Navodaya Vidyalaya Entrance Exam (JNVST) Preparation
Prepare for the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test with timed practice in mental ability, arithmetic and language, plus a simple study plan for Class 5 students.
What is JNVST?
Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are residential schools run by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education. Admission to Class 6 is through the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST), written by students studying in Class 5 in the same district. Most seats are reserved for students from rural areas.
There is also a lateral entry test for Class 9, written by students in Class 8, to fill vacant seats.
JNVST Class 6 exam pattern
The pattern below follows recent NVS prospectuses. Mental ability carries half the marks, so daily reasoning practice is essential.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Ability Test | 40 | 50 | 60 minutes |
| Arithmetic Test | 20 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Language Test | 20 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 80 | 100 | 2 hours |
The test is offered in many languages, including Marathi and Hindi. Eligibility, dates and pattern can change; always confirm in the current prospectus on the NVS website.
What to focus on
Mental ability
- Odd one out and figure matching
- Pattern completion and figure series
- Analogies, mirror images and paper folding
- Embedded and punched-hole figures
Arithmetic
- Numbers, place value and the four operations
- Factors, multiples, LCM and HCF
- Fractions, decimals and percentages
- Measurement, time, money, distance
- Perimeter, area, angles and simple data
Language
- Reading comprehension passages
- Meaning of words and phrases from the passage
- Simple grammar in the chosen medium
A 10-week JNVST study plan
- Weeks 1–3: one arithmetic topic every two days, with a short test after each topic.
- Weeks 1–10: 20–30 minutes of mental ability questions every day; learn one figure pattern type at a time.
- Weeks 4–6: one reading comprehension passage a day.
- Weeks 7–9: two full timed mock tests a week, reviewing every mistake the next day.
- Week 10: revise weak topics and take a final mock test a few days before the exam.
Sample JNVST-style questions
What is 3/4 of 48?
Show answer
Answer: C. 36
48 ÷ 4 = 12, so one quarter is 12. Three quarters is 12 × 3 = 36.
Find the odd one out: 2, 3, 5, 9, 11
Show answer
Answer: C. 9
2, 3, 5 and 11 are prime numbers. 9 = 3 × 3, so it is not prime.
A shopkeeper packs 245 pencils into boxes of 7. How many boxes does she need?
Show answer
Answer: B. 35
245 ÷ 7 = 35, so 35 boxes hold all the pencils exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Who can write JNVST for Class 6?
Students studying in Class 5 in a government or recognised school in the district where they apply, within the age limit given in the prospectus for that year.
Can the test be written in Marathi?
Yes. JNVST Class 6 is offered in a large number of languages, including Marathi and Hindi. Check the current prospectus for the full list.
Does AISSEE practice help with JNVST?
Partly. Both test arithmetic and reasoning at the Class 5 level, but JNVST uses many figure-based mental ability questions, so practise those separately.
Adhar-AI EduTech is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti or the Ministry of Education.