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1800-102-2727IOS 2025 - 26 Exam Pattern: The International Olympiad of Science (iOS) 2025 - 26 is a renowned examination held annually to assess students' scientific knowledge, reasoning skills, and aptitude. Conducted for students from Class 1 to Class 12, the exam follows a clear pattern and marking scheme tailored to each class group.
This article provides an in-depth look at the iOS 2025 - 26 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme with the latest official details, helping students and teachers prepare effectively.
The exam pattern for iOS 2025 - 26 is divided into four class groups with varying numbers of questions and duration:
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Living & Non-Living |
Living & Non-Living Things |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Plants and Animals |
Plants; Animals |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Food and Clothes |
Food we eat; Clothes we wear |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Our Environment |
Air; Water & its Resources |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Our Surroundings |
Family, Neighbourhood, Safety Rules |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Human Body |
Human Body |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
5.5 |
27.5 |
|
Total |
25 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Living & Non-Living |
Living & Non-Living Things |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Plants and Animals |
Plants; Animals |
4 |
3.5 |
14 |
|
Food and Clothes |
Food we eat; Clothes we wear |
3 |
3.5 |
10.5 |
|
Our Environment |
Air; Water & its Resources |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Our Surroundings |
Family, Neighbourhood, Safety Rules |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Human Body |
Human Body |
2 |
3.5 |
7 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
5.5 |
27.5 |
|
Total |
25 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Living & Non-Living Things |
Living & Non-Living Things |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Plants and Animals |
Plant Kingdom |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Matter, Motion, Transport |
Matter and Motion |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Transport |
||||
|
Environment & Universe |
Our Environment, Air, Water, Weather, Universe |
5 |
3 |
15 |
|
Human Body |
Our Body |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks per Question |
Total Marks |
|
Human Body |
Functioning of the Human Body |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Rocks and Soil |
Rocks |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Minerals and Soil |
||||
|
Environment & Universe |
Our Environment, Universe |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Plants and Animals |
Plant Kingdom, Animal Kingdom |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Work, Force & Energy |
Work, Force, and Energy |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Matter |
Matter |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
5 |
3.5 |
17.5 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.5 |
22.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Matter |
Matter |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Environment and Natural Calamities |
Our Environment, Natural Calamities |
4 |
3 |
12 |
|
Housing |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Plants and Animals |
Plants, Animals |
6 |
3 |
18 |
|
Light and Sound |
Light and Sound |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
Our Body and Nutrition |
Our Body and Nutrition |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
Work and Energy |
Work, Force, Energy, and Simple Machines |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
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 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Food |
Components of Food |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
Materials |
Sorting Materials into Groups |
4 |
2.5 |
10 |
|
Living World |
Body Movements, Getting to Know Plants, Characteristics |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Motion and Measurement |
Motion and Measurement of Distances |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
How Things Work |
Electricity and Circuits |
7 |
2.5 |
17.5 |
|
Air |
Air Around Us |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
Reasoning and Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.3 |
21.5 |
|
Total |
30 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
How Stuff Works |
Light, Electric Current and its Effects |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Living World |
Respiration, Transport, Reproduction in Plants |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Materials |
Heat, Acids & Bases, Physical and Chemical Changes |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Natural Resources |
Wastewater Story, Forest |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
Food |
Nutrition in Plants and Animals |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Reasoning and Apt. |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.3 |
21.5 |
|
Total |
35 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Food |
Crop Production, Microorganism |
4 |
2.5 |
10 |
|
How Stuff Works |
Force, Friction, Light, Sound, Chemical Effects |
8 |
2.5 |
20 |
|
Living World |
Reproduction, Adolescence, Conservation |
6 |
2.5 |
15 |
|
Materials |
Coal, Petroleum, Combustion |
3 |
2.5 |
7.5 |
|
Natural Phenomena |
Some Natural Phenomena |
2 |
2.5 |
5 |
|
Reasoning and Apt. |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
7 |
3 |
21 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4.3 |
21.5 |
|
Total |
35 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Matter |
Matter in Our Surroundings |
3 |
2 |
6 |
|
Is Matter Around Us Pure |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Atoms & Molecules |
Atoms and Molecules |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
Structure of Atom |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Living World |
Cell, Tissues |
5 |
2 |
10 |
|
Food |
Improvement in Food Resources |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Force & Motion |
Motion, Force and Laws of Motion |
6 |
2 |
12 |
|
Work & Energy |
Work and Energy |
4 |
2 |
8 |
|
Sound |
Sound |
- |
- |
- |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
3 |
30 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
|
Unit |
Chapter |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Chemical Elements & Properties |
Chemical Reactions and Equations |
8 |
2 |
16 |
|
Acids, Bases and Salts, Metals & Non-Metals, Carbon & Its Compound |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Life Processes |
Life Processes |
6 |
2 |
12 |
|
Control & Coordination, Reproduction |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Heredity and Evolution |
Heredity |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Light and Electricity |
Reflection, Refraction, Human Eye, Electricity, Magnetic Effect |
8 |
2 |
16 |
|
Environment |
Environment |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
3 |
30 |
|
Scholar’s Zone |
Scholar’s Zone |
5 |
4 |
20 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
|
Subject |
Chapters Covered |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Physics |
Units, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Gravitation, Thermo, Waves |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Chemistry |
Basic Concepts, Atom, Periodicity, Bonding, Thermo, Equilibrium, Organic, Hydrocarbons |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Biology |
Diversity, Structural Organisation in Plants & Animals |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
|
Subject |
Chapters Covered |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Physics |
Unit & Measurement, Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Work, Power, Gravitation, Thermo, Oscillations, Waves |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Chemistry |
Basic Concepts, Atom, Periodicity, Bonding, Equilibrium, Redox, Organic Chemistry, Hydrocarbons |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Mathematics |
Sets & Functions, Algebra, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Statistics, Probability |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
|
Subject |
Chapters Covered |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Physics |
Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, EMI, EM Waves, Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms, Devices |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Chemistry |
Solutions, Electrochemistry, Kinetics, d & f Block, Coordination, Organic (Halogens, O, N), Biomolecules |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Biology |
Reproduction, Genetics, Human Welfare, Biotechnology, Ecology |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
|
Subject |
Chapters Covered |
No. of Questions |
Marks/Question |
Total Marks |
|
Physics |
Electrostatics, Current Electricity, Magnetism, EMI, EM Waves, Optics, Dual Nature, Atoms, Devices |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Chemistry |
Solutions, Electrochemistry, Kinetics, d & f Block, Coordination, Organic (Halogens, O, N), Biomolecules |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Mathematics |
Relations, Algebra, Calculus, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Linear Programming, Probability |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Reasoning & Aptitude |
Reasoning and Aptitude |
10 |
2.5 |
25 |
|
Total |
40 |
100 |
The iOS exam for all classes consists of three main sections, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of knowledge and skills:
|
Class Group |
No. of Questions |
Duration |
Sections Included |
Medium |
Negative Marking |
|
1 - 2 |
25 |
40 minutes |
Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
English |
No |
|
3 - 5 |
30 |
40 minutes |
Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
English |
No |
|
6 - 8 |
35 |
40 minutes |
Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
English |
No |
|
9 - 12 |
40 |
50 minutes |
Science, Reasoning & Aptitude, Scholar’s Zone |
English |
No |
The iOS exam follows a simple and fair marking scheme:
This encourages students to attempt all questions, promoting confidence and a positive exam experience.
The Olympiad for iOS 2025 - 26 is organized on two tentative dates:
|
Event |
Tentative Dates |
|
First Date of iOS Olympiad |
18th November 2025 (Tuesday) |
|
Second Date of iOS Olympiad |
10th December 2025 (Wednesday) |
Schools may choose any one of the two dates based on their convenience.
|
Class Group |
Questions |
Duration |
Total Marks |
Sections |
Negative Marking |
|
Classes 1 - 2 |
25 |
40 mins |
100 |
Science, Reasoning, Scholar’s Zone |
No |
|
Classes 3 - 5 |
30 |
40 mins |
100 |
Science, Reasoning, Scholar’s Zone |
No |
|
Classes 6 - 8 |
35 |
40 mins |
100 |
Science, Reasoning, Scholar’s Zone |
No |
|
Classes 9 - 12 |
40 |
50 mins |
100 |
Science, Reasoning, Scholar’s Zone |
No |
The iOS 2025 - 26 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme is thoughtfully designed to assess students’ knowledge and aptitude in a fair and standardized way. With clear instructions, no negative marking, and a balanced mix of science and reasoning questions, the exam offers every student an equal opportunity to showcase their skills.
Knowing the detailed exam pattern helps students and educators plan a focused study strategy. By understanding the exam duration, question count, sections, and marking scheme, students can prepare more effectively for success in the iOS Olympiad.
Q1. What is the total number of questions and maximum marks in the IOS 2025-26 exam?
Answer: The IOS 2025-26 exam for each class typically consists of 40 questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The number of questions may vary slightly for junior classes, but for Classes 9 to 12, it remains consistent.
Q2. How are marks distributed across different subjects in the IOS exam?
Answer: In Classes 11 and 12, each subject such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, and Reasoning & Aptitude usually carries 10 questions, with each question worth 2.5 marks, totaling 25 marks per subject. This makes the complete exam 100 marks.
Q3. What is the Scholar’s Zone in the IOS exam pattern?
Answer: The Scholar’s Zone is a special section included in IOS exams to assess higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills. It usually contains around 5 questions with a higher mark weightage (up to 4–4.3 marks per question), contributing significantly to the total score.
Q4. Is there any negative marking in the IOS 2025-26 exam?
Answer: No, the IOS 2025-26 exam does not include any negative marking, which encourages students to attempt all questions without the fear of losing marks for incorrect answers.
Q5. Are Reasoning and Aptitude questions compulsory for all classes in IOS 2025-26?
Answer: Yes, Reasoning and Aptitude is a compulsory and significant part of the IOS exam for all classes, contributing between 17 to 30 marks, depending on the grade level. It helps evaluate the student’s logical thinking and analytical skills.
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