Support & Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers about ISTSE Online Olympiad, School Olympiad, registration, syllabus, exam mode, results, awards and technical requirements.
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- Online exam registration and eligibility
- School registration and exam process
- Awards, viva and fair exam conduct
General FAQ
About ISTSE
Start here if you are exploring the exam for the first time.
ISTSE stands for Indian School Talent Search Exam. It is a scholarship olympiad for students of Classes 1 to 10 designed to assess academic understanding, reasoning skills and subject knowledge.
ISTSE typically includes questions from Mental & Logical Ability, Mathematics, Science, English and Scholars Section, depending on the class and exam pattern.
Students studying in Classes 1 to 10 can participate in ISTSE. Individual students can appear through the online exam, while school students can also participate through their school in the paper-based school exam.
ISTSE is conducted in two formats: Online Exam, where individual students register directly and appear from home, and School Olympiad, a paper-based exam conducted through registered partner schools on their campus.
Online Olympiad FAQ
Questions from parents and individual students
These answers focus on the online exam taken from home.
Yes. The online exam is designed for individual students to appear from home using a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a working camera and stable internet connection.
No. The online exam is for direct/individual student participation. Schools that want to conduct ISTSE for their students should use the School Olympiad registration process.
Classes 1 to 4 generally have 35 questions, while Classes 5 to 10 generally have 50 questions. The exam duration is 60 minutes.
Yes. Registered students typically receive mock-test access to understand the interface, timing and exam pattern before the main exam.
ISTSE uses anti-cheating measures and monitoring practices for fair exam conduct. For applicable sessions, top scorers may also go through a video interview/viva before final top ranks are confirmed.
School Olympiad FAQ
Questions from schools and school coordinators
These answers focus on the paper-based school exam conducted through partner schools.
A principal, school coordinator, teacher or authorized school representative should complete the school registration form.
No. Individual students should use the Online Olympiad registration flow. The School Olympiad page is only for school-based participation.
The school exam is conducted inside the registered school campus during school hours, following the instructions and process shared by the ISTSE team.
Students of Classes 1 to 10 can participate through their registered school.
Yes. The ISTSE team provides guidance related to registration, student data collection, exam communication and conduct of the school-based exam. Coordinators may also assist schools in some regions.
Registration & Technical FAQ
Registration support, devices and setup
Important details for a smooth registration and exam experience.
You can register directly through the online registration form. Fill in the student details, choose the correct class and complete the payment process.
Register the student under the class applicable for the exam season announced by ISTSE. If you are unsure, please contact the support team before completing registration.
Students should use a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone with a working camera and a stable internet connection. Using the same device for the system check and final exam is recommended.
Yes. You should run the system-compatibility check and review the exam instructions before the exam date. This helps ensure that the camera, browser and internet connection are working properly.
Awards & Ranking FAQ
How ranks, viva and recognition work
Understand how final toppers, scholars and awards are determined.
There is not exactly a second-level written exam. However, for applicable sessions, top written-score holders may be invited for a short video interview/viva to finalize the top ranks.
Not necessarily. Final top ranks may depend on both written performance and the video interview/viva, as applicable for the session. Multiple students may also qualify around the cut-off.
Interview evaluation may consider number of correct responses, quality of answers, clarity, accuracy and response speed. Incorrect or vague answers may reduce the final interview marks.
Depending on rank and exam rules, students may receive certificates, medals, shields and scholarships. Schools may also receive recognition for school toppers or outstanding participation.
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