Free Practice Questions for SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam

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Key Facts: SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam Exam

The SAMPAD Grade 10 exam is a 125-question, 125-minute unified entrance test for selective high schools in Iran.

Booklet 1 covers 75 academic curriculum questions in 75 minutes across six 9th-grade subjects.

Booklet 2 covers 50 analytical aptitude and non-verbal reasoning questions in 50 minutes.

Every question has four options and applies a one-third negative-marking penalty (+3 correct, -1 wrong).

SAMPAD admission weights the analytical and academic booklets equally at 50% each.

Nemooneh Dolati admission combines the entrance-exam score with the Grade 9 final written GPA, in a ratio set annually by the Ministry of Education.

SAMPAD registration requires a minimum grade point average of 19.00 out of 20 in Grade 8 and Grade 9.

The examination is administered jointly by SAMPAD/NODET and the Ministry of Education via my.medu.ir.

The SAMPAD Grade 10 exam is a 125-minute, 125-question dual-booklet test with one-third negative marking that combines 75 academic curriculum items with 50 analytical aptitude questions to determine selective high school admissions across Iran.

Sample SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a sequence of numbers, each term after the first two is determined by a specific rule: 2, 5, 11, 23, 47, __. What is the next number in this sequence?

A.91

B.95

C.99

D.102

Explanation: Each term in the sequence is obtained by doubling the preceding number and adding one, following the recurrence relation a_n = 2 * a_(n-1) + 1. Applying this rule to 47 yields 2 * 47 + 1 = 94 + 1 = 95. Alternatively, the successive differences between terms are 3, 6, 12, and 24, which double each time, so the next difference is 48, giving 47 + 48 = 95.

2A 3x3 symbol matrix has symbols in each row that follow a consistent transformation. In Row 1: Circle, Cross, Circle with Cross. In Row 2: Square, Triangle, Square with inscribed Triangle. Row 3 contains Diamond, Star, followed by a missing cell. Which figure completes the matrix?

A.Star with inscribed Diamond

B.Diamond adjacent to Star

C.Star with inscribed Circle

D.Diamond with inscribed Star

Explanation: The governing rule across every row is that the third cell superimposes the symbol of the second cell inside the symbol of the first cell. Following this overlay logic, combining the first figure (Diamond) with the second figure (Star) places the Star inside the Diamond. This maintains structural consistency across all three rows.

3A standard six-sided die net is laid out in a cross pattern with four squares in a horizontal strip and one square above and below the second square. If the top square is labeled 1, the central horizontal strip from left to right is labeled 2, 3, 4, 5, and the bottom square is labeled 6, which face is directly opposite face 3 when folded into a cube?

A.Face 1

B.Face 4

C.Face 5

D.Face 6

Explanation: In a linear strip of four connected cube faces, alternating faces fold to become mutually opposite. In the row containing faces 2, 3, 4, and 5, face 2 is opposite face 4, and face 3 is opposite face 5. The two protruding lateral tabs, faces 1 and 6, fold to become opposite each other at the top and bottom.

4Four students—Arya, Bardia, Cyrus, and Dariush—ran a 100-meter race. Arya finished ahead of Bardia. Dariush finished ahead of Arya. Cyrus finished behind Bardia. Who finished in third place?

A.Bardia

B.Arya

C.Cyrus

D.Dariush

Explanation: Connecting the comparative inequalities produces the unambiguous order of finish: Dariush > Arya > Bardia > Cyrus. In this sequence, Dariush finished first, Arya second, Bardia third, and Cyrus fourth. Therefore, Bardia is the third-place finisher.

5In a coded substitution system, the word 'ROSE' is written as 'ILHV'. Using the identical encoding rule, how is the word 'LEAF' coded?

A.PUAV

B.NWYT

C.OXYS

D.OVZU

Explanation: The cipher replaces each English letter with its exact reverse-alphabet counterpart, where the sum of alphabetical positions equals 27: R(18) pairs with I(9), O(15) pairs with L(12), S(19) pairs with H(8), and E(5) pairs with V(22). Applying this rule to LEAF: L(12) becomes O(15), E(5) becomes V(22), A(1) becomes Z(26), and F(6) becomes U(21), yielding OVZU.

6In a 3x3 numeric grid, the three numbers in every row follow the same rule: Row 1 has [4, 7, 17]; Row 2 has [5, 3, 7]; Row 3 has [6, 9, ?]. What number replaces the question mark?

A.33

B.36

C.39

D.45

Explanation: In each row the third number equals the product of the first two numbers minus their sum. Row 1: (4 x 7) - (4 + 7) = 28 - 11 = 17. Row 2: (5 x 3) - (5 + 3) = 15 - 8 = 7. Applying the same rule to Row 3 gives (6 x 9) - (6 + 9) = 54 - 15 = 39.

7A square piece of paper is folded in half horizontally from bottom to top, and then folded in half vertically from left to right. A single circular hole is punched through all layers in the top-right corner of the resulting small square. When the paper is completely unfolded, how many holes appear, and where are they located?

A.Four holes, one near each corner of the original square

B.One hole at the center

C.Two holes on the vertical midline

D.Four holes near the center of the original square

Explanation: The two successive folds divide the square into four quadrants, with the top-right quadrant on top. The outer top-right corner of this quadrant corresponds directly to the outer corners of the unfolded sheet. Therefore, punching a hole in that corner replicates across all four reflections, producing one hole near each of the four outer corners of the original square.

8Given two true premises: 'All mathematicians are logical thinkers' and 'Some poets are mathematicians', which of the following statements must logically follow?

A.All poets are logical thinkers

B.No logical thinkers are poets

C.All logical thinkers are mathematicians

D.Some poets are logical thinkers

Explanation: Since some poets belong to the set of mathematicians, and every member of the set of mathematicians is included in the set of logical thinkers, those poets who are mathematicians must also be logical thinkers. This validates the particular affirmative conclusion that some poets are logical thinkers. Standard syllogistic rules confirm this valid third-figure deduction.

9Identify the missing value in the following alternating numerical sequence: 3, 8, 6, 11, 9, 14, 12, __.

A.15

B.17

C.19

D.21

Explanation: The sequence follows an alternating two-step arithmetic operation: add 5, then subtract 2. Tracing the steps: 3 + 5 = 8, 8 - 2 = 6, 6 + 5 = 11, 11 - 2 = 9, 9 + 5 = 14, 14 - 2 = 12, and finally 12 + 5 = 17. Alternatively, the odd-positioned terms form the sequence 3, 6, 9, 12 (+3 each time), while the even-positioned terms form 8, 11, 14, 17 (+3 each time).

10A solid structure is built on a 3x3 grid from unit cubes. The top view shows a 3x3 grid where every cell contains a cube. The front view shows column heights of 3, 2, and 1 from left to right. The right-side view shows column heights of 1, 2, and 3 from front to back. What is the maximum possible number of unit cubes used in this construction?

A.11

B.14

C.15

D.18

Explanation: The maximum height in any cell (i, j) is constrained by the minimum of the corresponding front view and side view limits: height(row, col) <= min(Side(row), Front(col)). With front limits [3, 2, 1] for columns 1 to 3, and side limits [1, 2, 3] for rows 1 to 3: Row 1 has min(1,3)=1, min(1,2)=1, min(1,1)=1 (sum = 3); Row 2 has min(2,3)=2, min(2,2)=2, min(2,1)=1 (sum = 5); Row 3 has min(3,3)=3, min(3,2)=2, min(3,1)=1 (sum = 6). Summing these row maxima gives 3 + 5 + 6 = 14 cubes.

About the SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam Exam

The SAMPAD & Nemooneh Dolati Entrance Examination for Grade 10 (آزمون ورودی پایه دهم مدارس استعدادهای درخشان و نمونه دولتی) is Iran's premier selective high school admissions test for Grade 9 students transitioning into the second secondary education cycle (Doreh Dovom-e Motevaseteh). Administered jointly by the National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (SAMPAD / NODET) and the Ministry of Education, the test identifies academically gifted and high-achieving students across the country for placement in prestigious Tizhooshan and government exemplar (Nemooneh Dolati) institutions. Beginning in the 1403–1404 academic year (2024), the Ministry unified the testing process into a consolidated national examination featuring two sequential booklets: Academic Aptitude based on the national 9th-grade curriculum (Mathematics, Sciences, Persian, Social Studies, Quran, and Arabic) and Analytical Aptitude measuring non-verbal intelligence, abstract logic, and spatial problem solving. Eligibility mandates a minimum Grade 8 and Grade 9 overall grade point average (GPA) of 19.00 out of 20 for SAMPAD applicants, and a minimum GPA of 17.00 for Nemooneh Dolati applicants, registered centrally via the my.medu.ir portal. This question bank is an independent English-language multiple-choice study adaptation prepared by OpenExamPrep. It provides 100 rigorous practice questions reflecting the cognitive depth, problem types, and curriculum standards tested on the official examination. It is not an official translation, reproduction, or endorsement by SAMPAD or the Iranian Ministry of Education.

Exam sponsor: National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (SAMPAD / NODET) & Ministry of Education. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The joint Grade 10 entrance examination comprises 125 multiple-choice questions across two separate booklets administered in a single testing session. Booklet 1 tests Academic Aptitude (Estedad-e Tahsili) with 75 questions in 75 minutes covering Grade 9 Mathematics (15), Experimental Sciences (15), Persian Language and Literature (15), Social Studies (10), Quran and Religious Studies (10), and Arabic (10). Booklet 2 assesses Analytical Aptitude (Estedad-e Tahlili) with 50 non-verbal and deductive reasoning questions in 50 minutes. Each question has four options with one-third negative marking (-1 mark for wrong answers, +3 marks for correct answers). Admission to SAMPAD schools is computed from 50% analytical score and 50% academic score. Nemooneh Dolati admission combines the entrance-exam score with the candidate's Grade 9 final written GPA; the exact split is set each year in the Ministry of Education directive and is not fixed across cycles.

Time Limit

125 minutes

Passing Score

Merit-based admission: SAMPAD places weight the two booklets equally (50% analytical aptitude + 50% academic aptitude); Nemooneh Dolati places combine the entrance-exam score with the Grade 9 final written GPA, with the exact split set each year in the Ministry of Education directive

Exam / Certification Fees

Registration fee set annually in IRR by Ministry of Education

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Analytical Aptitude & Advanced Reasoning (استعداد تحلیلی)

Spatial visualization, 3D shape rotations, pattern deduction, matrix grids, syllogisms, and non-verbal abstract logic.

20%

Mathematics (ریاضیات پایه نهم)

Grade 9 algebraic factorization, linear equations, coordinate geometry, radicals, similarity, trigonometry, sets, and probability.

20%

Experimental Sciences (علوم تجربی)

Grade 9 physics (motion, forces, pressure), chemistry (atomic structure, chemical bonds), biology (genetics, cellular biology), and earth sciences.

15%

Persian Language & Literature (زبان و ادبیات فارسی)

Literary devices, poetic meter and rhyme, metaphorical analysis, classical Persian syntax, grammar rules, orthography, and vocabulary.

15%

Social Studies, Quran & Arabic (مطالعات اجتماعی، قرآن، عربی)

Iranian history and geography, civics, Quranic reading and ethical teachings (Payam-haye Asman), and Arabic grammar and vocabulary.

Preparing for the SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Merit-based admission: SAMPAD places weight the two booklets equally (50% analytical aptitude + 50% academic aptitude); Nemooneh Dolati places combine the entrance-exam score with the Grade 9 final written GPA, with the exact split set each year in the Ministry of Education directive
Assessment: The joint Grade 10 entrance examination comprises 125 multiple-choice questions across two separate booklets administered in a single testing session. Booklet 1 tests Academic Aptitude (Estedad-e Tahsili) with 75 questions in 75 minutes covering Grade 9 Mathematics (15), Experimental Sciences (15), Persian Language and Literature (15), Social Studies (10), Quran and Religious Studies (10), and Arabic (10). Booklet 2 assesses Analytical Aptitude (Estedad-e Tahlili) with 50 non-verbal and deductive reasoning questions in 50 minutes. Each question has four options with one-third negative marking (-1 mark for wrong answers, +3 marks for correct answers). Admission to SAMPAD schools is computed from 50% analytical score and 50% academic score. Nemooneh Dolati admission combines the entrance-exam score with the candidate's Grade 9 final written GPA; the exact split is set each year in the Ministry of Education directive and is not fixed across cycles.
Time limit: 125 minutes
Exam / certification fees: Registration fee set annually in IRR by Ministry of Education Official sources

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SAMPAD Grade 10 Entrance Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Allocate at least 40% of your preparation time to non-verbal analytical reasoning, as Booklet 2 accounts for 50% of the total score for SAMPAD admissions.

2Master core 9th-grade algebra and coordinate geometry concepts, particularly quadratic factoring, linear systems, and radical simplifications.

3Drill physics formulas for speed, acceleration, net force, and fluid pressure under timed conditions without using a calculator.

4Understand classical Persian rhetorical figures (such as Tashbih, Este'areh, and Jenaas) and practice identifying syntactic roles in complex Persian sentences.

5Implement strict time management by aiming for 1 minute per question, and skip questions where you cannot eliminate at least two incorrect options to avoid negative marking.

6Review historical timelines of the Safavid, Afsharid, Zand, and Qajar dynasties along with physical geography concepts from the 9th-grade Social Studies curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of the SAMPAD Grade 10 entrance examination?

The examination consists of 125 multiple-choice questions administered in two separate booklets over 125 minutes: Booklet 1 (Academic Aptitude) contains 75 curriculum questions in 75 minutes, and Booklet 2 (Analytical Aptitude) contains 50 non-verbal logic and spatial reasoning questions in 50 minutes.

How does scoring differ between SAMPAD and Nemooneh Dolati admissions?

Admission to SAMPAD (Tizhooshan) schools is determined strictly by a 50% Analytical Aptitude and 50% Academic Aptitude weighting. For Nemooneh Dolati schools, the composite score is calculated as 60% Academic Aptitude, 30% final written 9th-grade GPA (Mo'addel-e Katbi), and 10% Analytical Aptitude.

Does the SAMPAD Grade 10 exam have negative marking?

Yes. The examination applies a standard one-third negative-marking penalty: each correct answer awards +3 points, each incorrect answer deducts 1 point (-1), and unanswered questions receive 0 points. Test-takers should avoid blind guessing.

What are the eligibility and GPA requirements to register for the exam?

Applicants must be enrolled in Grade 9. To qualify for SAMPAD school selection, students must have achieved a minimum overall GPA of 19.00 out of 20 in both Grade 8 and Grade 9. For Nemooneh Dolati schools, the minimum required GPA is 17.00. Registration is conducted online through the my.medu.ir portal.

Which subjects are included in the Academic Aptitude booklet?

The 75 academic questions are drawn directly from official Grade 9 textbooks: Mathematics (15 questions), Experimental Sciences (15 questions), Persian Language and Literature (15 questions), Social Studies (10 questions), Quran and Islamic Studies / Payam-haye Asman (10 questions), and Arabic Language (10 questions).

Is this OpenExamPrep question bank an official Iranian Ministry of Education test?

No. This question bank is an independent English-language MCQ practice adaptation created by OpenExamPrep for academic study and skill-building. It is not an official exam paper, nor is it affiliated with or endorsed by SAMPAD or the Iranian Ministry of Education.