About
The International Mathematics Olympiad (SOF IMO) is an annual event conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) to evaluate the mathematical abilities of students from grades 1 to 12. The SOF Olympiad exposes students to a challenging curriculum, encouraging them to develop their creativity, logical reasoning, and critical thinking skills, while building their self-confidence in a competitive environment from an early age. The top 5% students who qualify for the IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) level-1 will be eligible to participate in the IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) level-2 competition.
This page provides comprehensive information on the SOF IMO Olympiad, including exam dates, frequently asked questions, awards, and the method of participation.
How to participate
Registration of Students: The SOF IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad) is open to the students of classes 1 to 12.
Principals/teachers may please note that any school can be registered as a center for SOF IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad) Level 1. No fee is required from the institution to become a registered examination centre.
Prospectus containing the Registration forms are sent to all schools registered with SOF. Schools not registered may also request for prospectus by sending an e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 0124-4951200. Schools must return the registration forms to SOF, duly filled in and complete in all respects by the due date.
Roll Numbers: The school’s coordinating teacher should fill the School Registration Form (SRF) and Students’ Registration Sheet (SRS) as per the guidelines given & should send to the SOF’s office before the due date of submission of forms. SOF will register the applicant school and the students. As per the Students’ Registration Sheet (SRS) received from the School, SOF will generate roll numbers for all students.
SOF IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad) is conducted on three dates for Level 1. Each school may select a date for conducting the SOF IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) as per its convenience. Each date of exam has a separate set of question papers. Change of date for conducting the SOF IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) is not permitted.
Registration Fee: Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal pay to SOF a registration fee of Rs 125* (including GST) per student / Olympiad towards cost of examination. Schools may charge an additional Rs 25** per student towards honorarium of incharge, remuneration to teachers to teach and guide, and for other expenses. No fee is payable for students suffering from any major physical disability, or an Indian student whose parent was martyred during defence operations.
*US$9 for other countries.
**US$1 for other countries.
The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad is conducted at two levels:
Level 1: The first level of the test is organized in the respective schools of the participants during school hours.
(i) The level 1 competition is a test of 60 minutes duration comprising 35 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 1 to class 4 and 50 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 5 to class 12.
(ii) The question paper consists of four sections:
Section-1: Logical Reasoning
Section-2: Mathematical Reason
Section-3: Everyday Mathematics
Section-4: Achievers Section
(iii) There are separate question papers for each date of exam.
(iv) The medium of the test is English.
(v) CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Board syllabi are followed for setting the test papers.
(vi) The exam is conducted during school hours.
Level 2: The level 2 is conducted for students of class 3 to class 12. The qualifiers to second round would include the following:
At International Level: Top 5% of candidates, class wise, who appear in the 1st level exam internationally.
At Zone/State Level: Top 25 rank holders from each Zone and each class.
At School Level: Class topper where at least 10 students from a class appear in the exam & scores at least 50% qualifying marks.
IMO Awards
For the academic year 2022-23, SOF spent over Rs. 20 Crores on awards/scholarships, gifts & felicitations etc.
The following awards/scholarships will be provided to the winners of SOF International Mathematics Olympiad being held during the academic year 2023-24.
Awards/Scholarship - Student
International & Zonal awards/scholarships will be provided to 2nd level winners from class 3 to class 12. Class topper awards/scholarships and for classes 1 & 2, awards/scholarships will be provided to 1st level winners.
Second level Exams – may be conducted based on the prevalent conditions due to Corona virus at that time leading to feasibility of conducting 2nd level exams in all states. In case 2nd level exams are not conducted, results of 1st level exams will be treated as final results.
Each winner will be entitled to one award/scholarship for an exam. The winners will be entitled to the higher level award/scholarship only. For e.g., the international top 3 rank holders will be entitled to awards/scholarships based on their International ranks. Awards/scholarships accruing to them for Zonal ranks will be given to the next rank holder. Similarly, class topper award/scholarship accruing to a Zonal award/scholarship winner will be given to the next rank holder.
Awards/Scholarships for class level two performance and for classes one and two
| AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL | ||
| RANK | SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| 1st | Rs.50,000/- Each + International Gold Medal* + Certificate of Outstanding Performance | 12 |
| 2nd | Rs.25,000/- Each + International Silver Medal* + Certificate of Outstanding Performance | 12 |
| 3rd | Rs.10,000/- Each + International Bronze Medal* + Certificate of Outstanding Performance | 12 |
* In case two or more students achieve the same international rank, cash award/scholarship in the applicable category will be distributed as under:
For up to 10 students getting the same rank, award/scholarship amount will be distributed equally. In addition, each winner will be awarded/provided a medal (in the applicable category) and a Certificate.
In case 11 or more students get the same rank, in lieu of cash award/scholarship, each winner will be awarded/provided scholarship of gifts worth Rs.1,000/- each + a medal ( in the applicable category) and a Certificate.
| AT ZONAL LEVEL | ||
| RANK | SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| 1st | Rs 5000/- Each + Zonal Gold Medal*+ Certificate of Zonal Excellence | 312 |
| 2nd | Rs 2500/- Each + Zonal Silver Medal*+ Certificate of Zonal Excellence | 312 |
| 3rd | Rs 1000/- Each + Zonal Bronze Medal*+ Certificate of Zonal Excellence | 312 |
| 4th to 10th | Gifts worth Rs 500/- Each + Certificate of Zonal Excellence | 2184 |
| 11th to 25th | Certificate of Zonal Excellence | 4680 |
| Rank 26+ | Merit Certificate | All |
* In case two or more students achieve the same Zonal rank, cash award/scholarship in the applicable category will be distributed as under:
For up to 5 students getting the same rank, award/scholarship amount will be distributed equally. In addition, each winner will be awarded a medal (in the applicable category) and a Certificate.
In case 6 or more students get the same rank, in lieu of cash award/scholarship, each winner will be awarded/provided scholarship of gifts worth Rs.1,000/- each + a medal ( in the applicable category) and a Certificate.
For single level exams and for 2 level exams, Medal of Distinction & Certificate of Distinction are awarded for 1st level performance and Zonal medals & Certificate of Zonal Excellence are awarded for 2nd level performance.
Single level exams are held for SOF IGKO, SOF NCO, SOF ISSO & SOF ICO. For SOF IEO, SOF NSO & SOF IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad), class one and class two exams are single level exams.
Medals are gold /silver/ bronze coloured, as applicable
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LEVEL ONE PERFORMANCE
| AT ZONAL LEVEL | ||
| RANK | SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| 1 to 25 | Medal of Distinction** + Certificate of Distinction + Student Performance Report | 7800 |
| Rank 26+ | Participation Certificate + Student Performance Report | All |
AT SCHOOL LEVEL
1. Medals to School/Class Toppers.
- All students scoring 100% marks.
- For 5 to 9 students writing the exam/class – Gold Medal of Excellence to top rank holder in class
- For 10 to 25 students writing the exam/class – Gold Medal of Excellence to top 3 rank holders in class
- For more than 25 students writing the exam/class – Gold Medal of Excellence to top 10% rank holders in class
2. Student Performance Report (SPR) for each participating student.
- Every student who appears in SOF IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) is provided with a Student Performance Report (SPR). An SPR is a detailed analysis of how the student attempted the 1st level Olympiad exam.
- The objective of SPR is to share with the student and her / his parents, analysis of student’s answers. This is expected to enable the student understand her/his strengths and areas requiring improvement in absolute terms and also on a competitive scale consisting of lacs of students of her/his class who appeared for the Olympiad.
Student Performance Report (SPR) consists of five sections:
- Section A – provides the student’s marks and rank achieved in School / City / Zone / Region / International level.
- Section B – provides a past Year-wise analysis of the student.
- Section C – provides a percentage score analysis of the student with a comparison at Class, City, Zone and International level.
- Section D – provides a comparison of average marks analysis at the School, City, Zone and International level.
- Section E – provides a Topic-wise performance analysis of the student.
3. Participation Certification to each student.
4. Merit Certificate to 2nd level participants.
5. Top 25 rank holders from each class & each Olympiad exam will be awarded Medals of Distinction. This will be applicable for winners from 26 Zones for performance in the 1st level Olympiads/ single level Olympiads.
AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS – SCHOOLS
| AT INTERNATIONAL LEVEL | ||
| CATEGORY | AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| Best Principal* | Rs 25000/- + Citation + Trophy | 20 |
| Best Teacher | Rs 10000/- + Citation + Trophy | 10 |
| AT ZONAL LEVEL | ||
| CATEGORY | AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| Best Principal* | Rs 10000/- +Citation + Trophy | 130 |
| Best Teacher | Rs 5000/- Citation + Trophy | 78 |
| AT DISTRICT LEVEL | ||
| CATEGORY | AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS | NO. OF AWARDS/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| Best Principal* | Rs 2500/- + Citation + Trophy | 500 |
| Best Teacher | Rs 1000/- + Citation + Trophy | 400 |
*Awards/Scholarships to Principals are based on cumulative performance of schools in all exams, whereas awards/scholarships to teachers are based on performance of school in SOF IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad).
AT SCHOOL LEVEL
- In addition, following are also provided:-
– Appreciation Certificate to all Principal & teachers.
– Appreciation Gifts to select Principal & teachers.
International Mathematics Olympiad Exam Dates:
SOF IMO will be conducted on three dates, as under. A school may select one date to conduct the SOF IMO(International Mathematics Olympiad) as per its convenience.
DATE ONE – 31st October 2023
DATE TWO – 30th November 2023
DATE THREE – 14th December 2023
Dates of exams may change depending on impact of Corona on functioning of schools.