I am telling you the pattern of National Talent Search Examination NTSE Exam

NTSE Exam pattern

The objective-type test is conducted in a paper-pencil based format.
The exam is conducted in two phases Stage-I and Stage-II.

Stage-I

The Stage-I is conducted at State/UT level by the concerned State/UT authorities.

The candidates required to select one language either English or Hindi to solve the paper.

Each correct answer is awarded 1 mark

There is no negative marking applicable at this stage.

The paper is divided into two parts and total duration to solve the test is 90 minutes.

Part 1 – Mental Ability test (MAT):

This part contains analytical and logical reasoning based questions.

This section tests the candidate’s reasoning, ability to think, evaluate, ability to discriminate and visualize.

A total of 50 questions are asked to be answered under this section.

Questions are asked from analogies, classifications, series, pattern perception, coding-decoding, hidden figures and problem solving etc.

Part 2 – Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT):

This part consists of 150 questions from Language and Science, Mathematics and Social science.

The section judges the aspirant’s reading abilities, interpretation, evaluation and general awareness of the subjects.

Test No. Of Questions Maximum Marks Time Allotted
MAT 50 Questions 50 Marks 45 minutes
SAT - Language Test 50 Questions 50 Marks 45 minutes
SAT - Mathematics, Science,
Social Sciences 100 Questions 100 Marks 90 minutes

NTSE 2017 Exam Pattern for Stage II

The Stage-II is held at National Level by NCERT, where shortlisted students from State-level exam appear to compete for scholarship.

The paper is divided into two parts – MAT and SAT, like that in Stage-I.

However, a negative marking of 1/3 marks is applicable on every wrong answer marked by the candidate at Stage-II is done for each wrong answer given by the students.

The test is to be completed in 135 minutes.