PM IST

    Students preparing for the upcoming NTSE exam must be aware of the paper pattern of NTSE 2024 to devise a preparation strategy. NTSE 2024 exam pattern contains details such as marks allocated to each section, exam mode, duration of the exam and more. National Talent Search Exam is a scholarship test that is held in pen and paper mode. The question paper will contain 2 sections - MAT and SAT, each of 100 marks.

    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 for Stage 1 & 2 - Check NTSE Paper Pattern Here
    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024

    NTSE paper pattern 2024 and syllabus are the same for stage 1 and 2. However, the difficulty level of question papers increases for stage 2. The test duration of each paper is 120 minutes. NTSE 2024 exam pattern helps students to create a strategy for qualifying NTSE 2024.

    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 (Stage 1)

    NTSE 2024 examination is conducted in two stages. Stage 1 is conducted at the state/UT level by the concerned state/UT authorities. The question paper consists of two papers: MAT and SAT.

    The NTSE exam pattern 2024 states that stage 1 examination can be attempted in either Hindi or English language. Every correct answer will fetch 1 mark while there is no negative marking for wrong attempts. Check the NTSE 2024 exam pattern of both stages below:

    Part 1 – Mental Ability Test (MAT)

    • MAT consists of questions based on analytical and logical reasoning.
    • Mental Ability Test evaluates the candidate’s reasoning, ability to think, ability to evaluate, ability to discriminate and visualize.
    • This section consists of a total of 100 questions.
    • The main topics of the Mental Ability Test are series, pattern perception, analogies, coding-decoding, classifications, hidden figures and problem-solving etc.
    • The test duration is 120 minutes.

    Part 2 – Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

    • SAT section consists of a total of 100 questions from Science (40), Social Science (40) and Mathematics (20).
    • The section tests the candidate’s reading abilities, interpretation, evaluation and general awareness of the subjects.
    • The time allotted for the SAT section is 120 minutes.
    • The level of questions will be equivalent to class 10th or equivalent exam.

    Check Class 10 NCERT Solutions for exam preparation

    NTSE Stage 1 Exam Pattern 2024

    Paper

    Number of questions

    Maximum marks

    Duration (Minutes)

    MAT

    100

    100

    120

    SAT – Maths, Science and Social Science

    100

    100

    120

    NTSE Marking Scheme 2024 for Stage I

    NCERT follow a certain marking scheme to shortlist the eligible candidates.

    • For correct answer- 01 marks will be added to the total score
    • For wrong answer- No negative marking
    • For unattempted question- No mark will be deducted for unattempted question.

    Students have to mark a maximum number of correct answers to get good marks in the NTSE examination. Only ones who obtain the minimum cut off marks will be able to receive the scholarship amount.

    It needs to be noted that only the students who qualify in both the papers separately will be considered for merit. Selection of the awardees will be made on the basis of total marks scored in MAT and SAT sections

    NTSE Syllabus 2024 for Stage I Exam

    NCERT doesn't specify NTSE syllabus for both stages. However, it is suggested to follow the Class 9th & 10th syllabus of the state board or CBSE to prepare for NTSE. The syllabus consists of important topics from which questions will be asked in the examinations.

    NTSE Stage-I Syllabus

    SectionsImportant Topics
    NTSE MAT Syllabus

    Blood Relations, Distance and Direction, Coding-Decoding, Ranking and Arrangements, Venn Diagrams, Word Problems, etc

    NTSE Science Syllabus

    Reproduction, Carbon & Compounds, Motion, Measurements, Force, Source of Energy, Work & Energy, Meta & Non-Metals, Acid, Base & Salt

    NTSE Social Science Syllabus

    French Revolutions, World War I and II, Indian Freedom Struggle, Natural Vegetation, Indus Valley Civilization, Climate, Solar System, Maps & Globe, Judiciary, Indian Constitution, Indian Government,

    NTSE Mathematics Syllabus

    Number Systems, Quadratic Equations, Arithmetic Progressions, Square Roots, Percentage, surface Areas, Simple & Compound Interest, Triangle, Linear Equations, etc.

    Check, NTSE previous question papers to know the difficulty level and important topics

    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 Stage 2

    • The Stage 2 exam will be held at the National level by NCERT.
    • In Stage 2, only the shortlisted or qualified candidates of Stage 1 can appear to compete for the scholarship.
    • NTSE exam pattern 2024 for Stage 2 is divided into two parts namely the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
    • There will be 100 questions in both MAT and SAT (Science-40, Maths-20, Social science-40).
    • The duration of both exams is 2 hours or 120 minutes each.
    • There is no negative marking.

    NTSE Exam Pattern 2024 for Stage 2

    PapersMaximum MarksNumber of QuestionsTime Allotted
    MAT100100120 minutes
    SAT (Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences)100100120 minutes

    How to Prepare for NTSE 2024 Exam?

    To qualify for the exam with good marks, one must be aware of how to prepare for the NTSE exam. Below, we have provided some easy tips and tricks-

    • Know the Pattern & Syllabus- It is imperative for a student to know which sections to prepare for the NTSE exam, how much time you have to solve the papers and on which section requires more focus. Students can have answers to all asked questions if they have the complete details of exam pattern and syllabus.
    • Follow the right books- NCERT recommends following the CBSE class 9th & 10th books to prepare for NTSE 2024. However, to get a hold on concepts of MAT, it is better to follow the right NTSE books.
    • Regular Revision- Students should revise the prepared topics on a regular interval to retain the information.
    • Solve Previous Year's Papers- Students must download and practice NTSE Question Paper to know the important topics and marking scheme. Solving the previous year papers also helps students to learn time management, so that they can get better marks in the NTSE stage 1 result.

    NTSE 2024 Preparation Books

    Students should follow the below books to get good marks in NTSE.

    • Mental Ability for NTSE by Disha Experts
    • Study Package for NTSE Class X by McGraw Hill Education

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: What is the relaxation in time provided to Physically handicapped students?
    A:

    PH candidates are provided with an extra 30 minutes to attempt NTSE exam.

    Q: Is there any difference between NTSE exam pattern of stage 1 and 2?
    A:

    No, there is no difference in stage 1 and stage 2 exam pattern. But, the difficulty level of questions is increased at stage 2 exam.

    Q: How does NTSE exam pattern helps in preparation?
    A:

    knowing exam pattern, makes students enable to decide the priority and weigtage of each section/topic, which helps students to prepare accordingly.

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    Questions related to NTSE

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to NTSE ?

    Hello,

    If your school is not conducting the NTSE exam, don’t worry — you can still attempt it. You can register directly through your state NTSE office as a private candidate. Check your state education department’s website for the exact procedure and deadlines. Some coaching institutes also assist students with

    Hello,

    There is no official confirmation yet about NTSE for 2025-26 . NCERT has not announced any schedule or notification for this session.

    Students should wait for an official update from NCERT.

    Hope it helps !

    Hey Srijan:)

    Thanks for reaching out!

    As of now, the NTSE 2025-26 registration date have not been officially announced.Usually the registration process begins in August or September through your state's SCERT or the liaison officer in each state.The stage one exam is generally held in December and stage two in

    Hii

    There's no official UP- specific schedule published yet for NTSE 2025 but for reference you can check the previous year pattern of registration and tentative here https://school.careers360.com/articles/ntse-application-form .

    Most likely NTSE Stage 1 registration forms would release in August or sept.  You must keep eye on UP's SCERT website

    Hello Deeksha

    The NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) 2025 registrations are expected to start in September 2025 or October 2025. The official notification will be released on the NCERT website as well as on the respective state SCERT portals.

    To know more about NTSE: NTSE by CAREERS360

    Thank You!!!