ASCAT Scholarship Test: How to Prepare

ASCAT, the Alpha Scholarship-cum-Admission Test, does two jobs at once. It helps us place each student in the batch that suits them, and it rewards strong preparation with a scholarship on tuition.

Because the test is based on what you are studying now, preparing for it is also good revision for your current school exams. Here is how to approach it.

Confirm the details. The pattern below is as currently announced for ASCAT 2027. Test dates, the registration fee and the scholarship slabs are confirmed on the ASCAT page. Always check there before you plan.

The test at a glance

Every student also gets a scorecard showing strengths and areas to work on, which is useful whether or not they join.

Section pattern by target class

The sections depend on the class and stream you are moving into.

Two things that shape your strategy

1. No negative marking: attempt every question

With no penalty for a wrong answer, a blank answer can only score zero. Even an educated guess has a chance.

• Answer every question before time runs out.
• If you can rule out one or two options, your guess becomes much better.
• Never leave the last few questions blank because you ran short of time.

2. About 90 seconds per question

Ninety minutes for 60 questions is 1.5 minutes per question on average.

• Some questions will take 30 seconds; give the time you save to harder ones.
• If a question takes more than about 2 minutes, mark a guess, flag it and move on.
• Keep the last 10 minutes to return to flagged questions.

A 3–4 week plan

Aim for 45–60 minutes a day, alongside schoolwork. Use your NCERT textbooks and school notes as the main source; the test is built on your current syllabus.

Moving into Class 9 or 10

Moving into Class 11 or 12 Physics

Physics carries 30 of the 60 questions here, so give it the most time. Concept clarity matters more than memorised formulas.

How to practise mental ability

Mental ability questions reward familiarity. Ten to fifteen questions a day for three weeks makes a visible difference.

• Number and letter series: look for differences, then differences of differences.
• Analogies: say the relationship in words before choosing an option.
• Coding–decoding: write the code pattern down rather than holding it in your head.
• Directions and arrangements: always draw a quick diagram.

The week before the test

• Take one full timed practice paper, then review it carefully.
• Revise your one-page chapter notes, not whole textbooks.
• Sleep well for the last three nights.
• Check the reporting time and what to bring on your admit card.

On test day

• Reach early, with your admit card, pens and pencils.
• Spend the first minute looking over the whole paper.
• Start with the section you're strongest in.
• Mark answers carefully; check that question numbers match.
• In the last 10 minutes, return to flagged questions and fill in every blank.

After the test

You will receive your score and scorecard within a few days. Read the scorecard with your parents, even if you don't plan to join. It shows which areas need work before your next school exams.

Learn more

The confirmed dates, fee, scholarship slabs and registration are on the ASCAT page, and the full joining process is on our admissions page. If you are moving into a new class, you can also look at the programmes ASCAT places students into: the Foundation Programme for Class 9–10, and Class 11 Physics.

Next step: once your target class is clear, compare the programmes for Class 9 and 10, and Class 11–12 Physics.