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NSO 2023-24 - Details on NSO Examination
NSO National Science Olympiad is conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). All the students from Class 1 to 12 can participate in the National Science Olympiad. Students looking for any student materials or doubt clearance can register on Vedantu’s site. Vedantu caters to study materials for olympiad preparation.
Students can get free downloadable materials on Vedantu for NSO preparation including syllabus, sample papers, previous year question papers, important question papers, etc. Resources like sample papers, previous year papers, etc. are solved by experts who have mastery over the subjects and are familiar with the Olympiad test papers’ trends. So, what are you waiting for? Register on Vedantu now!
About NSO
The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organizes the NSO on a yearly basis. The Foundation's mission is to promote a scientific mindset among students. It is an educational organization that supports students' intellectual development through various competitions and Olympiads. For more than two decades, the organization has worked to promote a scientific mindset among students across the country through innovative activities. National Cyber Olympiad, National Science Olympiad, International Mathematics Olympiad, International English Olympiad, International Company Secretaries Olympiad, and International General Knowledge Olympiad are some of the major competitions organised by SOF.
The National Science Olympiad (NSO) Exam 2023-24 - Key Dates
The key dates of the NSO exam for the year 2023-24 are provided in the table below. Candidates must check the important dates and tentative dates to stay prepared.
NSO 2023-24- Key Dates
Events | Dates |
NSO Exam Date 1 | 17th Oct, 2023 |
NSO Exam Date 2 | 21st Nov, 2023 |
NSO Exam Date 3 | 05th Dec, 2023 |
NSO Exam Admit Card | Two weeks before the exam |
NSO Exam Answer Key | December |
NSO Exam Stage 1 Result | 4th January 2024 |
NSO Exam Cut-off | To be announced |
NSO Admit Card for Stage 2 | March 2024 Tentative |
NSO Exam Stage 2 Date | March 2024 Tentative |
NSO Exam Stage 2 Result | March 2024 Tentative |
Eligibility Criteria for NSO 2023-24
NSO Level 1 Eligibility Criteria
As per the NSO eligibility criteria, students enrolled in classes 1st to 12th are eligible to appear for the NSO Level 1 exams and there is no minimum marks requirement.
NSO Level 2 Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for NSO Level 2 exam specify that only students between Classes 3 and 12 need to appear in the exam. Additionally, only certain selected students of these classes who qualify for the Level 1 exam of NSO are eligible to appear for the second level. These students include:
Class-wise top 5% of students, who appear for the Level 1 exam.
Zone-wise and class-wise top 25 rank holders.
Class toppers from each of the participating schools where a minimum of 10 students from a class appear in the exam and obtain 50% qualifying marks.
In case section-wise registration is received, students with the highest marks, irrespective of the section, will qualify for the 2nd level. Also, for the section-wise registrations, gold medal winner(s) doesn’t need to qualify for the 2nd level.
Important Points to Note
A student can apply for the exam once a year.
A minimum of 10 students should register from each school for the NSO exam 2023-24.
National Science Olympiad (NSO) Registration 2023-24
NSO registration is mandatory for any student who wishes to participate in the exam. As NSO registrations are accepted only on behalf of the schools, the schools must register with the SOF for their students to be able to appear in the exam. Students from Classes 1 to 12 need to coordinate with their respective schools to come Olympiad (NSO) through their school that they are enrolled in.plete the NSO registration process.
The process for NSO registration 2023-24 are as follows:
Students can register for the National Scienc
The authorised instructor of the school will prescribe the student's roll numbers according to the guidelines.
Students have to submit a copy of their student registration, roll number and school registration sheets to the office of the foundation as instructed by the school.
Students have to pay a nominal registration fee for NSO exam; the details are explained below:
Schools in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh | ₹ 125 |
Schools in other countries | US $9 |
NSO 2023-24 - Exam Structure
The NSO exam structure can be of great help for students who are willing to attempt the exam as it will provide them with an insight into the different sections and type of questions they can expect in the exam. As per the NSO exam structure, the exam duration is 60 minutes and is conducted during school hours only. The medium of the exam is in English. 35 questions in total are asked for students from Classes 1 to 4 while 50 questions are asked for students in Classes 5 to 12.
In order to have much clarity, check out the following table on NSO Exam Structure:
Classes 1 to 4 | |
Particulars | Details |
Subjects | Science, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning |
Type of questions | Objective (MCQs) |
Mode of examination | Written Test |
Exam duration | 1 hour |
Number of questions | 35 questions |
Languages | English |
Marking scheme | 1 mark awarded for each correct answer (Science and Logical Reasoning)
2 marks awarded for each correct answer (Achievers Section) |
Negative marking | No negative marking |
Classes 5 to 10 | |
Particulars | Details |
Subjects | Science, Mathematics and Logical Reasoning |
Type of questions | Objective (MCQs) |
Mode of examination | Written Test |
Exam duration | 1 hour |
Number of questions | 50 questions |
Languages | English |
Marking scheme | 1 mark awarded for each correct answer (Science and Logical Reasoning)
3 marks awarded for each correct answer (Achievers Section) |
Negative marking | No negative marking |
Classes 11 and 12 | |
Particulars | Details |
Subjects | Physics, Chemistry and Maths/Biology |
Type of questions | Objective (MCQs) |
Mode of examination | Written Test |
Exam duration | 1 hour |
Number of questions | 50 questions |
Languages | English |
Marking scheme | 1 mark awarded for each correct answer (Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Biology)
3 marks awarded for each correct answer (Achievers Section) |
Negative marking | No negative marking |
Detailed Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme for NSO 2023-24
Level- 1 and Level-2
Particulars | Specifications |
Number of Questions | For Class 1-4 : 35 Questions For Class 5-12 : 50 Questions |
Total Marks | For Class 1-4 : 40 For Class 5-12 : 60 |
Medium of Exam | Offline |
Types of Question | Objective |
Time Duration | 1 hour |
Negative Marking | No negative marking |
Division of Sections:
Level-1
S.No | Class | Level- 1 (Class 1-10) | Level-2 (Class 3-10) | Medium of Paper |
1 | 1-10 | Section -1: Logical Reasoning Section-2: Science Section-3: Achievers Section | Section-1: Science Section-2: Achievers Section | English |
S.No | Class | Level-1 | Level-2 | Medium of Paper |
1. | Class 11-12 | Section-1: Physics/ Chemistry Section-2: Achievers Section Section-3: Mathematics/ Biology | Section-1: Physics/ Chemistry Section-2: Achievers Section Section-3: Mathematics/ Biology | English |
NSO Olympiad Study Material Available on Vedantu
The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is a science competition open to children in grades one through twelve. It is organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) with the purpose of identifying and nurturing future scientists, technicians, and IT talent in secondary schools.
NSO participants are ranked based on their 1st Level performance. Students can evaluate themselves academically at four different levels after taking the first level of the test: within the school, at the local level, at the state level, and, most importantly, at the international level.
The following students are eligible for the 2nd level exam:
The top 5% of students in each class who take the 1st level exam,
The top 25% of students in each state who take the 1st level exam, and
When at least 10 students from a class take the exam and obtain 50% qualifying marks, the class topper from each participating school.
Students in classes 1 and 2 are not required to take the second level exam and are instead ranked based on their first-level performance. The NSO is a one-level test.
Syllabus for NSO Olympiad
From 1st through 12th grade, the National Science Olympiad syllabus is organised into three divisions for each class. This was done to make sure it was portrayed in a form that was easy to find. Sub-topics are assigned rigorously according to the student's class, and Mock Tests and Sample Papers are also available.
Part 1 | Logical Reasoning section, which mostly focuses on Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning questions. |
Part 2 | This is devoted to science, and it includes all of the pertinent topics and sub-topics. |
Part 3 | The Achievers’ portion is in Section 3. Higher Order Thinking Questions are found in this section, which should be approached only after the preceding two have been completed. |
Tips to Score High Marks in NSO Olympiad
Since its inception, the NSO exams have been a fantastic means to assess a student's knowledge of many disciplines. Although an NSO Olympiad Test covers nearly the same material as a school-based exam, the format and method of the Olympiads are significantly different, making them more rigorous and better assessors of a student's progress.
NSO Exams are used to encourage students to study harder in preparation for upcoming competitive tests and to help them acquire conceptual content. Here are a few pointers to help you evaluate your progress and better prepare for your Olympiads:
Make a List
Students frequently rely solely on the study materials provided for their Olympiads. They look through them exhaustively, believing that this is sufficient; nevertheless, it is not. Making notes as you study aids in your understanding of the material. It's always a good idea to jot down the points that appear important. When you're revising for your Olympiads, these quick notes come in handy because you don't have to read everything twice.
Understand the Syllabus
The first item on your to-do list should be to familiarise yourself with the syllabus for your Olympiad. A good understanding of the syllabus allows you to effortlessly move through the topics, making the task of covering them more manageable. You can see what themes your school syllabus and your Olympiad syllabus have in common, which will help you figure out which things you should focus on more in order to be well prepared for your Olympiad tests.
Begin Early
When it comes to studying for an exam, especially an Olympiad, early is never enough. The more prepared you are, the better. Putting off studies for a later date is not a good idea. Procrastination has its own set of consequences. Olympiads assess your conceptual understanding, which is entirely reliant on your knowledge of the fundamentals. Covering the fundamentals and then delving deeper into the subject are not something that can be crammed into last-minute preparations. If you have to start small, do so, but always begin early when preparing for your Olymp
Perfection Comes with Practise
It is much easier to prepare for Olympiads now that there is an abundance of preparatory books available on the market and the internet. A student must obtain as many sample question papers, Olympiad: Topic Page and previous years' Olympiad question papers as possible in order to acquaint oneself with not only the pattern of the test, but also to practise. Practising guarantees that your problem-solving speed improves, which can be a significant benefit on Olympiad day. Practising also boosts confidence, and the more problems you solve, the more you understand the idea.
Self-Assessment
When it comes to preparing for an Olympiad, simply studying and practising is never enough. One must examine oneself to establish one's own strengths and shortcomings in order to determine where more effort is required and where it is not. Timing yourself while solving sample papers and evaluating yourself objectively helps you examine your performance and mentally prepare for the Olympiad.
NSO Mock test- National Science Olympiad 2023-24 Preparation
To upgrade your knowledge about NSO exam, basic exam structure and subject knowledge, you are advised to include the following steps in to your study schedule:
Downloading Mock Tests available online, you can avail access to Vedantu’s study material which is reliable and free to download.
Making a disciplined time-table for giving time to NSO mock tests.
Try solving Mock tests without seeking answers from the internet and then analyse your knowledge.
Practise multiple mock tests to get experience of the real exam.
NSO Admit Card 2023-24
Students can collect their admit cards from their respective school coordinators. The Admit card will be released around 1 week before the exam date. You can also download your admit card by visiting the official website of SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation).
NSO Answer Key 2023-24
Science Olympiad Foundation will release the NSO answer key of examination set- A, B and C in December 2023-24 tentatively. The NSO answer key is released for students to check accurate answers to each question, you can analyse your performance based on the answer key and calculate your estimated score. The NSO answer key will be released on the official website of SOF.
NSO - Results
NSO Results are typically declared within 8 weeks after the examination is conducted. The NSO results of the students are sent to the schools concerned. The tentative dates of NSO results are March 2023. Additionally, NSO results are also made available on the official website of SOF. Students can check their NSO result score using their roll number.
NSO 2023-24 Result Highlights
Result date | 1st week of January 2024 |
Official Site | https://sofworld.org/ |
How to Check Results?
Students can check the result by visiting the official site of Science Olympiad Foundation and clicking on the result 2023-24 tab. Students can also ask their school coordinator for help to check their results.
NSO 2023-24 Cut Off Marks
The NSO 2023-24 cut off marks are determined by the SOF and are released in the week(s) following the conduct of the exam. The NSO cut off determines the qualifying score and also the students of Classes 3 to 12 who will qualify for the 2nd level exams. The NSO cut off is determined by several factors such as the number of students who appeared for the exam, difficulty level of the question paper etc.
Conclusion
This was the complete and detailed discussion of the NSO exam for the year 2023-24. We hope the aspiring students have found sufficient information and updated through this article. Take note of all key dates and start preparing to ace the exam. You can also visit our website and download previous year question papers, sample papers and other study materials to give you preparation in the right direction.
FAQs on NSO National Science Olympiad 2023-24
1. What are the exam highlights for the NSO olympiad?
NSO Olympiad is held once a year by SOF Science Olympiad Foundation. It expertises in scientific knowledge and scientific reasoning skills. It has 2 levels, students from class 1- 12 can apply for NSO level 1 exam and students from class 3-12 are eligible for NSO level 2 exam.
2. What is the prize of the NSO exam?
The prize of NSO exam is given to the students that achieve a place among top-rank holders.
1st Rank holder Rs 5000 and is awarded with Zonal Gold Medal. A Certificate of Excellence is also provided.
2nd Rank holder receives Rs 2500 and is awarded with Zonal Silver Medal. A Certificate of Excellence is also provided.
3rd Rank holder receives Rs 1000 and is awarded with Zonal Bronze Medal. A Certificate of Excellence is also provided.
3. What are the key points for the NSO Olympiad?
The SOF NSO exam will be conducted entirely online from 2023-24. Students will receive their roll numbers, rules, and exam URLs immediately to their shared mobile numbers.
Each school may choose a date for the SOF NSO that is convenient for them from the dates listed above.
The test will be conducted entirely in English.
Any questions about the exam date, rules and regulations, or exam pattern can be answered by contacting SOF by phone at 0124-4951200 or by email at info@sofworld.org.
4. What is the importance of an admit card for the NSO Olympiad ?
The NSO Admit Card is one of the most important documents that students must bring to the examination centre. Admit cards are available from the schools where the students are enrolled. In the event that students do not receive their admission cards, they can request that their Principal or Science Teacher notify the conducting authority of the non-receipt. The conducting authority will deliver duplicate copies to the schools upon request.
5. What is the significance of the NSO result and how to download it ?
After the tests are completed, the NSO announces the results within 7 to 8 weeks. Students can use their roll numbers to check their grades. In December 2023-24 (expectedly), SOF will announce the results of SOF NSO 2023-24. Students can get their results via their schools or by going to the official website. Notably, students who pass the NSO level 1 test will be entitled to take the NSO level 2 exam in March 2023(tentatively).