Just like the Olympics brings the best sportspersons from all over the world together, the Olympiads bring the brightest minds together. Olympiads provide a unique platform for students who want to showcase their academic excellence and problem-solving skills.
They test the knowledge and skills of the students in fields such as Maths, Science, and other subjects beyond their regular curriculum. Therefore, participating in these annual exams allows students to improve, learn and gain recognition. This post delves into the syllabus and eligibility criteria of different Science and Maths Olympiads and the benefits of participating in these prestigious competitions.
Science Olympiads
The Science Olympiads, such as the National Science Olympiad (NSO), International Olympiad of Science (iOS), and National Level Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE), aim to cultivate scientific reasoning and logical ability among the students. It gives you a chance to compete globally and recognises your potential.
NSO
NSO stands for National Science Olympiad and is conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF World) . It is held in several countries, and lakhs of students appear for this exam yearly. Mentioned below are the important dates for the academic year 2023- 2024.
Exam 1 Date | 17 October 2023 |
Exam 2 Date | 21 November 2023 |
Exam 3 Date | 05 December 2023 |
Eligibility Criteria
All Class 1 to 12 students can apply for the NSO through their respective schools.
Level 1: This level is open to all school students. Anyone from Class 1 to 12 can write the exam, and there are no criteria for minimum marks.
Level 2: This level is open only to the students of Class 3 to Class 12. Only the shortlisted students can appear for level 2. The following students will be shortlisted:
- Top 5% of the students from each class
- Top 25 zone-wise rank holders
Exam Pattern
- The exam will be conducted during school hours in the respective schools.
- For Class 1 to Class 4, the exam has 35 multiple-choice questions. But for Class 5 to Class 12, there are 50 multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is 60 minutes.
- Class 1 to 10 has Logical Reasoning, Science, and Achievers sections, while Class 11 and 12 have Physics/Chemistry, Achievers Section, and Mathematics/Biology sections. The exam duration is 60 minutes.
- The exam is based on the CBSE, ICSE/ISC, and State Board syllabi for respective classes.
How to Apply
Students should register through their respective schools. Individual registrations by students are not accepted.
The process is explained in detail below.
- All schools registered with the SOF will receive a prospectus with registration forms.
- Students can take the registration forms from their respective schools.
- Fill out the forms and submit them to the school authorities.
- The schools must return the duly filled forms before the due date to SOF.
- Schools not registered may also request for prospectus by sending an e-mail at info@sofworld.org / phone call.
iOS
It stands for International Olympiad of Science and is conducted by the Silverzone Foundation. It tests students’ knowledge, problem-solving skills, and practical application in Science. iOS is conducted internationally and gives students greater exposure and a chance to represent their country.
iOS Exam Dates for 2023 – 2024 |
November 21, 2023 |
December 15, 2023 |
Eligibility Criteria
All Class 1 to 12 students can apply for the iOS through their respective schools.
Level 1: This level is open to all school students. Anyone from Class 1 to 12 can write the exam, and there are no criteria for minimum marks.
Level 2: This level is open only to the students of Class 3 to Class 12. Only the shortlisted students can appear for level 2. The following students will be shortlisted.
- The top 1000 Olympiad rank holders with 50% and above minimum marks.
- The top rank holders with minimum 75% marks and full participation in the respective subject from the school.
Level 3: Only the 1st rank holders of Level 2 from Class 6 to 12 will be eligible for Level 3, which will be conducted in New Delhi, India.
Exam Pattern
- The exam will be conducted in the respective schools of the participants during school hours.
- Examination Specifications:
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Total Marks: 100 (with NO negative marking)
- Medium of examination: English
- Only objective-type questions are asked in the examination. The following table highlights the class-wise number of questions asked in the examination.
Classes | Number of Questions |
1 and 2 | 25 |
3 to 5 | 30 |
6 to 8 | 35 |
9 to 12 | 40 |
- The question paper has three sections: Science, Reasoning and Aptitude, and Scholar’s Zone.
How to Apply
Students can apply for the International Olympiad of Science through their respective schools.
- All schools registered with the Silver Zone Foundation will receive a prospectus containing the registration forms.
- Students can take the registration forms from their respective schools.
- Fill out the forms and submit them to the school authorities.
- The schools must return the duly filled forms before the due date of Silver Zone Foundation.
- Sometimes the prospectus may not contain updated information, so schools and students need to check the official website for the latest information regarding changes in syllabus, prizes, and levels, etc.
NSTSE
The Unified Council conducts the National Science Talent Search Exam. The diagnostic test assesses students’ grasp of science concepts and ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-life situations. The exam tests the students on a wide range of topics. Thus, the participants get a platform to showcase their scientific aptitude.
Offline Exam dates
(for Registrations through Schools) |
01-12-2023 (Friday) &
15-12-2023 (Friday) |
Online Exam Date
(for Direct Registrations) |
28-01-2024 (Sunday) |
Eligibility Criteria
- All Students from Class 2 to Class 12 can participate in the examination.
- Class 11 and 12 students can opt for Physics, Chemistry, and Maths or Physics, Chemistry, and Biology exams.
- There is no exam for the Class 11 and 12 PCMB groups.
- NSTSE follows the CBSE syllabus.
- Students of ICSE/ISC and other State Board or Matriculation Syllabi also find the question paper suitable.
Exam Pattern
- Each class has a different question paper.
- All questions are objective-type, with no negative marking for wrong answers.
- The duration of the examination for all classes is 60 minutes.
- Class 2 has a total of 50 questions from Mathematics and General Science.
- Class 3 to 12 has 60 questions from Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Critical Thinking.
- The critical Thinking section has questions with a combination of skills like application in real life, Logical Reasoning, Strategies in decision-making, etc.
How to Apply
The NSTSE accepts individual registrations as well as through the respective schools. The steps for each are mentioned below:
Individual Registration:
- Students can directly register for NSTSE by visiting the official website: http://www.unifiedcouncil.com.
- They must fill in the details and pay online through Net Banking, Debit, or Credit Card.
Registration through School:
- Let the school authorities know that you wish to appear for NSTSE.
- Schools must send a single consolidated Demand Draft for the exam fee of all the students who wish to appear for the NSTSE.
- Schools can even contact the organization for further details through the email mentioned on the site.
Maths Olympiads
Math Olympiads allow aspiring mathematicians to explore their potential and push their limits. It improves critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and appreciation of the subject. The different stages of the Mathematics Olympiad that you need to clear are:
In addition to this, the two of the most prestigious Math Olympiads are mentioned below:
IMO
The International Mathematics Olympiad is one of the most prestigious Maths competitions in the world. It is conducted nationally and internationally by the Science Olympiad Foundation. The exam requires good mathematical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and rigorous preparation.
Date 1 | Tuesday- 31st Oct 2023 |
Date 2 | Thursday- 30th Nov 2023 |
Date 3 | Thursday- 14th Dec 2023 |
Eligibility Criteria
The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad is conducted at two levels:
Level 1: The first level is conducted in the respective schools of the participants during school hours. All the students of Classes 1 to 12 are eligible to write this SOF IMO exam.
Level 2: Only Class 3 to Class 12 students are eligible for Level 2. The following students can qualify:
- The top 5% of the students from each class.
- The top 25 zone-wise rank holders
Exam Pattern
- Level 1 consists of 35 objective-type questions for Classes 1 to 4.
- Students of classes 5 to 12 need to attempt 50 objective-type questions.
- The duration of the exam is 60 minutes.
- The question paper consists of four sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics, and Achievers.
- Each exam date will have separate question papers.
- The medium of the test is English.
- SOF IMO follows the CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Board syllabi.
How to Apply
Students should register through their respective schools. Individual registrations by students are not accepted.
. The process is explained in detail below.
- All schools registered with the SOF will receive a prospectus with registration forms.
- Students can take the registration forms from their respective schools.
- Fill out the forms and submit them to the school authorities.
- The schools must return the duly filled forms before the due date to SOF.
- Schools not registered may also request for prospectus by sending an e-mail at info@sofworld.org / phone call.
The International Olympiad of Mathematics is conducted annually by the Silverzone Foundation for Classes 1 to 12. It aims to teach an interest in young minds for the subject. The iOM follows a format similar to the IMO but focuses on more age-appropriate problems and is conducted at various levels.
Date 1 | Thursday, 23-11-2023 |
Date 2 | Wednesday, 20-12-2023 |
Eligibility Criteria
All Class 1 to 12 students can apply for the iOM through their respective schools.
Level 1: This level is open to all school students. Anyone from Class 1 to 12 can write the exam, and there are no criteria for minimum marks.
Level 2: This level is open only to the students of Class 3 to Class 12. Only the shortlisted students can appear for level 2. The following students will be shortlisted.
- The top 1000 Olympiad rank holders with 50% and above minimum marks.
- The top rank holders with minimum 75% marks and full participation in the respective subject from the school.
Level 3: Only the 1st rank holders of Level 2 from Class 6 to 12 will be eligible for Level 3, which will be conducted in New Delhi, India.
Exam Pattern
- The exam will be conducted in the respective schools of the participants during school hours.
- Only objective-type questions are asked in the examination. The following table highlights the class-wise number of questions asked in the examination.
Classes | Number of Questions |
1 and 2 | 25 |
3 to 5 | 30 |
6 to 8 | 35 |
9 to 12 | 40 |
- The question paper has three sections: Science, Reasoning and Aptitude, and Scholar’s Zone.
- The exam lasts forty minutes, and the total mark is 100. Medium is English, and there is no negative marking.
How to Apply
Students can apply for the International Olympiad of Mathematics through their respective schools.
- All schools registered with the Silver Zone Foundation will receive a prospectus containing the registration forms.
- Students can take the registration forms from their respective schools.
- Fill out the forms and submit them to the school authorities.
- The schools must return the duly filled forms before the due date of Silver Zone Foundation.
- Check out the official website for the latest information regarding changes in syllabus, prizes and levels, etc.
Benefits of Participating in Olympiads
Now that you know about the different Maths and Science Olympiads and their exam pattern, eligibility criteria and application process, let us look at the advantages of participating in these exams.
- Students are asked questions that require critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and creative problem-solving skills. Therefore, in the preparation process, you can develop a strong foundation and enhance your skills, which will be beneficial in school and later in life.
- Since these exams test students beyond their regular curriculum, you get exposure to new ideas, theories, and applications. It broadens your knowledge and understanding of your favourite subjects.
- Students get to compete with other brilliant students from different states and countries. It sparks a healthy competitive spirit and introduces you to new cultures and friends.
- You get to learn how to be resilient and perform under pressure which ultimately gives you an advantage during your future academic pursuits.
- Participating in Olympiad competitions can become a rewarding experience. It can improve students’ confidence and self-esteem.
- It can also help develop teamwork and collaboration skills, which can be useful in any profession.
- Participating and achieving success in the Olympiads brings recognition and pride to students and their schools and countries. Apart from that, you can win medals and awards that can further help you in making your future dreams come true.
Step-by-Step Approach for 2023-24 Olympiads
Olympiads can become easy and fun if you stay disciplined, work hard, and follow a systematic approach. Make full use of the tips and suggestions mentioned below.
- Understand the syllabus and the format of the exam. Familiarise yourself with topics and subtopics of previous years too.
- Create a detailed timetable and study plan to prepare for the Olympiads. Allocate time for each subject and topic. Make sure you cover the entire syllabus.
- Pay attention to any specific concepts and areas you notice that have been emphasized in the competition.
- Set achievable goals, and do not get distracted or demotivated. Track your progress regularly.
- A study from multiple resources such as study materials, reference books, previous years’ question papers, and online materials.
- Take as many mock tests as possible and notice your weaknesses and strengths. Understand the level of difficulty and pattern of questions.
- Regular practice can lead you to success. However, make sure to take a fifteen-minute break after every two hours of study.
- Eat healthy, sleep well, and stretch your body to stay mentally and physically active. Stay away from distractions such as games, the internet, and phones.
- When encountering a difficult question, seek guidance from teachers, mentors, or subject experts. Join online coaching classes or platforms to study from the best teachers from the comfort of your home.
- Highlight all important concepts, formulae, and points, analyze and learn from mistakes and practice quick revision techniques.
- Stay updated with the latest developments, dates, and announcements regarding the exam. You can visit the official websites and stay informed.
Conclusion
Remember, success in the Olympiads comes from regular practice, hard work, and dedication. However, students must remember to enjoy the learning process and the journey. They should aim for personal growth and not just winning the competition. Choose from NSO, iOS, IMO, iOM, and NSTSE, the Olympiad that suits your abilities and aim for excellence. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
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