The TCS National Qualifier Test (NQT) is the single biggest entry route into TCS for freshers — one registration puts you in the running for Ninja, Digital and Prime offers. This guide covers the complete 2026 syllabus, the exact exam pattern, section-wise preparation strategy, and the mistakes that eliminate most candidates.
TCS NQT exam pattern 2026
The test runs up to ~155 minutes in two parts: a 75-minute Foundation section that every candidate takes, and an optional Advanced section that qualifies you for Digital and Prime interviews. There is no negative marking, so attempt everything.
| Section | Questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical Ability (Foundation) | 20 | 25 min |
| Verbal Ability (Foundation) | 25 | 25 min |
| Reasoning Ability (Foundation) | 20 | 25 min |
| Advanced Quantitative & Reasoning | 15 | 25 min |
| Advanced Coding | 2 problems | 55 min |
Your score decides which interview you are invited to — Ninja (Foundation only), or Digital/Prime (strong Advanced performance). You don’t choose a track while applying.
TCS NQT syllabus — section by section
Numerical Ability
Number systems, HCF/LCM, percentages, profit & loss, simple & compound interest, ratio & proportion, averages, mixtures & allegations, time & work, time-speed-distance, mensuration (areas and volumes), permutations & combinations, elementary probability, and data interpretation from tables and charts. Speed matters more than depth — 20 questions in 25 minutes leaves ~75 seconds each.
Verbal Ability
Reading comprehension passages, sentence completion, error spotting, para-jumbles, synonyms/antonyms, prepositions and articles, and formal written English (email/letter tone). Verbal has the most questions (25) and is the easiest section to score fast — bank time here for tougher sections.
Reasoning Ability
Coding-decoding, series (number and letter), analogies, blood relations, directions, seating arrangements, syllogisms, data sufficiency, statement-conclusion, and visual/figure-based reasoning. Practise identifying the question type in the first five seconds — most reasoning questions are formulaic once classified.
Advanced Quantitative & Reasoning
Harder versions of the Foundation topics plus equations, inequalities, functions, logarithms, progressions and advanced puzzles. This section separates Digital/Prime candidates from Ninja — attempt it only after your Foundation basics are solid.
Advanced Coding
Two programming problems in 55 minutes, solvable in C, C++, Java or Python. Expect array/string manipulation, hashing, sorting-based logic, simple dynamic programming and mathematical simulation. Partial marks are awarded for partially passing test cases — always submit working code for the easy subcases even if the full solution eludes you.
Salary tracks: Ninja vs Digital vs Prime
Recent TCS fresher offers run from roughly ₹3.36 LPA (Ninja) up to ₹7 LPA (Prime), with Digital in between. The interview itself is the same three stages for all tracks — Technical, Managerial and HR — but Digital/Prime interviews go deeper into coding, projects and computer science fundamentals. Use our in-hand salary calculator to see what each CTC means per month after tax and PF.
30-day preparation plan
Week 1–2: Foundation topics — one numerical and one reasoning topic daily, plus 30 minutes of verbal. Week 3: full-length timed mocks on alternate days; review every wrong answer the same day. Week 4: Advanced section — daily coding problems and harder quant sets. Practise in exam-like conditions with our free timed aptitude tests that match the NQT pattern, and revise real TCS interview questions for the rounds after the test.
Mistakes that eliminate most candidates
Spending too long on one hard question instead of banking easy marks; skipping the essay/written-communication practice; ignoring the Advanced section entirely (it’s the only door to Digital/Prime); registering with mismatched academic details, which fails document verification later; and preparing only aptitude while neglecting the Technical interview — TCS asks genuine CS fundamentals from your syllabus and projects.
FAQs
Is there negative marking in TCS NQT?
No. Attempt every question — an unanswered question and a wrong answer score the same.
Can I take NQT if I have backlogs?
TCS typically requires no active backlogs at the time of joining; check the specific drive’s eligibility. One cleared backlog history is usually acceptable.
Which language should I code in?
Whichever you’re fastest in — C, C++, Java and Python are all accepted. Python is often quickest for string/array problems.
How do I know if I qualified for Digital or Prime?
TCS invites you based on your combined score — a strong Advanced section performance triggers Digital/Prime interview invites. You don’t apply to a specific track.
Where do I register?
On the official TCS iON / NQT portal. See our latest TCS NQT drive post for the current window, dates and direct registration link.
Ready to start? Take a timed NQT-pattern practice test now →