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NMTC 2026 Question Paper
The NMTC 2026 Stage 1 examination was held on 30 August 2026, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon. This page provides the NMTC 2026 Question Paper PDFs for the Gauss, Kaprekar and Bhaskara contests, along with the paper analysis, difficulty level, qualification rule and result updates.The NMTC 2026 Question Paper for Stage 1 was objective-type and tested mathematical aptitude, creative thinking and the ability to solve unfamiliar problems. The examination was conducted only in English. Gauss was for Classes 5 and 6, Kaprekar for Classes 7 and 8, and Bhaskara for Classes 9 and 10.
| Contest | Eligible Classes | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gauss Contest | 5 and 6 | 20 | 2 hours |
| Kaprekar Contest | 7 and 8 | 30 | 2 hours |
| Bhaskara Contest | 9 and 10 | 30 | 2 hours |
The questions focus on problem-solving rather than the direct use of memorised formulas. Students can use the paper to check their responses and identify areas requiring improvement.
NMTC 2026 Question Paper PDF
Students can download the level-wise NMTC 2026 Question Paper PDF below. Select the paper corresponding to the class group in which the student appeared.
Keep the paper for future timed practice after checking the answers.
NMTC 2026 Question Paper Analysis
The official syllabus provides the clearest framework for analysing the three papers. Conceptual depth increases at each level, but every contest tests reasoning and the ability to connect ideas.
| Contest | Main Areas in the Official Syllabus | Primary Skill Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Gauss | Arithmetic, fractions, percentages, divisibility, ratio, mensuration, basic algebra and geometry | Foundational numerical reasoning |
| Kaprekar | Gauss topics plus roots, averages, time and work, equations, identities and elementary number theory | Multi-step application |
| Bhaskara | Earlier topics plus higher algebra, circle geometry, modular arithmetic, sequences, inequalities and combinatorics | Olympiad-oriented reasoning |
Students should compare their responses with the official answer key before estimating a score. Fewer attempts do not automatically indicate poor performance because accuracy and relative institutional performance determine qualification.
Also Read: NMTC 2026 Answer Key PDF for Gauss, Kaprekar & Bhaskara
NMTC 2026 Question Paper Difficulty Level
The official 2026 prospectus states that the screening paper was designed with approximately 20% moderate questions and 80% higher-difficulty questions, with the harder portion broadly similar to Olympiad-level problems. This equals about four moderate and 16 higher-level questions in Gauss, and about six moderate and 24 higher-level questions each in Kaprekar and Bhaskara.
| Contest | Designed Difficulty | Main Challenge |
|---|---|---|
| Gauss | Moderate to difficult | Applying basic concepts to unfamiliar problems |
| Kaprekar | Difficult | Handling multi-step arithmetic and algebra |
| Bhaskara | Difficult to Olympiad-oriented | Combining algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics |
This is the officially intended distribution, not a question-by-question classification. Student experience may vary according to preparation and class level.
Also Read: NMTC Stage 1 Result 2026, Date, Steps to Check & Cutoff
NMTC 2026 Expected Cutoff
There is no single national marks cutoff for Stage 1 under the official selection rule. Participating institutions evaluate the papers using the official answer key and forward only the top 10% of scorers at each level. Therefore, the NMTC 2026 expected cutoff will vary by school, contest and student group.
Selection depends on relative rank within the relevant institutional group. If 50 students from one institution wrote a particular contest, approximately five can be shortlisted. A marks-based cutoff circulating online should not be considered official unless released by the conducting authority.
How Many Students Will Qualify for NMTC Stage 2?
Approximately 10% of Stage 1 participants at each level from a participating institution can qualify for Stage 2. Institutions have been instructed not to forward names beyond this limit. The nationwide number of 2026 qualifiers cannot yet be calculated because the official Stage 1 participation total has not been published.
For context, the official prospectus reports that 82,891 students participated in the 57th NMTC screening test and about 10% reached the final. This is historical context, not the confirmed 2026 participation or qualification count.
Stage 2 will be conducted on 25 October 2026, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It will be a three-hour subjective examination with at most eight questions reflecting IOQM, RMO and INMO-type syllabi.
NMTC 2026 Question Paper: Conclusion
The NMTC 2026 Question Paper PDFs for Gauss, Kaprekar and Bhaskara help students review the Stage 1 examination and understand the expected problem-solving level. Students should check their responses using the official answer key and analyse mistakes in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number theory and combinatorics.
For stronger preparation, students can also solve NMTC Previous Year Papers under timed conditions. Since Stage 1 qualification depends on being among the top 10% of scorers at each level within a participating institution, students should focus on accuracy rather than relying on an unofficial marks-based cutoff.
