NSO (National Science Olympiad, school level) Exam Survival Guide

Window: Objective + Reasoning | Areas: Physics, Chem, Bio, Logical/Analytical

Must-do topics

• Physics: motion graphs, energy, basic electricity, optics basics
• Chemistry: periodic trends, simple reactions, mixtures/solutions, acids/bases
• Biology: cell, human body systems, plants, ecology cycles
• Analytic: patterns, series, Venn/sets, data interpretation

Top traps (avoid)

• Graph scale misreads; unit slips
• Guessing on multi-select without elimination
• Bio “sounds right” over NCERT facts
• Ignoring “NOT/EXCEPT” in stems

Study split
40% topic drills | 40% mixed mock sets | 20% error-log revisions

Last-48h checklist

• 2 timed mixed papers + review only the wrongs
• Formula/definitions skim (1-pager per subject)
• DI/logic: 30 min speed set

Quick facts/frames

• Physics numericals: G–T–F–U grid
• Chem: trend → exception → reason
• Bio: diagram + function pair

Speed tactics

• First pass: sure shots; second: medium; third: flagged
• Eliminate to 2 options before guessing

Exam-day mini-plan
Start with Analytic → Physics → Chem → Bio; keep 10–15 min for review