NMMS Uttar Pradesh 2026 exam on 01 November: download question papers for scholarship
In short
- The NMMS Uttar Pradesh exam for Class 8 students will be conducted on 01 November 2026.
- The scholarship provides financial assistance of ₹12,000 per year from Class 9 to 12.
- Students can download previous year's question papers for MAT and SAT from their state's official SCERT website.
- The exam consists of 180 multiple-choice questions across Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) sections.
- General category students need 40% in both MAT and SAT separately to qualify, while reserved categories require 32%.
Students from economically weaker backgrounds in Class 8 in Uttar Pradesh are preparing for the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMS) examination, scheduled for 01 November 2026. This scheme aims to provide financial assistance to support their education and reduce the risk of dropping out due to financial constraints.
The scholarship offers ₹12,000 per year from Class 9 to 12 to 1,00,000 students across the country annually. Prospective candidates can access previous years’ question papers and exam information through the official State Education Board (SCERT) websites of their respective states.
NMMS Uttar Pradesh Exam Structure and Syllabus
The NMMS exam evaluates students’ mental ability and scholastic aptitude through two main papers: the Mental Ability Test (MAT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Each paper consists of 90 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and has a duration of 90 minutes, making the total exam time 180 minutes for 180 marks. The MAT focuses on logical reasoning, analytical ability, and problem-solving, while the SAT covers Science (35 questions), Social Science (35 questions), and Mathematics (20 questions).
The syllabus for the NMMS exam generally aligns with the NCERT and state board Class 7 and 8 curricula, with some state-specific variations. Blank pages are provided in the question booklet for rough work, and answers must be shaded on a separate OMR Answer Sheet using only a Blue or Black Ballpoint Pen. Candidates are required to write the series (A, B, C, D, and E) of their question paper on the OMR sheet and submit it to the invigilator upon completion.
| Paper Name | Duration | Total Marks | Number of Questions | Question Type | Main Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | 90 minutes | 90 marks | 90 | Multiple Choice Questions | Logical reasoning, analytical ability, problem-solving |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | 90 minutes | 90 marks | 90 | Multiple Choice Questions | Science, Mathematics, Social Science, English, regional language |
| Exam Paper | Subject / Area | Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test (MAT) | Reasoning & Aptitude | Analogies, Classification, Coding–Decoding Series & Patterns Series, Pattern Completion Logical Reasoning Blood Relations, Direction Sense Applied Reasoning Clocks, Calendars, Problem Solving, Logical Reasoning |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | Science | Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | Mathematics | Algebra, Geometry, Arithmetic, Data Interpretation |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | Social Science | History, Geography, Civics |
| Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) | Language Skills | English and regional language comprehension |
Eligibility and Qualifying Criteria for NMMS 2026
To be eligible for the NMMSS 2026, Class 8 students must have secured at least 55% marks in Class 7. A relaxation is provided for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students, who need a minimum of 50% marks in Class 7. The qualifying criteria for the scholarship require students to achieve an aggregate of at least 40% in both the MAT and SAT combined. For SC, ST, and Physically Handicapped (PH) categories, the aggregate qualifying score is 32%.
In most states, there is no negative marking in the NMMS exam, which means students are not penalised for incorrect answers. This policy aims to encourage students to attempt all questions without fear of losing marks. The basic structure of MAT and SAT remains consistent across states, though the specific question papers are prepared and conducted separately by each state or Union Territory, leading to potential variations in difficulty level and language.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Class 8 students with ≥55% in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST). |
| Sections | MAT (reasoning, puzzles), SAT (Science, Mathematics, Social Science). |
| Total Questions | 180 (90 per section). |
| Duration | 90 minutes per section (180 minutes total). |
| Marking | 1 mark per question, no negative marking. |
| Qualifying Criteria | ≥40% aggregate (32% for SC/ST/PH) in MAT and SAT combined. |
| Syllabus | Aligns with NCERT and state board Class 7 and 8 curricula, with state-specific variations. |
Accessing Previous Year Question Papers
Practicing with previous year question papers is a recommended strategy for students to familiarise themselves with the exam pattern, difficulty level, and types of questions asked. The NMMS Uttar Pradesh previous year question papers for 2024, 2025, and 2026 are available for free download. Also, the NMMS 2021 March 2022 Question Paper (English Medium) and the NMMS Uttar Pradesh 2023 Question Paper 1 are also accessible in PDF format.
Students can download NMMS MAT and SAT question papers from the official SCERT website of their state. To do so, they should navigate to the NMMS or “Previous Year Question Papers” section, select the desired year (e.g., 2025, 2024, 2023), and download the PDF. Answer keys are typically provided along with each paper to enable students to cross-check their responses. It is advisable to save these PDFs for offline practice and revision. Official portals for accessing these resources include sebexam.org, entdata.co.in, bse.ap.gov.in, bureauofpsychologyup.org, 2026.mscenmms.in, and rajshaladarpan.rajasthan.gov.in.
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