ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad
Scholarships up to ₹18,000
ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad is a competition by Educational Excellentia for students in Class 1–10, open to students across India.
Mode
In-Person
Eligibility
Class 1–10
Fee
₹200
Duration
60 minutes
Format
Individual
Time needed
1 hour for the exam, plus preparation time.
About This Opportunity
The Indian School Talent Search Exam (ISTSE) is a national-level talent search examination designed for Indian school students from Class 1 to 10. This scientifically developed, skill-based assessment helps identify individual student strengths and weaknesses by focusing on their understanding of concepts and skills from the school syllabus.
This offline, paper-based examination is exclusively conducted through participating schools across India. Students interested in taking the exam must register through their respective schools. The exam covers subjects such as Mental & Logical Ability, Mathematics, Science, and English, with a single question paper for each class.
Participation in ISTSE provides a valuable platform for students to gauge their intellectual potential at national and international levels. It helps students identify academic strengths, monitor year-on-year achievement, and compare their performance with other students. Top performers can qualify for significant scholarships, medals, and certificates, gaining valuable recognition.
The exam is based on the syllabi of CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards, making it excellent practice for school examinations. It challenges students to apply their learning and thinking through stimulating, conceptual multiple-choice questions, enhancing their logical and reasoning capabilities.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 1–10
- Age Range
- 6 - 15 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Open to all students from Class 1 to 10.
Additional requirements
- Must be an Indian citizen.
- Participation is exclusively through registered schools.
Open to Indian students in grades 1-10 (approximately ages 6-15). Participation is exclusively through registered schools. No specific academic prerequisites beyond current school enrollment in the eligible grades. Applicable nationwide.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
The exam syllabus is based on the curriculum of CBSE, ICSE, and various State Boards. It includes conceptual and application-based questions designed to assess a student's understanding beyond rote learning.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
₹18,000 Scholarship
Scholarships are awarded to the top 3 international rank holders in each class, provided they score a minimum of 60% in the exam. International Rank 1 receives ₹1500/month for 12 months, Rank 2 receives ₹1000/month for 12 months, and Rank 3 receives ₹500/month for 12 months. A 30-minute video interview is conducted for the top 10 scorers to determine the final ranks and scholarship eligibility.
Prizes
Medals
Scholar Certificates are awarded with Gold Medals for 95% and above, Outstanding Performance Certificates with Silver Medals for 90-94.99%, and Distinguished Performance Certificates with Bronze Medals for 80-89.99%. School toppers also receive medals based on participation numbers.
Certificate
Participation & Merit Certificates
All participating students receive a Participation Certificate. Scholar Certificates are awarded for 95% and above, Outstanding Performance Certificates for 90-94.99%, and Distinguished Performance Certificates for 80-89.99%.
Opens doors to
Participation and high ranks in ISTSE demonstrate strong academic aptitude and competitive spirit, which can be beneficial for admissions to prestigious universities and specialized programs by enhancing academic profiles.
Recognition
National Recognition
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Scientifically designed, skill-based assessment.
- Focus on conceptual understanding beyond rote learning.
- Provides detailed insights into student strengths and weaknesses.
- Offers scholarships and recognition at national and international levels.
Exam format
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Format
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) Paper-Based Exam
- Language
- English
Rounds & format
The ISTSE is a single-level examination. For top 10 marks holders, a 30-minute video interview worth 100 marks will be conducted to decide the final top 10 ranks.
How entries are judged
Ranks are primarily based on marks obtained in the exam. In case of a tie, higher marks in Scholars' Section, Mathematics, Science, Mental & Logical Ability, and English are considered. Lesser time taken to complete the exam also serves as a tie-breaker. A video interview is conducted for the top 10 scorers to determine final ranks.
Selection process
Selection for scholarships and top ranks is based on performance in the single-paper examination. A minimum of 60% marks is required for scholarship eligibility. For the top 10 ranks, a video interview is conducted.
How to apply
- 1Students must contact their school teacher to obtain and fill out the ISTSE examination form.
- 2The school will handle the registration process and fee submission.
- 3Prepare for the exam by reviewing the syllabus and practicing with mock tests.
How to prepare
- Mock tests (3 provided upon registration)
- Previous years' question papers
- Syllabus aligned with CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards
Fees & financial support
Fee details
The application fee for the paper-based exam through school is ₹200. This fee covers participation in the exam. There are no hidden costs for the exam itself, but students should confirm any additional school-specific charges.
Financial support
Scholarships are awarded to the top 3 students from each class at the international level. International Rank 1 receives ₹1500/month for 12 months, Rank 2 receives ₹1000/month for 12 months, and Rank 3 receives ₹500/month for 12 months. Additionally, school toppers from schools with 500+ participants can receive scholarships. A minimum of 60% marks in the exam is required to qualify for a scholarship. Each winner is entitled to only one award, the higher level award if applicable.
Refund policy
Please check with your participating school or the official ISTSE website for details on the refund policy, as it may vary.
Frequently asked questions
Is ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad free?
₹200 registration
Who can participate in ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad?
Students in Class 1–10. children aged 6-15.
What will my child gain from ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad?
95% or above will get a Scholar Certificate along with a Gold Medal.. 90% to 94.99% will get an Outstanding Performance Certificate along with a Silver Medal.. 80% to 89.99% will get a Distinguished Performance Certificate along with a Bronze Medal.. 60% to 79.99% will get a Participation Certificate.. Below 60% will get a digital Participation Certificate.. The top 3 students from each class will be awarded, Rank 1 - Scholarship of ₹1500/month for 12 months + Topper Shield, Rank 2 - Scholarship of ₹1000/month for 12 months + First Runner Up Shield, Rank 3 - Scholarship of ₹500/month for 12 months + Second Runner Up Shield.. Scholarship of ₹1500/month for 12 months for International Rank 1.. Scholarship of ₹1000/month for 12 months for International Rank 2.. Scholarship of ₹500/month for 12 months for International Rank 3.. Scholar Certificate with Gold Medal for scores 95% and above..
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