NSO Exam Pattern 2026: Know Marking Scheme & Exam Duration

Updated on Feb 27, 2026 11:12 IST

By Salviya Antony, Senior Executive - Content

NSO Exam Pattern 2026: Students must go through the entire NSO exam pattern 2026 to prepare well for the NSO exam 2026. They must divide enough time for each section for effective studying. For classes 1 to 4, a total of 35 questions are asked and the time duration is one hour. While for classes 5 to 12, a total of 50 questions are asked and the total time duration remains the same, that is one hour. The medium of the NSO exam is English.

NSO is conducted during school hours only. The NSO Exam Dates 2026-27 will be released in June 2026. NSO level 1 result 2026 will be released in January 2027. The NSO Exam Dates 2026 will be released online at sofworld.org. Students shouldalso go through NSO Syllabus 2026. They can also refer to the NSO Preparation 2026 to know the right approach on how to tackle the science olympiad.

Table of contents

NSO Exam Pattern Level 1
NSO Exam Pattern Level 2

NSO Exam Pattern Level 1

According to the NSO exam pattern 2026 level 1, the question paper consists of three sections:

For Class 1 to Class 10 Section 1: Logical Reasoning Section 2: Science Section 3: Achievers Section For Class 11 and Class 12 Section 1: Physics/Chemistry Section 2: Achievers Section Section 3 : Mathematics/Biology

Class	Topic/Section	Number of questions	Marks per question	Total Marks
1st to 4th	Logical Reasoning	5	1	5
	Science	25	1	25
	Achievers Section	5	2	10
	Grand Total	35		40
5th to 10th	Logical Reasoning	10	1	10
	Science	35	1	35
	Achievers Section	5	3	15
	Grand Total	50		60
11th & 12th	Physics & Chemistry	25	1	25
	Achievers Section	5	3	15
	Mathematics/Biology	20	1	20
	Grand Total	50		60

Commonly asked questions

Q: Can we appear for the NSO again if we have appeared for it while in lower classes?

Yes. This will give the students an opportunity to improve their previous rankings, and if they are successful in doing so, they will again be eligible for certificates and prizes.

Q: Is NSO conducted in only English?

Yes, NSO exam is conducted in only English. Students cannot appear for NSO exam in any other language.

NSO Exam Pattern Level 2

Class	Topic/Section	Number of questions	Marks per question	Total Marks
3rd to 4th	Science	30	1	30
	Achievers Section	5	2	10
	Grand Total	35		40
5th to 10th	Science	45	1	45
	Achievers Section	5	3	15
	Grand Total	50		60
11th & 12th	Physics & Chemistry	25	1	25
	Achievers Section	5	3	15
	Mathematics/Biology	20	1	20
	Grand Total	50		60

NSO Result 2026

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) will release NSO level 1 result 2026 on the official website at results.sofworld.org. NSO level 1 result 2026 will be released in January 2027. Students can check their SOF NSO Result Level 1 2026 online. Those who successfully managed to qualify NSO 2026 level 1 can sit for NSO 2026-27 level 2 exam.

Commonly asked questions

Q: How many levels are there in NSO?

There are two levels in NSO. Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) held the National Science Olympiad (NSO) level 1 exam in October, November and December 2025. NSO Level 2 exam 2026 was held in February 2026.

Q: How to score high for NSO SOF exam?

Students have to understand NSO syllabus 2025 and prepare accordingly. They should also learn from workbooks provided by NSO. Solving NSO workbooks will help students to know pattern of exam. It will also help them to improve their speed of solving problems.