NSO 2026-27 Preparation for Classes 1–5: What's Tested and How to Practise

The SOF National Science Olympiad (NSO), listed on some SOF pages as ISO, is the second most popular Olympiad in Indian primary schools. Many schools chose a date in the next few weeks, so now is a good time to start short, regular practice.

NSO 2026-27 Level 1 dates

SOF's three options are 30 October, 19 November and 3 December 2026. Each school picks one, so check with your school's coordinator.

NSO exam pattern

The paper has three sections: Logical Reasoning, Science and the Achievers Section.

• Classes 1–4: 35 questions, 40 marks, 60 minutes
• Class 5: 50 questions, 60 marks, 60 minutes

Questions are multiple-choice with no negative marking. The Science section carries the most weight, and the Achievers section has fewer, harder questions worth more marks each.

What science topics come up, by class

NSO follows the school syllabus closely. The usual themes:

• Classes 1–2: living and non-living things, plants and animals around us, our body and senses, food, our home and surroundings, air, water and weather.
• Classes 3–4: plant parts and their functions, animal habitats and food habits, our body systems (simply), food and health, states of matter, the earth and sky.
• Class 5: the above in more depth, plus simple machines, rocks and soil, natural resources, and the solar system.

Use your child's own school science book as the topic checklist, since NSO questions build on it.

Sample NSO-style questions (with answers)

1. Which of these is non-living? (a) Mushroom (b) Cloud (c) Sparrow (d) Mango tree
   Answer: (b) Cloud.
2. Which part of a plant makes its food?
   Answer: The leaf.
3. When ice melts into water, it changes from ___ to ___.
   Answer: solid to liquid.
4. Achievers: A green plant is kept in a dark cupboard for a week. Its leaves turn pale yellow. Why?
   Answer: Without sunlight the plant cannot make its food, so its leaves lose their green colour.

How NSO questions differ from school tests

School tests often ask children to recall a fact. NSO asks them to use it, for example by picking the odd one out among four animals, or by working out what happens next in a short experiment described in the question. The best preparation is lots of short "why?" questions, not memorising more facts.

A 3-week NSO plan

Week 1: Cover the syllabus

Ten minutes a day of mixed science questions across every chapter your child has studied. Note the weak chapters.

Week 2: Weak chapters and reasoning

Focus on the two weakest chapters, plus 5 logical reasoning questions a day. That section is shared with IMO and NCO.

Week 3: Timed practice

One 60-minute practice paper, then light, confidence-building revision. Talk about science outside study time too: cooking, plants on the balcony, the weather.

Exam-day tips

• Read every option before choosing. NSO often has two answers that look right.
• Attempt every question. There is no negative marking.
• Look for clues in diagrams. Many questions are answered by the picture.

Taking IMO too? See the IMO 2026-27 pattern and prep plan.

Practise for free with Brain & Bounce Kids

Brain & Bounce Kids' Olympiad-ready Science track covers the living world, the human body, plants, animals, earth and sky for Grades 1–5, with short adaptive sessions and a Parent Zone that shows which chapters need attention.

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Brain & Bounce Kids is an independent practice app and is not affiliated with the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). Exam dates and patterns are from SOF's published 2026-27 schedule. Please confirm the exact date with your child's school Olympiad coordinator or at sofworld.org.