NSO Class 3 syllabus
The NSO Class 3 syllabus for 2026-27, subject by subject: 21 topics to work through. On SkillStar, Class 3 children also get 7 mock tests marked instantly and sample papers to download.
- Class
- Class 3 (Grade 3)
- Syllabus years
- 2026-27
- Topics
- 21
- Mock tests
- 7
- Downloads
- 5
NSO Class 3 syllabus 2026-27
Logical Reasoning
- Patterns: Spot the rule in a row of shapes or numbers and pick what comes next.
- Analogy and Classification: Match related pairs and sort items into the right groups.
- Alphabet Test: Questions on the order and positions of letters in the English alphabet.
- Coding-Decoding: Crack simple codes where letters, numbers or symbols stand for something else.
- Ranking Test: Work out positions in a line or order, such as third from the left.
- Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix: Sort figures into groups and complete a grid of figures that follows a rule.
- Mirror Images: Choose how a picture, letter or word looks when reflected in a mirror.
- Geometrical Shapes: Recognise and count shapes like circles, triangles and squares inside pictures.
- Embedded Figures: Find a small figure hidden inside a bigger, busier picture.
- Possible Combinations: Count the different ways things can be arranged or combined.
- Clock and Calendar: Reasoning about clock hands, times, days of the week and dates.
Science
- Plants and Animals: How plants and animals grow, feed and adapt to their homes.
- Birds: Features of birds, their beaks, feet and nests.
- Food, Housing, Clothing and Occupation: Our basic needs and the work people do.
- Transport, Communication and Safety Rules: Ways to travel and communicate, and safety while doing so.
- Human Body: Main organs and body systems in simple terms.
- Earth and Universe: The Earth, the solar system and day and night.
- Matter and Materials: Solids, liquids and gases and what things are made of.
- Light, Sound and Force: Sources of light and sound, and pushes and pulls.
- Our Environment: Our surroundings and how to protect them.
Achievers Section
- Higher Order Thinking questions: Harder application questions on this class's Science topics; worth more marks each.
About the NSO exam
How the exam works
Mode: Offline, objective multiple-choice paper held in school during school hours; each exam date has its own paper. · Levels: Level 1: Classes 1-12, held in the student's own school. Level 2: Classes 3-12 only; qualifiers are the class-wise top 5% internationally, the top 25 per zone per class, and school class toppers (where at least 10 students of that class sat the exam and the topper scored at least 50%). Level 1 questions are about 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class; the Achievers Section and all of Level 2 use the current class syllabus only. · Duration: 60 minutes · Questions: Level 1: Classes 1-4 have 35 questions (Logical Reasoning 5, Science 25, Achievers 5). Classes 5-10 have 50 (Logical Reasoning 10, Science 35, Achievers 5). Classes 11-12 have 50 (Physics & Chemistry 25, Mathematics or Biology 20, Achievers 5). Level 2: Classes 3-4 have 30 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 5-10 have 45 Science + 5 Achievers; Classes 11-12 have 25 Physics & Chemistry + 20 Mathematics/Biology + 5 Achievers. · Marking: 1 mark per question except the Achievers Section: 2 marks each for Classes 1-4 (40 marks in total) and 3 marks each for Classes 5-12 (60 marks in total). SOF's published pattern does not mention negative marking. · Language: English only
How to register
Only through the child's school: the school registers with SOF and sends the student forms, usually at least 30 days before its chosen exam date. Individual registrations are not accepted. Fee: Rs 170 per student per Olympiad incl. GST (India, Bhutan, Nepal), and schools may collect up to Rs 30 extra; US$11 elsewhere.
When it happens
Next Level 1 school dates: 19 November and 3 December 2026. Earlier dates (30 October 2026) have passed. Each school chooses one date; a future exam date does not mean registration is still open. SOF asks schools to submit registrations at least 30 days before their selected date. Level 2 is for qualifying Classes 3–12 only; SOF plans to announce the exact date by December 2026 and provisionally indicates the second or third Sunday of February 2027. This is tentative, not a confirmed exam date. Results are normally available within about 8 weeks. SOF now lists this science exam as International Science Olympiad (ISO); SkillStar retains the NSO category name. Status checked 1 November 2026; times are IST.
Official website, syllabus and sample papers
Links to the organiser's own pages. Past and sample papers are published there by the organiser.
NSO syllabus for other classes
NSO: guides for parents
- SOF Olympiads IMO, NSO and IEO: A Guide for Parents
How the SOF Maths, Science and English Olympiads work: classes, Level 1 and Level 2, the paper pattern, and a gentle way to help your child prepare.
6 min read
NSO Class 3: questions parents ask
- What is in the NSO Class 3 syllabus for 2026-27?
- 21 topics in Logical Reasoning, Science and Achievers Section, laid out subject by subject on this page. On SkillStar your child can tick off each topic as they learn it.
- Are there NSO Class 3 mock tests on SkillStar?
- Yes, 7 mock tests. Each one is marked the moment your child finishes, with a question-by-question review, and can be taken again as often as they like.
- Can I download NSO Class 3 papers?
- Yes. The NSO Downloads tab on SkillStar has 5 files for this class.
- How does my child start NSO Class 3 practice?
- Sign up free as a parent, add your child with their class, and pick NSO from the exam list. Every new family gets welcome credits, lots of content costs nothing, and anything paid shows its price in credits before you decide.
- Is SkillStar the official NSO website?
- No. SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners. Check dates, fees and registration with the NSO organisers.
SkillStar is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the organisers of these exams. Exam names belong to their respective owners.