NTSE Exam Preparation
National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) — Class X scholarship exam with two stages: Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
MAT — Mental Ability
Verbal reasoning, non-verbal patterns and quantitative aptitude
Browse Topics →SAT — Scholastic Aptitude
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and Social Studies
Browse Topics →The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is a national-level scholarship examination for Class X students, associated with the NCERT. It identifies and nurtures talented students through a scholarship awarded on the basis of aptitude and scholastic ability.
The examination is conducted in two stages and has two papers — the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Practising both reasoning and subject questions topic-wise is the most effective way to prepare.
| Associated body | NCERT |
| Level | Class X students |
| Stages | Stage 1 (state-level) and Stage 2 (national-level) |
| Paper 1 — MAT | Mental Ability Test: 100 questions, 100 marks |
| Paper 2 — SAT | Scholastic Aptitude Test: 100 questions, 100 marks (Science, Social Science, Mathematics) |
| Question type | Objective multiple-choice |
- Mental Ability (MAT) — analogies, series, coding-decoding, pattern perception and problem solving
- Mathematics — broadly the Class 9 and 10 syllabus
- Science — Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Class 9–10 level
- Social Science — History, Geography, Civics and Economics
- Give the Mental Ability Test equal importance — reasoning is highly scoring with regular practice.
- Cover the Class 9 and 10 NCERT syllabus thoroughly for the SAT.
- Practise previous-year questions to get used to the pattern and time pressure.
- Work on speed and accuracy together with timed topic-wise tests.
What are the two papers in NTSE?
The Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The SAT covers Science, Social Science and Mathematics.
Which class can take NTSE?
It is meant for students studying in Class X.
What kind of questions are asked?
Objective multiple-choice questions — reasoning in the MAT, and subject questions in the SAT.
How should I prepare for NTSE?
Practise reasoning regularly, revise the Class 9–10 syllabus, and solve previous-year papers under timed conditions.
Are these NTSE practice questions free?
Yes. All NTSE practice on Safe Learning for Kids is free, with explanations.