AISSEE has different examination patterns for admission to Class 6 and Class 9. The official 2026 bulletin gives Class 6 candidates 125 questions worth 300 marks in 150 minutes. Class 9 has 150 questions worth 400 marks in 180 minutes. Both use multiple-choice questions answered on OMR sheets, with no negative marking.
These figures come from the AISSEE 2026 information bulletin linked on NTA's Sainik School examination page when checked on 2 November 2026. They describe that edition. Families searching for AISSEE 2027 should check the next edition's bulletin before treating the same pattern, eligibility dates or application arrangements as confirmed.
| Feature | Class 6 admission test | Class 9 admission test |
|---|---|---|
| Total questions | 125 | 150 |
| Total marks | 300 | 400 |
| Time | 150 minutes | 180 minutes |
| Mathematics | 50 questions, 150 marks | 50 questions, 200 marks |
| Negative marking | None | None |
AISSEE Class 6 exam pattern and subjects
The Class 6 test has four sections: Language, Mathematics, Intelligence and General Knowledge. Mathematics contains 50 questions carrying three marks each. Each of the other three sections has 25 questions carrying two marks each, giving 50 marks per section. The result is 125 questions with a maximum score of 300.
Mathematics therefore accounts for half the available marks even though it is fewer than half of all questions. A revision timetable based only on counting questions can miss that distinction. For a simple scoring illustration, ten correct Mathematics answers are worth 30 marks, while ten correct Language answers are worth 20.
The bulletin allows Class 6 candidates to select from 13 question-paper languages. English and Hindi candidates receive a bilingual booklet in English and Hindi. Candidates choosing another listed regional language receive that language together with English. The bulletin says the medium option must be chosen carefully and cannot be changed once exercised.
AISSEE Class 9 exam pattern and marking
The Class 9 paper has five sections. Mathematics has 50 questions worth four marks each, for 200 marks. Intelligence, English, General Science and Social Science each have 25 questions worth two marks each. Together those four sections contribute the other 200 marks.
This is a 400-mark test, so a raw Class 9 score should not be compared directly with a Class 6 score out of 300. The Class 9 medium is English only in the 2026 bulletin. Its additional half-hour also belongs to a longer paper with an extra subject section, rather than being extra time for the Class 6 question set.
The absence of negative marking applies to both classes. It means an incorrect answer does not deduct marks under this scheme. Candidates still need to follow the OMR instructions carefully: selecting an answer in a practice booklet and correctly recording that answer on the response sheet are separate tasks during a paper-based examination.
Where to find the official AISSEE syllabus
Start at the official AISSEE page linked from NTA. Open Information Bulletin in its navigation. The examination scheme is in Chapter 4, while the Class 6 syllabus topics are in Appendix II and the Class 9 topics are in Appendix III. Check the class label before building a topic checklist.
The listed subjects are a summary of the paper, rather than a substitute for those appendices. For instance, General Knowledge in the Class 6 scheme and General Science in the Class 9 scheme are different labels with their own published coverage. A family changing the target admission class should replace its checklist using the appropriate appendix.
Do qualifying marks guarantee a Sainik School seat?
No. The bulletin separates examination qualification from admission. For existing Sainik Schools, the general qualifying rule is at least 25 percent in each section and 40 percent overall, with the stated exemption from minimum marks for SC and ST candidates. For approved New Sainik Schools, the 25 percent sectional and 40 percent aggregate requirements apply irrespective of category.
Meeting those thresholds does not itself secure admission. The bulletin links admission to the relevant merit position and vacancies, subject to medical fitness. Families must also follow the applicable counselling and document-verification arrangements. The school type matters when reading the qualifying rule, so do not transfer an exemption from one route to another.
For other school and entrance-exam questions, see our NIOS admission route guide, CBSE attendance explainer and official NCERT book download guide. Each covers a separate requirement; AISSEE preparation should remain anchored to the examination's own class-specific syllabus.
