What is IMO?
The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), is one of the largest school-level math competitions in the world — conducted annually across thousands of schools in India and internationally.
Open to students from Class 1 to Class 12, IMO tests how students think, not just what they've memorised — through logical reasoning, mathematical reasoning, everyday-math application, and higher-order-thinking questions. It's a great foundation before students move on to RMO/INMO and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to students from Class 1 to Class 12
- Student must be enrolled in a school registered with SOF (or apply through a registered center)
- Level 1 is open to all eligible students — no cutoff needed
- Level 2 is only for Classes 3–12, and only for the top 5% of Level 1 scorers
- No Level 2 is conducted for Classes 1 and 2
Quick Facts
| Organised by | Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) |
| Exam mode | Pen-and-paper, conducted at school |
| Exam months | Level 1: Sept–Nov · Level 2: Jan–Feb |
| Registration | Through your school (SOF-registered) |
| Negative marking | None |
Exam Pattern and Scoring
- Format: Multiple-choice, pen-and-paper
- Duration: 60 minutes for all classes
- Level 1 sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics, Achievers Section
- Level 2 (top 5% only): Mathematical Reasoning + Achievers Section, at a higher difficulty
- Most questions carry 1 mark each
- Achievers Section (higher-order-thinking): 3 marks per question
- No negative marking at either level
- Question count and total marks scale up with class level
From Level 1 to Level 2 — and Beyond
IMO is structured as a two-stage funnel, so early performance directly decides who advances:
| Level 1 | Open to all eligible students, Classes 1–12 |
| Level 2 Qualification | Top 5% of Level 1 scorers, Classes 3–12 only |
| Awards | Gold/Silver/Bronze medals, International & Zonal rank certificates, cash prizes for top ranks |
| Next step | Students aiming for India's elite pathway typically move on to RMO/INMO |
IMO Syllabus by Class
IMO syllabus is based on CBSE, ICSE, and State Board curricula, with topics scaling up by class. Broad coverage:
Foundational Concepts
- Number sense & number names
- Addition, subtraction basics
- Shapes, patterns, spatial understanding
- Simple reasoning & series completion
Building Blocks
- Factors, multiples, LCM & HCF
- Fractions & decimals
- Geometrical shapes & angles
- Measurement, time, money
- Coding-decoding, analogy, ranking tests
Intermediate Math
- Integers, rational numbers
- Algebraic expressions & equations
- Elementary geometry & mensuration
- Data handling & probability basics
Advanced Foundations
- Polynomials, linear equations
- Coordinate geometry, trigonometry basics
- Circles, triangles, mensuration
- Statistics & probability
Senior Level
- Sets, relations & functions
- Trigonometry & coordinate geometry
- Sequences, series, probability
- Calculus basics (as per NCERT)
Exam Date & Registration
- Level 1 is typically held between September and November
- Level 2 (for qualifiers) follows around January–February
- Registration is done through your school, not individually online
- Schools must submit student applications at least 30 days before the exam date
How to Register
Why Participate? Benefits of IMO
🏅 Awards & Recognition
Gold/Silver/Bronze medals, International and Zonal rank certificates, and cash prizes for top rank holders.
📈 Sharper Problem Solving
Builds logical reasoning and application skills that strengthen school performance and future competitive exams.
🎯 A Confident First Olympiad
School-based, low-pressure format makes it a natural starting point before RMO, INMO, or international Olympiads.
🌏 Wide Participation Base
One of the largest school-level math Olympiads, giving a reliable national and international performance benchmark.
Join Our IMO Preparation Program
Whether you're just beginning your Olympiad journey or aiming for a top score, our structured IMO program is designed to help students build deep conceptual understanding and effective problem-solving skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can appear for IMO?
Students from Class 1 to Class 12, enrolled in a school registered with SOF, are eligible for Level 1.
Do I register individually?
No — registration is done through your school, which submits applications at least 30 days before the exam date.
Is there negative marking?
No. There's no penalty for wrong answers at either Level 1 or Level 2.
What if my school doesn't offer IMO?
Talk to your school administration about registering with SOF, or reach out to us — we can guide you on the process.
How can Scholars Foundation help me prepare?
We offer class-wise IMO batches with topic coverage, mock tests, and WhatsApp doubt support — message us for current batch timings.