About IOQM
Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) is the first stage of the Mathematical Olympiad Programme in India. It will be held on the fourth Sunday of October (October 30, 2022). Only those students who qualify IOQM 2022 will be eligible to appear for the INMO 2022, the second stage of the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO).
IOQM Syllabus & Test Pattern
As per the notification from HBCSE, twenty-four questions on various topics will be given to be solved in three hours’ time in IOQM 2022. Basis a detailed year-wise analysis of PRMO, RMO, and IOQM papers, it has been suggested that the main units covered in the IOQM syllabus are:
- Algebra
- Combinatorics
- Geometry
- Number Theory
Topics include: arithmetic of integers, geometry, quadratic equations and expressions, trigonometry, co-ordinate geometry, the system of linear equations, permutations and combination, factorization of polynomials, inequalities, elementary Combinatorics, probability theory and number theory, finite series, complex numbers, and elementary graph theory, etc. The difficulty level increases from one stage to another.
Tips to ace IOQM
Bolster Mathematical Aptitude
Building strong mathematical aptitude is vital in order to score well in IOQM. This requires you to develop your analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills and improve your logical thinking ability. Furthermore, you must develop a deep understanding of all fundamentals to be able to visualise their complex applications during the exam.
Practice with Olympiad Books
Besides NCERT textbooks, you should read and practice from the below-mentioned books when preparing for IOQM. These contain advanced-level problems that test your Higher Order Thinking Skills and will certainly give you an edge in your preparation.
o The Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics and Mathematical Circles (Russian experience)
o Elementary Number Theory by David M Burton
o Mathematical Olympiad Challenges by Titu Andreescu and Răzvan Gelca
o Combinatorics by S. Muralidharan (AIMER)
o Lecture Notes on Mathematical Olympiad Courses: For Junior Section by Jiagu Xu
o Inequalities: A Mathematical Olympiad Approach by Jos ́e Antonio G ́omez Ortega, Radmila Bulajich Manfrino, and Rogelio Valdez Delgado
Solve Previous Years’ Papers
Solving previous years’ question familiarises you with the test pattern and what kinds of questions will be asked with varying difficulty level. This helps you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and work on them in a graded manner. In addition to this, solving papers in a time bound manner will improve your speed and accuracy. Refer to HBCSE website: olympiads.hbcse.tifr.res.in for previous years’ papers. Also, given below are links for the detailed solutions of previous years’ papers for your practice:
PRMO 2017
https://www.aakash.ac.in/answers-solutions/prmo/images/PRMO_Solutions.pdf
PRMO 2018
https://www.aakash.ac.in/answers-solutions/prmo-2018/
PRMO 2019
IOQM 2020
https://www.aakash.ac.in/answers-solutions/prmo/
IOQM 2021
https://www.aakash.ac.in/answers-solutions/ioq-indian-olympiad-qualifier
Work With Your Strengths:
To improve your maths aptitude skills, the target must not be to get all questions correct. For a successful attempt, practice on all types of problems to identify your strengths. Thereafter, while attempting mock tests, target questions that you are confident in rather than the questions that lead to wastage of time.
Build Accuracy:
To develop accuracy, you must cultivate an instinctive idea in order to visualise a problem after reading it. Clearing the basics is the first step to instil this habit. Practising within a limited time frame helps you perfect your method and accuracy. Continuous dedicated practice, with repeated analysis of mistakes is the key to build your accuracy.
Avoid Checking Solutions Before Attempting Questions:
When faced with a challenging question while doing practice, spending a lot of time on it can be discouraging. It might tempt you to check out the solution first so that you can move on to the next problem. This wrong practice can hamper your understanding. Rather, attempt similar examples so as to build a base for the correct method of solving the question.
The advantage of participating in any Olympiad or competitive exam is that it provides early exposure to learning and competition, a deeper foundational understanding of concepts and their applications, builds a solid foundation for JEE, NEET and other competitive exams, and gives an opportunity to win laurels for the country. More importantly, it teaches students an important lesson, that success is achievable with consistent preparation, hard work and dedication towards your goal.
To know more about the difficulty level of IOQM, topics covered, along with analysis of previous years’ papers, check out the following videos:
Frequently Asked Questions
There are some simple hacks that you need to follow to prepare for Mathematics Olympiad:
- Understabd the syllabus well
- Practice previous year question papers
- Attempt as many online test series
- Create a proper study schedule
- Stay Positive
- Conduct regular self-assessments
- Stay motivated
- Focus on your weak areas
3. How is IOQM conducted?
The IOQM will be a three-hour examination with 30 questions, and each question having an integer answer in the range 00-99.
4. Does IOQM 2022 have negative marking?
IOQM exam will be conducted in a total of 30 questions, where all the answers will be between 0-99. There will be no negative marking system.
5. What is the benefit of Olympiad exams in India?
Olympiad exams are extremely useful for all classes from class 1 to class 10. These exams help students from different schools and different boards on the same platform. It promotes learning in the same subjects that are taught in class. It also helps to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
