NSEB Topper Om Tejas Sinha’s Olympiad Journey and Preparation Strategy with PW

Om Tejas Sinha's Biology Olympiad journey began in Class 4 with school-level Science competitions and gradually progressed to NSEB and advanced Olympiad stages. What started as an interest in Science eventually led him toward more specialised preparation involving unfamiliar problems, scientific reasoning and targeted practice. 

 His experience highlights the importance of choosing the right resources, developing scientific reasoning, practising unfamiliar questions, and seeking specialised guidance to gradually move from fundamental concepts toward advanced Olympiad preparation. 

Om Tejas Sinha’s Olympiad Journey Began in Class 4

Om Tejas said his Olympiad journey started when he was around Class 4. His school conducted SilverZone Olympiads, and he participated in both Science and Mathematics because he already enjoyed science.

“My Olympiad journey began when I was around Class 4.”

He received Silver and Gold Medals, and the experience helped him realise that science extended beyond school textbooks.

“I developed a feeling from there that science is not limited to the book. It goes a little beyond.”

After changing schools and the disruption caused by COVID-19, he participated in the SOF NSO Olympiads in Classes 9 and 10. He won Gold Medals in both and represented his school at the second level. He also secured ranks under 100 on both occasions.

By the end of Class 10, he discovered the government Olympiad pathway and appeared for NSEB in Class 11, eventually qualifying for the next stage.

Om Tejas Sinha’s Recommended Resources for Young Students 

Om Tejas believes preparation should depend on a student's academic level. For younger students in primary school, he recommends beginning with the reference books used by their schools.

“If you are very junior, around primary school, up to around Class 5, I would recommend that you follow the reference book your school uses.”

He mentioned Lakhmir Singh and Ratna Sagar as examples. At this stage, students should focus on building curiosity and strengthening basic Science and Mathematics concepts rather than immediately moving toward advanced material.

For students in secondary school, he recommends following institute material along with standard books.

“If you have come into secondary school, up to Class 10, then you can give NSEJS. If you are giving NSEJS, follow your institute material.”

For Biology, advanced resources such as Campbell can be useful for students who want to study beyond the basics. However, Om Tejas also explained that strong teacher notes can cover many requirements without forcing students to read every advanced book.

How Om Tejas Sinha’s Preparation Changed in Classes 11 and 12 

For students entering senior secondary classes and specifically targeting NSEB, Om Tejas recommends specialised preparation.

“Now, if you have come late into senior secondary, in Classes 11 and 12, then for NSEB, the best thing for you is to join an institute.”

By Classes 11 and 12, Om Tejas's focus shifted toward NSEB-specific preparation, making specialised guidance and institute material more relevant to his preparation. 

How Om Tejas Approaches INBO Preparation

According to Om Tejas, the difficulty increases significantly at the INBO stage. Questions may provide new theory within the question itself, requiring students to understand and apply information quickly.

“You have to read the theory while sitting there, understand the concept within two hours, and immediately apply it.”

Because of this, simply memorising a large amount of information is not sufficient.

“You will have to develop intelligence. You will have to develop quick learning.”

Students need to practise unfamiliar problems and improve their reasoning abilities so that they can understand new information and apply it under time pressure.

How PW Supported Om Tejas’ Olympiad Preparation

Om Tejas discussed his experience with Physics Wallah (PW) during his Biology Olympiad preparation. Before the Pre-Departure Camp, he studied online through Zoom with Rajesh Sir and was part of the Advanced Biology batch.

“I was studying with you online through Zoom and I was in the Advanced Biology batch.”

He highlighted the personalised support he received through this interaction.

“I got very personal support because you know how much advantage one-on-one has when the head faculty of your coaching is teaching you personally.”

He also discussed the support available during the camp, including specialised Biology faculty, tests, analysis, and targeted practice.

“The tests here will also help you. You will start understanding that you are having difficulty in a question or difficulty in analysis.”

This combination of online preparation, personal interaction, testing, and camp-based learning helped him work specifically on the skills required at advanced Olympiad stages.

How Om Tejas Sinha Approached INBO and OCSC-Level Challenges 

Om Tejas explained that OCSC is different from INBO because it focuses more heavily on scientific skills and subjective thinking.

“OCSC literally checks your scientific skills.”

According to him, the stage is not simply about how many books a student has completed. It tests whether students can think scientifically and work with unfamiliar problems.

“The question is whether you can dig out something new. Can you discover something new?”

Students therefore need additional practice in subjective questions and practical examinations. Om Tejas also highlighted the importance of practical performance at this stage.

Om Tejas’ Message for Aspiring Olympiad Students

Om Tejas encouraged younger students who want to participate in NSEJS, NSEB, and international competitions.

“All the best to my juniors who want to give NSEJS, NSEA, NSEB and international competitions.”

Om Tejas Sinha’s Olympiad journey shows how an early interest in Science can gradually develop into advanced competitive preparation. Starting with school-level Olympiads, he learned to move beyond textbooks, work with unfamiliar questions and develop scientific reasoning. His experience also highlights the value of targeted practice, feedback and specialised guidance as students progress to higher Olympiad stages.