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IOM Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme 2025-26
IOM Exam Pattern 2025-26: The International Olympiad of Mathematics (iOM) is one of the most prestigious mathematics competitions for school students across India and abroad. Preparing well for the iOM requires a clear understanding of the exam pattern and marking scheme. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the iOM 2025-26 exam structure, question types, duration, sections, and scoring system to help students prepare efficiently.
Overview of iOM 2025-26 Exam
The iOM exam is conducted annually at the students' respective schools during regular school hours. It is designed to test mathematical aptitude, reasoning skills, and problem-solving abilities. The exam is available in English medium only and caters to students from Class 1 to Class 12 with a separate question paper for each class.
Schools can choose between two suggested dates to conduct the Olympiad. Each date has a unique question paper set, ensuring fairness and variety.
iOM 2025-26 Exam Dates
|
Event |
Date |
|
Last Date to Register |
30th August 2025 |
|
Olympiad Exam Date Option 1 |
19th November 2025 |
|
Olympiad Exam Date Option 2 |
16th December 2025 |
|
Result Declaration |
February/March 2026 |
Detailed iOM Exam Pattern 2025-26
Understanding the exam pattern is crucial for students to strategize their preparation and manage time effectively during the test.
IOM Class 1 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Number Sense |
Backwards and Forward Counting Ones and Tens |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Computation Operations |
Addition, Subtraction, Comparison |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Patterns |
Patterns |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Money, Time |
Money, Time |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Length, Weight and Comparison |
Measurement |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Geometrical Shapes |
Identification of Geometrical Figures |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Mental Aptitude |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
5 |
25 |
|
Total |
25 |
100 |
IOM Class 2 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Number Sense |
Ones, Tens and Hundreds |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Computation Operations |
Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Comparison |
6 |
3.5 |
21 |
|
Patterns |
Patterns |
1 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
|
Money, Time and Calendar |
Money, Time and Calendar |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Length, Weight and Capacity |
Measurement |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Geometrical Shapes |
Geometrical Figures |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Mental Aptitude |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
5 |
25 |
|
Total |
25 |
100 |
IOM Class 3 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Numbers and Their Operations |
Number Sense and Numeration, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Parts and Wholes |
Fractions |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Money, Time and Calendar |
Time and Calendar, Money |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Length, Weight and Capacity |
Measurement |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Geometry |
Geometrical Shapes |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Pictograph |
Data Handling |
3 |
6 |
18 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
IOM Class 4 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Numbers and Their Operations |
Number Sense and Numeration, Addition and Subtraction, Multiplication and Division |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
Parts and Wholes |
Fractions and Decimals |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Money and the Unitary Method |
Money, Unitary Method |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Geometry |
Geometry Shapes |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Area and Its Boundary |
Perimeter and Area |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Graphical Representation of Data |
Data Handling |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
IOM Class 5 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Numbers and Their Operations |
Number Sense and Numeration, Number in Operations, Factors and Multiples |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
Parts and Whole |
Fractions and Decimals |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Percentage, Ratio and Proportion |
Percentage, Ratio and Proportion/Time and Distance |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Geometry and Measurement |
Measurement, Geometry |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Graphical Representation of Data |
Data Handling |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
IOM Class 6 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Number System |
Numbers and Their Operations, Factors and Multiples |
5 |
2.5 |
12.5 |
|
Parts and Wholes |
Fractions and Decimals |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Algebra, Ratio and Proportion |
Algebra, Ratio and Proportion |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Geometry and Mensuration |
Mensuration, Geometry |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Graphical Representation of Data |
Data Handling |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Total |
35 |
100 |
IOM Class 7 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Numbers and Their Operations |
Integers, Simplifying Arithmetic Expressions, Fractions and Decimals, Rational Numbers, Exponents |
5 |
2.5 |
12.5 |
|
Algebra |
Algebraic Expressions, Simple Equations |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Ratio and Applications |
Ratio and Proportion, Percentage, Profit and Loss, Simple Interest |
4 |
2.5 |
10 |
|
Geometry and Mensuration |
Lines and Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Solid Shapes, Perimeter, Area of Closed Figures |
5 |
2.5 |
12.5 |
|
Data Handling |
Arithmetic Mean, Median, Mode, Bar Graphs |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
3 |
30 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Total |
35 |
100 |
IOM Class 8 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Numbers System |
Rational Numbers, Exponents, Square and Square Root, Cube and Cube root |
4 |
2.5 |
10 |
|
Algebra & Geometry |
Algebraic Expressions and Identities, Factorisation, Linear Equation in One Variable, Convex and Concave Polygons, Understanding Quadrilateral |
4 |
2.5 |
10 |
|
Comparing Quantities |
Direct and Inverse Proportions, Time and Work, Percentage, Discounts and Taxes, Compound Interest and Its Application |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Mensuration |
Surface Area and Volume of a Cube, Cuboid and Cylinder |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Data Handling |
Introduction to Graphs, Line Graphs, Pie Chart, Probability |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
3 |
30 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Total |
35 |
100 |
IOM Class 9 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Real Numbers |
Irrational Numbers, Real Numbers and Their Decimal Expansions, Operation on Real Numbers, Laws of Exponents for Real Numbers |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Algebra & Coordinate Geometry |
Polynomials in One Variable, Zeros of a Polynomial, Linear Equation in Two Variables, Solution of Linear Equations, Coordinate Geometry |
8 |
2.25 |
18 |
|
Geometry |
Lines and Angles, Triangles, Quadrilaterals, Circles, Herons’ Formula |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Statistics |
Bar Graphs, Histogram, Frequency Polygon |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Mensuration |
Surface area and volume of Right Circular Cones and Spheres |
5 |
2.25 |
11.25 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
3.75 |
18.75 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
IOM Class 10 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Number System & Sequence, and Series |
Rational and Irrational Numbers, Arithmetic Progression |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Algebra & Coordinate Geometry |
Polynomials, Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables, Quadratic Formula, Distance Formula, Section Formula |
5 |
2.25 |
11.25 |
|
Geometry |
Similar Figures, Similarity of Triangles, Circles, Tangent to a Circle |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Trigonometry |
Trigonometry, Height and Distance |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Statistics and Probability |
Mean, Mode and Median of Grouped Data, Probability of Event |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Mensuration |
Surface Area and Volume |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
3.75 |
18.75 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
IOM Class 11 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Set & Function |
Sets, Relations and Functions, Trigonometric Functions |
8 |
2.25 |
18 |
|
Algebra |
Complex Number, Sequence and Series, Permutation and Combination, Inequality, Quadratic Equation, Binomial Theorem |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Co-ordinate Geometry |
Straight Lines, Conic Sections |
6 |
2.25 |
13.5 |
|
Calculus |
Limits and Derivatives |
3 |
2.25 |
6.75 |
|
Statistics and Probability |
Measures of Dispersion: Range, Mean Deviation, Variance and Standard Deviation, Axiomatic Approach to Probability |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
3.75 |
18.75 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
IOM Class 12 Exam Pattern
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Relations and Functions |
Sets, Types of Relations, Types of Functions, Binary Operations, Inverse Trigonometric Functions |
5 |
2.25 |
11.25 |
|
Algebra |
Matrices and Determinants |
2 |
2.25 |
4.5 |
|
Vectors & 3D |
Vector Algebra and Three-Dimensional Geometry |
4 |
2.25 |
9 |
|
Calculus |
Applications of Derivatives, Integrals, Definite Integrals, Applications of Integrals, Differential Equation |
10 |
2.25 |
22.5 |
|
Linear Programming |
Linear Programming Problem |
1 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
|
Probability |
Independent Events, Conditional Probability, Multiplication Theorem on Probability, Baye’s Theorem |
3 |
2.25 |
6.75 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
3.75 |
18.75 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
1. Number of Questions and Duration
The number of questions and exam duration vary according to the student’s class:
|
Class Group |
Number of Questions |
Total Marks |
Exam Duration |
|
Class 1 & 2 |
25 |
100 |
40 Minutes |
|
Classes 3 to 5 |
30 |
100 |
50 Minutes |
|
Classes 6 to 8 |
35 |
100 |
50 Minutes |
|
Classes 9 to 12 |
40 |
100 |
50 Minutes |
2. Sections in the iOM Exam
The iOM question paper is divided into three distinct sections, each focusing on different skills:
|
Section Number |
Section Name |
Focus Area |
|
Section 1 |
Mathematics |
Core Math concepts and problems |
|
Section 2 |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Logical reasoning and aptitude questions |
|
Section 3 |
Scholar’s Zone |
Higher-order thinking and challenging problems |
3. Question Type and Medium
- All questions in iOM 2025-26 are objective type (multiple-choice questions).
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- The medium of the exam is English only.
iOM 2025-26 Section-wise Breakdown
Section 1: Mathematics
This section tests students’ understanding of their class-level math syllabus, including topics like Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, Mensuration, Statistics, and more. The difficulty level increases with each class, ranging from basic arithmetic in early classes to advanced calculus and coordinate geometry for higher classes.
Section 2: Reasoning and Aptitude
Reasoning and aptitude questions evaluate logical thinking, pattern recognition, and problem-solving skills. These questions help identify students’ abilities beyond pure mathematical knowledge.
Section 3: Scholar’s Zone
The Scholar’s Zone contains challenging questions aimed at testing creativity, analytical thinking, and the application of math concepts in novel ways. This section is designed to stretch students’ intellect and is often considered the most exciting part of the Olympiad.
iOM 2025-26 Marking Scheme
1. Marks Distribution
- The total marks for the exam are 100.
- Marks distribution per question varies according to the class and section.
- Each correct answer earns a certain number of marks.
- No negative marking means students are encouraged to attempt all questions without fear of losing marks.
iOM Exam Marking Scheme Table (Class-Wise)
|
Class Group |
Total Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Class 1 & 2 |
25 |
4 |
100 |
|
Classes 3 to 5 |
30 |
~3.33 |
100 |
|
Classes 6 to 8 |
35 |
~2.85 |
100 |
|
Classes 9 to 12 |
40 |
2.5 |
100 |
How to Use the Exam Pattern for Preparation?
- Time Management:
Knowing the duration and number of questions helps students practice solving problems within time limits. - Section-wise Strategy:
Allocating time and focus for Mathematics, Reasoning & Aptitude, and Scholar’s Zone separately improves efficiency. - Maximizing Attempts:
Since there is no negative marking, attempting all questions is beneficial. - Mock Tests:
Practicing with previous years’ question papers or mock tests with a similar pattern aids in building confidence.
Important Tips for iOM 2025-26 Exam
- Understand the syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly.
- Focus equally on all three sections.
- Practice objective-type questions to increase speed and accuracy.
- Develop logical reasoning skills by solving aptitude questions regularly.
- Take timed mock tests to improve exam temperament.
- Revise key concepts and formulas frequently.
Conclusion
Understanding the iOM 2025-26 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme is essential for effective preparation. The structure, number of questions, sections, and scoring criteria outlined above will help students plan their study schedule, boost confidence, and improve performance. Always remember to focus on both conceptual knowledge and application through practice to excel in the International Olympiad of Mathematics.
IOM 2025-26 Exam Pattern FAQs
Q1. What is the total duration of the iOM exam for different classes?
Answer: For Classes 1 & 2, the exam duration is 40 minutes. For Classes 3 to 12, the exam duration is 50 minutes.
Q2. How many questions are there in the iOM exam for Class 6 to 8 students?
Answer: Students in Classes 6 to 8 will have 35 questions in the exam.
Q3. Are the iOM question papers the same for all students?
Answer: No, there is a separate question paper for each class. Also, the two Olympiad dates have different sets of question papers.
Q4. Does iOM have any negative marking for wrong answers?
Answer: No, there is no negative marking in the iOM exam, so students can attempt all questions without penalty.
Q5. What are the main sections covered in the iOM exam?
Answer: The exam consists of three sections: Mathematics, Reasoning and Aptitude, and Scholar’s Zone.
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