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NTSE - National Talent Search Exam

Complete preparation roadmap for NCERT's most prestigious scholarship exam

Conducted By NCERT
Eligibility Class 10 Students
Stages Stage 1 (State) + Stage 2 (National)
Scholarship ₹1,250/month till PhD

Preparation Roadmap

Follow these steps to prepare systematically

1
Week 1

Understand the Exam Pattern

NTSE has two papers — MAT (Mental Ability Test) and SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test). Learn the marking scheme, time limits, and qualifying cutoffs for your state.

2
Week 2-6

Build NCERT Foundation

Complete NCERT textbooks for Class 9 and 10 in Science, Maths, Social Science. NTSE SAT is heavily NCERT-based.

3
Week 3-8

Practice Mental Ability (MAT)

Solve series, analogies, classification, coding-decoding, blood relations, and logical reasoning daily. Use RS Aggarwal Reasoning.

4
Week 6-12

Subject-wise Deep Dive

Go beyond NCERT for Science — study HC Verma concepts, practice Social Science maps and dates. Focus on weak areas.

5
Week 10-14

Solve Previous Year Papers

Solve at least 10 years of NTSE Stage 1 & Stage 2 papers. Analyze mistakes and track your score improvement.

6
Week 14-16

Mock Tests & Revision

Take full-length timed mock tests weekly. Revise all formulas, dates, and reasoning shortcuts. Focus on speed and accuracy.

Recommended Resources

  • NCERT Class 9 & 10 Textbooks
  • RS Aggarwal Reasoning
  • Tata McGraw Hill NTSE Guide
  • Previous Year Papers (2010-2025)
  • FIITJEE/Allen NTSE Test Series

Pro Tips

  • State-level cutoffs vary — check your state's previous cutoffs
  • MAT is the qualifying paper — don't neglect it
  • Social Science carries equal weightage as Science in SAT
  • Start early — 4-6 months before Stage 1 is ideal