As placement season approaches, thousands of students across India are preparing to face one of the biggest milestones in their college life — TCS NQT 2025.

If you’re confused about the pattern, worried about what’s changed this year, or just need a clear strategy, you’re in the right place. This blog is not just a guide — it’s your roadmap to understanding the TCS NQT exam pattern, section-wise breakdown, and how to prepare smartly. 

What’s New in TCS NQT 2025?

TCS has revamped its placement pattern for 2025. Whether you’re aiming for the NinjaDigital, or Prime profiles, it’s crucial to know that the exam is now conducted on the TCS iON platform with proctoring enabled. That means strict monitoring, no room for error, and absolutely no unfair means. You should also check the registration process page as it has new sections as well.

TCS NQT 2025: Overall Exam Pattern

Before we dive deep into each round, let’s first understand the big picture:

TCS NQT SectionTotal TimeTotal Questions
Part A: Foundation Section (Mandatory for Ninja aspirants)  
Numerical Ability25 minutes20
Verbal Ability25 minutes25
Reasoning Ability25 minutes20
Part B: Advanced Section (Mandatory for Digital and Prime aspirants)  
Advanced Quantitative Ability25 minutes (shared)15 (shared)
Advanced Reasoning Ability25 minutes (shared)15 (shared)
Advanced Coding90 minutes3
Total Duration190 minutes83 Questions

TCS NQT 2025: Test Rounds Overview

The TCS NQT exam is divided into two main rounds:

Round 1: Foundation Section (For Ninja Role)

This is the mandatory round for all candidates. It assesses basic aptitude and is primarily used for selecting candidates for the Ninja profile.

  • Total Time: 75 minutes
  • Total Questions: 65
  • Sections:
    • Numerical Ability – 20 questions
    • Verbal Ability – 25 questions
    • Reasoning Ability – 20 questions
  • Difficulty Level: Moderate

This round tests your fundamental logical and communication skills — the building blocks of any job role.

Round 2: Advanced Section (For Digital and Prime Roles)

This round is only available to candidates who qualify the Foundation round and is essential for selection into high-paying roles such as Digital and Prime.

  • Advanced Quantitative + Reasoning:
    • Shared Time: 50 minutes
    • Shared Questions: 15 in each section (total 30)
  • Advanced Coding:
    • Questions: 3
    • Time: 90 minutes
  • Difficulty Level: High

This round focuses on deep problem-solving, optimization, and high-level logical thinking. You’ll need to showcase not just knowledge, but your ability to apply it smartly under pressure.

Important Exam Guidelines for TCS NQT 2025

Understanding the rules is as important as preparing for the test. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

  • No negative marking
  • No switching between sections or rounds
  • You can revisit attempted questions within a section
  • Exam is monitored both by AI and live proctors
  • No external rough paper allowed — an onscreen notepad and calculator will be provided
  • Multiple tab switches or looking away from the screen can lead to disqualification

Final Words: Your Effort Today Shapes Your Future Tomorrow

Whether you’re from a core tech background or a non-CS branch, remember this: you are not behind. All you need is clarity, consistency, and courage.

Thousands of students will attempt this test, but only those who prepare smartly and stay confident will stand out. So take a deep breath, build a strategy, and trust your process.

You’ve got this.