NTSE 2026 Exam Pattern

NTSE 2026 – Exam Pattern (Stage I & Stage II)

The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) 2026 is conducted in two stages – Stage I (State Level) and Stage II (National Level). Both stages consist of two separate papers:

• Paper I: Mental Ability Test (MAT) – Tests logical and analytical reasoning abilities.
• Paper II: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) – Tests knowledge in Science, Mathematics, and Social Science.

Understanding the exam pattern thoroughly is essential for effective preparation. This guide provides the complete exam pattern for NTSE 2026, including question distribution, marking scheme, duration, and language options.

NTSE 2026 – Exam Pattern Highlights

NTSE 2026 – Stage I Exam Pattern (State Level)

Stage I is conducted by the respective State/UT authorities. Candidates must select one language – English or Hindi – at the time of application. There is no negative marking in Stage I.

Note: The two papers (MAT and SAT) are conducted separately. Candidates are required to appear for both papers on the same day with a break in between.

NTSE 2026 – Stage II Exam Pattern (National Level)

Stage II is conducted by NCERT at the national level. Only students who qualify Stage I are eligible to appear for Stage II. The exam pattern for Stage II is identical to Stage I.

Note: Candidates must qualify separately in both papers (MAT and SAT) to be considered for the final merit list. A merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in MAT and SAT.

NTSE 2026 – Detailed Section-Wise Breakdown

Paper I: Mental Ability Test (MAT)

The MAT section consists of 100 questions testing logical and analytical reasoning abilities. The questions are divided into verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics:

Paper II: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

The SAT section consists of 100 questions distributed across three subjects:

Science Topics: Acids, Bases and Salts; Air; Carbon and its Compounds; Cellular Level of Organisation; Diversity in Living Organisms; Fibers and Plastics; Food Production and Management; Heredity and Evolution; Light; Life Processes; Magnetism and Electricity; Measurements; Metals and Non-Metals; Microorganisms; Our Environment; Periodic Classification of Elements; Physical and Chemical Changes; Reproduction; Some Common Diseases; Sound; Sources of Energy; Structure of Atom; The Universe; Water; Work and Energy.

Mathematics Topics: Algebraic Expressions; Arithmetic; Arithmetic Progressions; Basic Geometry; Circles; Coordinate Geometry; Direct and Inverse Variation; Exponents and Powers; Linear Equations; Mensuration; Number System; Percentage and Its Applications; Playing with Numbers; Probability; Quadratic Equations; Rational Numbers; Simple and Compound Interest; Square Roots and Cube Roots; Statistics; Surface Areas and Volumes; Triangles; Trigonometry.

Social Science Topics: History (Culture, Science and Literature; Early Medieval Period; Indus Valley Civilization; Jainism and Buddhism; Medieval Architecture; National Movement; New Empires and Kingdoms; The Mauryan Empire; The Mughal Empire; Revolt of 1857); Civics (Democracy; Indian Constitution; Union Government; State Government; Judiciary; Local Self-Government; UN and International Agencies); Geography (Atmosphere; Agriculture; Industries; Internal Structure of Earth; Natural Vegetation; Our Country – India; Population; Resources and Development; Solar System).

NTSE 2026 – Qualification Criteria for Stage II

• Stage I Qualification: Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks (cut-off) prescribed for their category in Stage I to be eligible for Stage II. The cut-off varies by state and category.
• Sectional Cut-off: Candidates must qualify separately in both MAT and SAT sections. Even if the overall score is above the cut-off, failure to qualify in any one section will result in disqualification.
• Merit List for Stage II: A merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in MAT and SAT in Stage II. Scholarships are awarded to candidates based on this merit list.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – NTSE 2026 Exam Pattern

1. How many papers are there in NTSE 2026?
NTSE 2026 consists of two papers – Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This pattern is the same for both Stage I and Stage II.

2. What is the total marks for NTSE 2026?
The total marks for NTSE 2026 are 200 marks – 100 marks for MAT and 100 marks for SAT.

3. How many questions are asked in NTSE 2026?
There are 200 questions in total – 100 questions in MAT and 100 questions in SAT.

4. Is there negative marking in NTSE 2026?
No. There is no negative marking in NTSE. One mark is awarded for each correct answer, and no marks are deducted for incorrect or unattempted questions.

5. What is the duration of NTSE 2026?
Each paper (MAT and SAT) is of 2 hours (120 minutes) duration. Both papers are conducted on the same day with a break in between.

6. What is the subject-wise distribution in SAT?
The SAT consists of 100 questions distributed as: Science – 40 questions, Mathematics – 20 questions, and Social Science – 40 questions.

7. Can I choose the language of the question paper?
Yes. Candidates can choose between English and Hindi as the medium of the question paper. The choice must be made during the application process and cannot be changed later.

8. Is the exam pattern same for Stage I and Stage II?
Yes. The exam pattern for both Stage I and Stage II is identical – 100 questions each in MAT and SAT, with the same marking scheme and duration.

9. Do I need to qualify separately in MAT and SAT?
Yes. Candidates must qualify separately in both MAT and SAT to be considered for the final merit list and scholarship.

10. What type of questions are asked in MAT?
MAT consists of logical and analytical reasoning questions, including both verbal and non-verbal reasoning topics such as analogy, classification, series, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, Venn diagrams, cubes and dice, and paper folding.

Important Notes and Disclaimers

• This page is updated for NTSE 2026 (Stage I and Stage II) based on the official exam pattern prescribed by NCERT.
• The exam pattern remains largely consistent year-on-year. However, candidates are advised to check the official notifications from NCERT and their respective State/UT Liaison Officers for any updates.
• For the latest updates, circulars, and examination dates, candidates must regularly visit the official NCERT website (https://www.ncert.nic.in).
• For specific queries related to NTSE exam pattern, candidates may contact their school authorities or State/UT Liaison Officer.

This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas has verified the information from official sources (ncert.nic.in). However, candidates must refer to official notifications from NCERT and their respective State/UT authorities for final confirmation.