Cut Off
NTSE (National Talent Search Examination) Cut-off 2025
The minimal score needed to advance to the next round or the final selection is known as the cut-off score for the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE). Stage 1 (State Level) and Stage 2 (National Level) determine the cut-off.
1. Stage 1 Cut-off (State Level)
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The corresponding State/UT Education Boards set the State Level cut-off.
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The number of applicants, exam difficulty, and state policy are some of the variables that affect the cut-off scores.
Category
|
General/OBC
|
SC/ST/PwD
|
Minimum Qualifying Marks
|
40% in each paper (MAT & SAT)
|
32% in each paper (MAT & SAT)
|
Important Note: The Stage 1 cut-off is generally lower compared to Stage 2, and it’s based on the performance of candidates in each state.
2. Stage 2 (National Level) Cut-off
Category
|
General/OBC
|
SC/ST/PwD
|
Minimum Qualifying Marks
|
40% in each paper (MAT & SAT)
|
32% in each paper (MAT & SAT)
|
3. NTSE Merit List
Important Points About Cut-off:
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Cut-off for Scholarship: The final scholarship is awarded based on the Stage 2 performance, not the State Level exam.
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Variation in Cut-offs: The cut-offs may vary slightly each year based on the difficulty of the exam, number of candidates, and other factors.
Additional Information:
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No Interview: There is no interview stage, so the cut-off is purely based on the written exams (MAT & SAT).
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Reservation Criteria: The cut-off for SC/ST/PwD candidates is generally lower than for the General/OBC candidates.
NTSE Qualifying Marks for 2025
The minimal scores that applicants must get on the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) in order to be considered for selection are known as the qualifying marks for the National Talent Search Examination (NTSE).
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Phase 1 (at the state level) Qualifying Marks: The State Education Boards determine the qualifying marks, which are based on the state's requirements, exam difficulty, and candidate volume.
- Nonetheless, the following are the typical minimum qualifying requirements:
Category
|
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
|
General/OBC
|
40% in each paper
|
40% in each paper
|
SC/ST/PwD
|
32% in each paper
|
32% in each paper
|
- Important Note: The aforementioned scores are the typical qualifying scores for each paper (SAT & MAT), albeit the Stage 1 cut-off varies per state.
Stage 2 (National Level) Qualifying Marks:
After candidates clear Stage 1, they are eligible for Stage 2 (National Level), conducted by NCERT.
Category
|
Mental Ability Test (MAT)
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
|
General/OBC
|
40% in each paper
|
40% in each paper
|
SC/ST/PwD
|
32% in each paper
|
32% in each paper
|
Important Details Regarding Qualifying Marks:
Stage 1: Candidates' performance in the relevant state or territory determines their qualifying scores. Students are eligible for Stage 2 if they pass Stage 1.
Stage 2: NCERT sets the minimum qualifying scores for Stage 2, which are the same for all applicants across the country.
No Interview Stage: There isn't an interview stage for NTSE. The MAT and SAT written exams are the only criteria used for selection.
Overall Performance: In order to be considered for selection, candidates must pass both the MAT and the SAT. The final merit list is created using stage two performance.
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