ISTSE 2025–26: Indian School Talent Search Exam (Scholarship Olympiad)

What is ISTSE?

The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is an international scholarship Olympiad conducted by Educational Excellentia, designed to assess students in Classes 1–10 on Mental & Logical Ability, Mathematics, Science, and English.

Exam Modes & Eligibility

• Online (Direct/Individual): Students register personally and take the test from home via a webcam-enabled computer/device.
• Paper-Based (School Mode): Conducted through registered schools.
• Eligibility: Open to all students in Classes 1 to 10.

Exam Pattern & Marking

• Single Paper Exam covering all four subjects.

• Online Duration: 60 minutes

  • Classes 1–4: 35 questions
  • Classes 5–10: 50 questions.

• Mark Distribution (by weightage):

  • Mental & Logical Ability: ~9%
  • Mathematics: ~24%
  • Science: ~24%
  • English: ~12%
  • Scholars Section: ~15%
  • Fair Play / Practice: ~16% reserved for monitoring and system integrity.

• Negative Marking: Applies to wrong answers.

• Top 10 scorers engage in a 30-minute video interview (100 additional marks) to finalize rankings.

Syllabus

Aligned with CBSE/ICSE/State Boards, the test evaluates:

• Mental & Logical Ability: pattern recognition, analogies, sequencing, puzzles.
• Mathematics: arithmetic, geometry, early algebra (grade-level appropriate).
• Science: life & physical sciences concepts across classes.
• English: grammar, vocabulary, comprehension.
• Scholars Section: higher-order application questions in Math & Science.

Preparation Cheat Sheet

Mental & Logical Ability

• Practise puzzles (series, analogies, classification).
• Focus on analytical, pattern-based reasoning.

Mathematics

• Strengthen arithmetic and problem-solving for early classes.
• Advance to algebra, geometry, and word problems for upper grades.

Science

• Grasp core concepts through NCERT or equivalent texts.
• Use diagrams, flashcards, and concept mapping for memorization.

English

• Improve vocabulary and grammar via reading and exercises.
• Practice comprehension with age-appropriate passages.

Scholars Section

• Tackle challenge-level questions; use past puzzle-rich Olympiad papers.

Fair-play Emphasis

• For online mode, ensure familiarity with the AI monitoring setup.
• Conduct mock tests under exam-like conditions with webcam and internet.

Awards & Scholarships

• Certificate Tiers (Online):

  • ≥95%: Scholar Certificate + Gold Medal
  • 90–94.99%: Outstanding + Silver Medal
  • 80–89.99%: Distinguished + Bronze Medal
  • 60–79.99%: Participation
  • <60%: Digital Participation.

• Scholarships (per class):

  • 1st: ₹1,500/month ×12 + Topper Shield
  • 2nd: ₹1,000/month ×12 + 1st Runner‑Up Shield
  • 3rd: ₹500/month ×12 + 2nd Runner‑Up Shield.

• Tie-break Rules: Based on scores in Scholars, Math, Science, Mental Ability, English, time taken, and age.

• School-Level Awards: Scholarships and recognition for top-performing schools, scaled by participation numbers.

Key Dates & Fees

• Online Winter 2025 Exam:

  • Classes 1–3: Nov 23, 2025
  • Classes 4–6: Nov 22, 2025
  • Classes 7–10: Nov 16, 2025.
  • Fee: ₹399 (early), ₹449 (late).

• School-based Exam: Feb 3, 2026; Fee: ₹200.

Quick Facts Table