100+ Free NSEJS Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: NSEJS Exam

60 questions

Total questions in offline exam (48 single-choice, 12 multi-choice)

IAPT guidelines

2 hours

Exam duration (120 minutes)

IAPT

₹300

Registration fee

IAPT

Top ~300

Students qualify for Stage 2 (INJSO)

HBCSE

NSEJS is a 2-hour offline exam with 60 questions testing advanced Class 8-10 science concepts. Organised by IAPT, it is the entry point for the Indian Junior Science Olympiad pathway with a ₹300 fee.

Sample NSEJS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your NSEJS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a velocity of 20 m/s from the top of a tower of height 25 m. Taking g = 10 m/s², what is the total time taken by the ball to reach the ground?

A.5 seconds

B.4 seconds

C.3 seconds

D.6 seconds

Explanation: Using s = ut + 0.5at², where s = -25 m (downwards), u = +20 m/s (upwards), and a = -10 m/s²: -25 = 20t - 5t² => 5t² - 20t - 25 = 0 => t² - 4t - 5 = 0. Solving this gives (t - 5)(t + 1) = 0. Since time cannot be negative, t = 5 seconds.

2A block of mass 5 kg is placed on a rough horizontal surface with a coefficient of static friction μs = 0.4 and coefficient of kinetic friction μk = 0.3. A horizontal force of 15 N is applied to the block. What is the magnitude of the frictional force acting on the block? (g = 10 m/s²)

A.15 N

B.20 N

C.12 N

D.0 N

Explanation: First, find the maximum static friction: fs(max) = μs * mg = 0.4 * 5 * 10 = 20 N. Since the applied force of 15 N is less than the limiting friction (20 N), the block remains at rest. In this state of static equilibrium, the static frictional force exactly equals the applied force, which is 15 N.

3Two bodies of masses m₁ = 1 kg and m₂ = 4 kg possess equal kinetic energies. What is the ratio of their linear momenta (p₁ : p₂)?

A.1 : 2

B.1 : 4

C.2 : 1

D.4 : 1

Explanation: The relationship between kinetic energy K and momentum p is K = p²/(2m) => p = √(2mK). Since kinetic energy K is equal for both: p₁/p₂ = √(m₁/m₂) = √(1/4) = 1/2. Thus, the ratio of their linear momenta is 1 : 2.

4An object is placed at a distance of 15 cm in front of a convex lens of focal length 10 cm. What is the position and nature of the image formed?

A.30 cm behind the lens, real and inverted

B.30 cm in front of the lens, virtual and erect

C.15 cm behind the lens, real and inverted

D.60 cm behind the lens, real and inverted

Explanation: Using the lens formula 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, with f = +10 cm and u = -15 cm: 1/10 = 1/v - 1/(-15) => 1/v = 1/10 - 1/15 = (3 - 2)/30 = 1/30. Thus, v = +30 cm. The positive sign indicates a real, inverted image formed 30 cm on the opposite side (behind) of the lens.

5An electric bulb rated 220 V, 100 W is operated at 110 V. What is the power consumed by the bulb at this lower voltage?

A.25 W

B.50 W

C.75 W

D.100 W

Explanation: Resistance of the bulb filament is R = V²/P = 220² / 100 = 484 Ω. Power consumed at V' = 110 V is P' = (V')²/R = 110² / 484 = 12100 / 484 = 25 W. Since power is proportional to V², halving the voltage reduces power by a factor of 4.

6An iron block of mass 2 kg at 100 °C is placed in an insulated container containing 1 kg of water at 20 °C. What is the final equilibrium temperature of the mixture? (Specific heat of iron = 450 J/(kg·K), specific heat of water = 4200 J/(kg·K))

A.34.1 °C

B.40.0 °C

C.28.5 °C

D.50.0 °C

Explanation: By calorimetry, Heat lost = Heat gained: m_iron * c_iron * (100 - T) = m_water * c_water * (T - 20) => 2 * 450 * (100 - T) = 1 * 4200 * (T - 20) => 900(100 - T) = 4200(T - 20) => 9(100 - T) = 42(T - 20) => 900 - 9T = 42T - 840 => 51T = 1740 => T ≈ 34.1 °C.

7A sound wave travels in air with a speed of 340 m/s. If the wavelength of the wave is 1.7 cm, what is the frequency of the sound wave, and is it audible to human ears?

A.20,000 Hz, audible

B.20,000 Hz, inaudible (ultrasonic)

C.2,000 Hz, audible

D.200,000 Hz, inaudible (ultrasonic)

Explanation: Using v = f * λ, we have 340 = f * 0.017 => f = 340 / 0.017 = 20,000 Hz. Human hearing range is 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Since 20,000 Hz is at the upper limit of the human range, it is considered audible.

8A bullet of mass 20 g is fired horizontally from a pistol of mass 2 kg with a velocity of 150 m/s. What is the recoil velocity of the pistol?

A.-1.5 m/s

B.-15 m/s

C.1.5 m/s

D.0.15 m/s

Explanation: By conservation of momentum, m_bullet * v_bullet + m_pistol * v_recoil = 0. Here, m_bullet = 0.02 kg, v_bullet = 150 m/s, m_pistol = 2 kg: 0.02 * 150 + 2 * v_recoil = 0 => 3 + 2 * v_recoil = 0 => v_recoil = -1.5 m/s. The negative sign represents the direction opposite to the bullet.

9If the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Earth is g, what will be the acceleration due to gravity at a height equal to the radius of the Earth (R) above the Earth's surface?

A.g / 4

B.g / 2

C.g / 9

D.2g

Explanation: Gravity is given by g_h = GM / (R + h)². At h = R, g_R = GM / (2R)² = GM / (4R²) = g / 4. Thus, gravity decreases to one-fourth of its surface value.

10An object weighs 10 N in air. When fully immersed in water, it weighs 8 N. What is the relative density of the object?

A.5

B.2

C.1.25

D.10

Explanation: Relative density = Weight in air / Loss of weight in water. Loss of weight = 10 N - 8 N = 2 N. Relative density = 10 / 2 = 5.

About the NSEJS Exam

NSEJS (National Standard Examination in Junior Science) is the first stage of the selection process for the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO). It is organized by the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) in collaboration with Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) and tests physics, chemistry, and biology at an advanced secondary level.

Questions

60 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours (120 minutes)

Passing Score

MAS (typically ~50% of maximum marks, varies by state merit index)

Exam Fee

INR 300 (Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT))

NSEJS Exam Content Outline

40%

Physics

Mechanics, kinematics, gravitation, electricity, magnetism, ray optics, sound, heat, and thermodynamics

35%

Chemistry

Mole concept, stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, acids/bases/salts, carbon compounds, and reactions

25%

Biology

Cell biology, cell division, plant physiology, human systems, genetics, evolution, biodiversity, and ecology

How to Pass the NSEJS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: MAS (typically ~50% of maximum marks, varies by state merit index)
Exam length: 60 questions
Time limit: 2 hours (120 minutes)
Exam fee: INR 300

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

NSEJS Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master NCERT Class 9 and 10 science textbooks completely before moving to higher levels.

2Focus heavily on the Mole Concept in Chemistry and Mechanics/Optics in Physics — these are highly quantitative and high-yield.

3Attempt previous years' NSEJS papers within the strict 2-hour limit to build speed and accuracy.

4Be careful with negative marking on single-correct MCQs, but maximize attempts on multiple-correct ones which have no penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the qualification criteria for NSEJS Stage 2 (INJSO)?

To qualify for the Indian National Junior Science Olympiad (INJSO), you must achieve the Minimum Admissible Score (MAS), which is 50% of the average of the top ten scores nationwide. Additionally, you must clear the state-wise quota cut-offs determined by the performance of students in your specific state.

Who is eligible to write the NSEJS exam?

Students who are Indian citizens, studying in Class 10 or below, and satisfy the specific age/birthdate window (typically born between January 1 of the eligibility years) are eligible. Students must not have passed their Class 10 boards before the exam year.

What is the exam pattern and marking scheme of NSEJS?

The offline paper consists of 60 questions: 48 single-correct MCQs (+3 marks for correct, -1 for incorrect) and 12 multiple-correct MCQs (+6 marks if all correct options are selected, no negative marking). Total maximum marks is 216.

How should I prepare for NSEJS Physics and Chemistry?

Start by thoroughly studying NCERT Class 9 and 10 textbooks. For Physics, practice numerical problems in mechanics, circuits, and optics. For Chemistry, focus heavily on stoichiometry, the mole concept, balancing chemical equations, and periodic trends, going up to Class 11 introductory level.

Can I take other science Olympiads (like NSEP or NSEC) along with NSEJS?

No, candidates appearing for NSEJS are not allowed to enroll in any of the senior level National Standard Examinations (NSEP in Physics, NSEC in Chemistry, NSEB in Biology, or NSEA in Astronomy) in the same year.