The National Talent Search (NTS) 2025 question papers are designed by a team of
eminent academicians from prestigious universities and institutes across India.
For School Students (Classes 8, 9 & 10), the exam pattern is similar to NTSE (by
NCERT) and is divided into two main parts:
- MAT (Mental Ability Test) – Tests reasoning and problem-solving skills
- SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) – Tests subject knowledge
Important Notes - There will be a separate question paper for each class: 8, 9, and 10.
- The MAT section will be common for all classes.
- The SAT section will vary depending on the class.
NTS Exam Syllabus & Pattern
The NTS exam consists of two sets: MAT and SAT. Students preparing for Classes 8, 9,
and 10 must be well-versed with the syllabus to design an effective study plan.
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- Verbal Reasoning
- Analogy
- Alphabet Test
- Classification
- Puzzle Test
- Logical Venn Diagrams
- Blood Relations
- Series
- Verification of Statements
- Logical Sequence of Words
- Coding–Decoding
- Problems on Clocks
- Direction Sense Test
- Analytical Reasoning
- Series Completion Test
- Mathematical Operations
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Inserting a Missing Character
- Miscellaneous Reasoning Tests
- Non-Verbal Reasoning
- Classification
- Analogy
- Series
- Transparent Paper Folding
- Dot Fixing Situation
- Embedded Figures
- Analytical Reasoning
- Problems on Cubes & Dice
- Water Images
- Paper Folding & Cutting
- Incomplete Figures
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Each subject will have 10 questions (total = 50).
- Mathematics
- Algebraic Expressions
- Arithmetic
- Basic Geometry
- Arithmetic Progressions
- Coordinate Geometry
- Percentage & Its Applications
- Direct & Inverse Variations
- Exponents
- Mensuration
- Statistics
- Square & Cube Roots
- Number System
- Surface Area & Volume
- Playing with Numbers
- Quadratic Equations
- Rational Numbers
- Circles & Triangles
- Trigonometry
- Linear Equations
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Probability
- Science
- Air
- Acids, Bases & Salts
- Cellular Level of Organization
- Carbon & Its Compounds
- Diversity in Living Organisms
- Fibres & Plastics
- Food Production & Management
- Human Body
- Magnetism & Electricity at Work
- Life Processes
- Measurement
- Heredity & Evolution
- Light
- Metals & Non-Metals
- Periodic Classification of Elements
- Microorganisms
- Motion & Force
- Our Environment
- Common Diseases
- Reproduction
- Structure of Atom
- Soil
- Sound & Energy
- Work & Energy
- Water
- The Universe
- Social Science
- Atmosphere
- Agriculture
- Biosphere
- British Raj
- Culture, Science & Literature
- Democracy & Elections
- Diversity & Livelihood
- Early States
- Early Medieval Period
- Eighteenth Century Political Formation
- French Revolution
- Indus Valley Civilization
- India & Its Neighbors
- Indian Constitution
- Indian Economics
- Indian Freedom Struggle
- Industries
- Internal Structure of the Earth & Rocks
- Introduction & Sources of Ancient Indian History
- Jainism, Buddhism & Conquerors from Distant Lands
- Local & State Government
- Medieval Architecture & Culture
- Motion of the Earth
- Mughal Empire
- Mauryan Empire
- Nationalism in Various Countries
- Natural Vegetation
- New Empires & Kingdoms
- Our Country – India
- Population
- Popular Movements & Social Reforms
- Resources & Development
- Solar System
- The Judiciary
- The Delhi Sultanate
- UN & International Agencies
- Union Government
- Vedic Period
- Water Resources
- World History
- English
- Grammar (Parts of Speech, Tenses, Active & Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect
Speech) - Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Homonyms, One-word Substitutions)
- Idioms & Phrases
- Sentence Structure & Transformation
- Reading Comprehension (Prose & Poetry)
- Spotting Errors & Sentence Correction
- Paragraph Writing & Jumbled Sentences (Rearrangement)
- Figures of Speech (Simile, Metaphor, Personification, etc.)
- Word Usage in Context
- Basic Writing Skills (Notice, Letter, Story, Dialogue Completion)
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs & Islamic Studies / Deeniyat
A. General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Indian History & Culture
- Indian Polity & Constitution
- Geography of India & the World
- Basic Economics & Everyday Science
- Famous Personalities (India & World)
- Important National & International Events (Last 1–2 Years)
- Sports & Awards
- Books & Authors
- Inventions & Discoveries
- Environment & Ecology
- International Organizations (UN, WHO, IMF, etc.)
- Science & Technology Developments
- Current Affairs (National, International, Political, Economic, Social Issues)
B. Islamic Studies / Deeniyat - Fundamentals of Islam
- Life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
- Basic Beliefs (Iman, Tawheed, Risalah, Akhirah)
- Five Pillars of Islam
- Quran & Hadith (Selected Teachings)
- Islamic History & Contributions to Science, Culture & Society
- Contemporary Issues in the Light of Islam
Recommended Books for NTS (Classes 8, 9 & 10)
A strong preparation strategy for NTS requires the right set of reference books along
with NCERT textbooks.
Below is a curated list of the most useful books for NTS preparation across all subjects:
- Mental Ability Test (MAT)
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal
- NTSE Mental Ability Test Workbook – McGraw Hill
- Objective Reasoning for Competitive Exams – Arahant Experts
- Mathematics
- NCERT Mathematics Textbooks (Class 8, 9 & 10)
- Mathematics for Class 9 & 10 – R.D. Sharma
- Pearson Foundation NTSE Mathematics
- Comprehensive Mathematics for NTSE – Tata McGraw Hill
- Science
- NCERT Science Textbooks (Class 8, 9 & 10)
- Comprehensive Science for NTSE – Tata McGraw Hill
- Foundation Science Physics, Chemistry, Biology – Lakhmir Singh & Manjit Kaur
- Concepts of Physics (Vol I & II) – H.C. Verma (for higher-level understanding)
- Social Science
- NCERT Social Science Textbooks (Class 8, 9 & 10)
- Guide to NTSE Social Science – Arihant Publications
- Comprehensive Social Science for NTSE – McGraw Hill
- English
- High School English Grammar & Composition – Wren & Martin
- Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis
- Objective English for Competitive Exams – S.P. Bakshi
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs
- Manorama Yearbook
- Lucent’s General Knowledge
- Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly Magazine)
- Newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express (for daily current affairs)
These books, combined with NCERT syllabus of Class 8, 9 or 10 (as per the student’s grade),
form the complete preparation toolkit for NTS