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About this exam

Národní srovnávací zkoušky (NSZ) are a standardized admissions test suite run by the private education company Scio. Universities and faculties in the Czech Republic and Slovakia may use NSZ results in place of, or as a supplement to, their own entrance examinations. Candidates register independently of any university application and may sit the exam even before applying, and only the best result counts. Exams run seven times a year at many locations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and online. The suite is built around two test types: OSP (Study Prerequisites Test), a general reasoning and analytical-thinking test, and ZSV (Social Sciences Basics), which covers the social-science knowledge base. Preparation options include official instructor-led courses in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, or live online, which include workbooks with theory and practice items; an unlimited preparation package covering OSP and ZSV materials plus individual consultations; and printed publications with theory, worked solutions, and practice tests from previous years, scored by percentile so you can compare yourself with other candidates. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scio.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Scio NSZ English preparation

What exactly are the NSZ and who accepts them?

NSZ are comparative admissions tests produced by Scio. Participating universities and faculties in the Czech Republic and Slovakia use them instead of or alongside their own entrance exams. You register yourself, independently of any university application, so you can take the test before you even decide where to apply.

Which tests do I have to take?

The preparation offer centers on two test types: OSP, the Study Prerequisites Test, and ZSV, Social Sciences Basics. Which of them you need depends on the faculty you target. Check the requirements of each faculty before registering, because a single result can be submitted to several faculties.

How often can I sit the exam and does a bad attempt hurt me?

The exams take place seven times a year at many locations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and online. Only your best result counts, so a weak attempt does not damage your application. This makes it sensible to sit the test early and repeat it later if you want a higher score.

How should I plan my preparation time?

Start with the test structure and sample materials for your chosen test, then work through practice items under time pressure. Printed publications include theory, worked solutions, and practice tests from previous years with percentile scoring, so you can see how you compare with other candidates before the real exam.

What preparation options exist and what do they cost?

Scio lists instructor-led courses in Prague, Brno, Olomouc, or live online from 4,390 CZK, including workbooks with theory and hundreds of practice items. An unlimited preparation package with OSP and ZSV materials plus individual consultations starts at 10,670 CZK, and printed publications start at 750 CZK.

Can I take the NSZ online?

Yes. Exams are held at many locations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and also in an online form. Scio publishes a dedicated page describing how online exams work. If you choose the online option, verify the technical requirements and identity checks in advance rather than on the exam day.

What is the most common mistake candidates make?

Preparing only by reading theory and never practicing under time pressure. OSP in particular rewards fast, structured reasoning rather than memorized content. Work through timed practice sets, review every wrong answer, and use percentile feedback from practice tests to decide whether another attempt is worth it.

How do I register and what happens after the exam?

You choose a school and faculty, find out which tests are required, select a date and place, and register yourself. Results are then delivered to you, and you submit them to the faculties you are applying to. Registration is independent of your university application, so you can act well before application deadlines.

Is this page run by Scio?

No. This is independent study material written for candidates searching for information about the exam. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by Scio. Always confirm dates, prices, and faculty requirements on the official Scio website before you register or pay for anything.