Paper Analysis
MAT Syllabus
NTSE status (checked 15 October 2026): NCERT has not conducted the National Talent Search Examination since the 2021 cycle. Its notice states that the National Talent Search Scheme was approved till 31 March 2021, and that further implementation of the scheme in its present form has not been approved and has been stalled till further orders. No NTSE 2026 notification has been issued. The details on this page come from NCERT's last official NTSE information brochure and are given for reference only.
Key Takeaways
MAT had no prescribed syllabus.
It tested reasoning, analysis, visualisation and critical thinking.
Regular timed practice matters more than theory.
NTSE MAT Syllabus
NCERT did not publish a chapter-wise MAT syllabus. MAT questions assessed general reasoning ability. The topics below are commonly seen in NCERT's sample paper and previous papers, and are useful for practice.
Verbal Reasoning Topics
Number, letter and alphanumeric series
Analogies
Classification (odd one out)
Coding–decoding
Blood relations
Direction sense
Ranking and arrangement
Logical Venn diagrams
Non-verbal Reasoning Topics
Figure series and analogies
Mirror and water images
Embedded and hidden figures
Paper folding and cutting
Pattern completion
Counting figures
MAT Topic Summary
Skill | What it checks |
|---|---|
Pattern recognition | Series, analogies and figure patterns |
Logical thinking | Coding, relations, directions and arrangements |
Visualisation | Mirror images, paper folding and embedded figures |
Pro Tip: Maintain an error notebook. Note the trick behind every reasoning question you get wrong, and revise it weekly.
Source: NCERT NTSE Information Brochure (latest published edition).
Official Website
For authentic NTSE information, refer only to official NCERT resources:
NCERT NTSE page: ncert.nic.in/national-talent-examination.php
NTSE information brochure (last published): Download PDF
NTS scholarship portal: ntse.ncert.gov.in
Exam helpline (as listed by NCERT): 011-26560464, ntsexam.ncert@gov.in
Students should not pay any fee or share personal details on unofficial websites claiming to conduct NTSE.
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