IMO FAQs

How does a student benefit by taking IMO?

Participants of IMO are ranked on the basis of marks obtained. Hence, after taking the first level of the test, students can judge themselves academically at four different levels - within the school, at city level, at state level and above all at International level. Students are suitably awarded based on their international, State and School ranking. Prizes include cash awards, I-Pads, medals, Gifts, certificates etc... The International toppers from each class are awarded at a grand prize distribution ceremony held in Delhi, presided over by an eminent personality. Prizes for state winners and school winners are sent to their respective schools.

Who all are eligible to sit for the IMO?

Students of classes 1st to 12th are eligible to appear for the 1st level IMO. There is no other eligibility criterion like minimum marks. Students who qualify for the 2^nd level exam include top 5% of students class wise who appear for the 1st level exam, state wise top 10 rank holders class wise and class toppers from each participating school where at least 10 students from a class appear in the exam & scores 75% qualifying marks. Students from classes 1 and  2 are not required to appear for the 2^nd level exam and are ranked based on their performance in the first level exam.

I am interested to take part in the IMO. Tell me how will I come to know about the details of the exam?

All the relevant information is sent to the schools all over the country / Asian countries along with prospectus, registration forms, posters and other details before the first round and then as the date and venue of the second level is decided, the information is sent to the relevant schools again. The students come to know about the necessary details from their school teachers or through the Foundation's official website www.sofworld.org or through the foundation’s face book page www.facebook.com/sofworld.

Myself and few of my friends are interested to take part in the IMO but our school has not yet received any information regarding the Olympiad. What can we do?

Please let us know the complete address of your school. We will send detailed information and registration forms to your School so that your Principal / Mathematics Teacher can register for the exam and you may take part in it. 

What is the syllabus for the IMO?

The syllabus of the IMO is the Mathematics syllabus as is prescribed by the CBSE, ICSE or various state boards. The syllabus is also posted on the Foundation’s website

Are there any special books which the participants should refer to for the IMO preparation?

In general, NCERT books/course books prescribed by the CBSE/ICSE/STATE BOARDS are essential for the preparation. IMO work books and Mental Ability part of MTG Book’s NSO work book and NCO work book is helpful for preparation of IMO.

We also have following books/materials for IMO preparation:

1)     MTG IMO class wise Workbooks (For Class 1 to 10)

2)     ‘SOF Olympiad Trainer’ Mobile Apps

3)     OSDS (Olympiad Skill Development System)

4)     Previous Years’  Papers

5)     Olympiads’ Book of Reasoning (for preparation for the reasoning section of IMO)

6)     E-Quiz

For Class 8, 9 & 10 read

• MTG Mental Ability in 30 days
• MTG Math IQ Challenge 

The above books/materials related to Olympiad are published by MTG. (website : www.mtg.in)

My school does not want to register for the IMO, but I am very eager to write the exam. Can I do it on my own?

SOF does not encourage individual participation. Students have to register through their schools only. 

I have already appeared for the IMO while I was in a lower class? Can I appear again?

Certainly. This will give you an opportunity to improve your previous rankings, and if you are successful in doing so, you will again be eligible for certificates and prizes. 

My school has already dispatched the registration form. I am left out and I want to register myself for the IMO. What should I do?

You can request your school authority to send your exam relevant details and fee immediately to us. We will accept it if it reaches us before the last date of registration (usually 30 days before the exam). 

I am going to write the IMO for the first time. Can I get sample papers?

Sample Papers are sent to all schools registered for IMO. SOF website also contains these papers (http://www.sofworld.org/imo/imo-exam/sample-papers.html). Sample papers sent to the schools prior to the first level test are helpful and can be used for both levels of IMO.

In addition to the sample papers, students may also benefit by subscribing to OSDS – Olympiad Skill Development System (please refer to our sitewww.sofworld.org  for details)

What is the structure and pattern of the examination?

For class 1 to 4 :

The participant has to answer 35 questions in 60 minutes. There will be a separate question paper for each class.

Question paper will have three sections

Section I – Logical and Analytical Reasoning (10 questions)

Section II – Mathematical Reasoning (15 questions)

Section III – Everyday Mathematics (10 questions)

For class 5 to 12 :

The participant has to answer 50 questions in 60 minutes.

Section I : Logical and Analytical Reasoning (20 questions)

Section II : Mathematical reasoning (20 questions)

Section III : Everyday mathematics (10 questions)

When are the results of IMO declared?

Results of both the levels of IMO are declared within 6 weeks of the examination. The results are sent to the schools concerned. The results are also made available on our website. 

I have taken part in the IMO Can I also take part in the National Science Olympiad (NSO), National Cyber Olympiad (NCO) and International English Olympiad (IEO)?

Although conducted by the same Foundation, NCO, NSO, IMO and IEO are four completely different competitions. Students can register for all the 4 Olympiads in a year. 

Do I have to regularly visit your website for the latest update of SOF activities?

All the important information regarding Olympiads, Seminars, etc., like date, time and venue is available on our website. So it is beneficial for you to surf our sitewww.sofworld.orgor www.facebook.com/sofworld.

I have cleared IMO and I have come to know from that I am eligible for an award. I am studying in a different school / passed out from school and pursuing further studies. Will I come to know about the date and venue?

As soon as we finalize the date and venue of the presentation ceremony, we send out the information to the schools concerned and also to the winner's residence addresses as available with us. So preferably please be in touch with your previous school. The information will also be put on the website. 

We have come to know about your Foundation and we are interested. How do we enroll our school with you?

Send us the complete address of your school in the following format and we will send relevant information and registration forms to you at the appropriate time.

School Name: Address: City: State: Pin code Phone No. with STD Code: E-mail: Principal 

Is the IMO conducted in English only?

Yes.

We have less than 10 students in our school who are interested to take part in the IMO. Can we still enroll for the test?

For less than 10 students from a school, it is not viable for the Foundation to hold the exam. Hence at least 10 students should be enrolled from a school so that a school becomes a center.

Give criteria for ranking.

In case of level one exam, the following criteria will apply:

• Marks obtained in relevant level
• Marks obtained in sections of the relevant level. Each section is accorded separate weightage.
• In the first level exam, one rank may have more than one student.

In case of level 2, the following criteria will apply:

• Marks scored in level 2 exams.
• In case of a tie, weightage will be accorded as per following priority:
• Marks scored in sections in level two exam accorded more weightage.
• Marks scored in level 1 exam.
• Marks scored in sections in level one exam accorded more weightage.
• Past performance of student.
• Interview conducted by SOF.
• In level two, no two students will be given same rank.