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International English Olympiad (IEO) 2026-27

Updated 10 Nov 2026
Reading time 2 minutes

IEO is the English olympiad that SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) runs for Classes 1 to 12. Children who do well in Level 1 go on to Level 2 (Classes 3 to 12).

30 Sep to 17 Nov 2026exam dates
School onlywho registers
₹170fee
In schoolwhere

When is IEO 2026-27?

30 Sep 202627 Oct 202617 Nov 2026

On paper, in their own school during school hours. The school picks one of the dates.

How do I register my child, and what does it cost?

Through the school only (no individual registration). If your school doesn't run it, it can sign up free. Last date: usually 30 days before the exam date. Fee: ₹170. School may add up to ₹30. Outside India: US$11. It is free for children with a major physical disability, and for a child of a soldier martyred in defence operations.

What is in the paper?

Word & Structure KnowledgeReadingSpoken & Written ExpressionAchievers

Classes 1 to 4: 35 questions, 40 marks. Class 5 up: 50 questions, 60 marks (questions in Achievers, the hardest section, carry 2 to 3 marks each). It takes 60 minutes. Negative marking: not published. Language: English.

What is the syllabus?

CBSE, ICSE/ISC and state boards.

The topics, class by class, as the organiser lists them:

Class 1

Jumbled Letters, Words : Their Meanings and Opposites, Identify the Word From the Picture, Making a Word, Word Power, Feminine and Masculine, One and Many, Word Pairs, Odd One Out, Animals : Their Babies, Sounds and Groups, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Conjunctions, Articles, Adverbs, Prepositions, Adjectives, Basic tenses, Punctuation, Comprehension (Prose and Poetry), Picture Composition, Spoken and Written Expression. · Achievers Section : Higher Order Thinking Questions - from the above given Syllabus.

Class 2

Section – 1 : Collocations, Spellings, Synonyms, Antonyms, Identify the word from the Picture, Words Related to Animals, Phrases, Idioms, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Contractions, Word order, Punctuation, Simple tenses. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like stories, short dialogues, etc. Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, invitations, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like thanking, greeting, asking for permission, introducing (oneself), etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 3

Section – 1 : Word Power : Homophones, Collocations, Spellings, Words related to animals, Household things, Clothes, Basic emotions, Food, Animals and Pets, etc., Synonyms and Antonyms, Gender, Number, Proverbs, Idioms, One Word, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Simple Tenses, Conjunctions and Punctuation, Basic Questions, Question tags, Jumbled words, etc. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like Stories, Anecdotes, etc., Understand information through pictures, Time-table format, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, invitations, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like apology, greeting, introduction, request, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 4

Section – 1 : Collocations, Spellings, Gender, Singular-Plural, One word Substitution, Synonyms, Antonyms, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Contractions, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Tenses, Punctuations and Jumbled words, Basic Questions, Question Tags, Proverbs, Idioms, etc. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like Stories, Anecdotes, etc., Understand information through pictures, Time-table format, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, invitations, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like apology, greeting, introduction, request, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 5

Section – 1 : Spellings, Collocations, Idioms, Homonyms and homophones, Synonyms, Antonyms, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs and Phrasal Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Punctuation, Tenses, Active-Passive Voice and Reported Speech, etc. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News headlines, Messages, Letters, etc., Understand information given in News reports, Time-tables, Messages, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, menu card dialogues, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like Requests, Refusals, Apologies, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 6

Section – 1 : Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Conjunctions, Prepositions, Punctuation and Jumbled Words, Tenses, Voices, Narration, etc., Spellings, Collocations, Phrasal verbs, Idioms, Synonyms, Antonyms. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News headlines, Brochures, Formal and Informal letters, Itinerary, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in Short narratives, Time-tables, News stories, Diary entry, Poster Making, Messages, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like agreement and disagreement, Requests, Refusals, Apologies, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 7

Section – 1 : Spellings, Collocations and Words related to Travel, Locations, Activities, Homonyms and Homophones, etc., Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, One word, Phrasal verbs and Idioms, Modals, Word order, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Punctuation, Tenses, Voices and Narration, etc. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News stories, Brochures, Formal and informal letters and advertisements. Understand information given in News reports, Brochures, Itinerary, etc., Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in short narratives, Biographies, Notices and Messages, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like requesting and refusing, Apologies and stating of preferences and expression of intent, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Class 8

Section – 1 : Synonyms, Antonyms, Analogies and Spellings, Collocations, Phrasal Verbs, Idioms or Proverbs, Homonyms and Homophones, One word, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Articles, Prepositions, Prepositional Phrases, Participle Phrases, Conjunctions, Determiners, Jumbled Words and Punctuations, Tenses, Voices and Narrations, Question Tags, etc. Words related to leisure, Household items/issues, Social causes, Outdoor locations and activities, etc. · Section – 2 : Search for and retrieve information from various text types like News reports, Blurb, Dictionaries, etc., Understand information presented in instruction manual format, Message format and others. Acquire broad understanding of and look for specific information in longer texts like Editorials, Essays, etc. · Section – 3 : Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like Requesting, Giving information, Expressing surprise, Pronunciation, etc. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Sections 1, 2 and 3.

Syllabus topics and a sample question for your child's class:

Is there a Level 2, and who goes?

Two levels (Level 2 for Classes 3 to 12).

Classes 3 to 12: the top 5% of each class worldwide, the top 25 of each class in each zone, and each school's class topper (when 10 or more children took the exam and the topper scored 50% or more). Classes 1 and 2 are ranked on Level 1 alone.

The Level 2 syllabus: on SOF's class syllabus pages.

Cut-off: Not published. Level 2 goes by rank, not a fixed mark.

How does my child get the admit card?

Roll number and admit card come through the school. If missing, the school asks SOF for a duplicate.

Is there an official IEO answer key?

Not published on SOF's own website.

When do results come, and what can my child win?

Within 8 weeks: sent to the school, and on SOF's results page.

  • Every child: a certificate and a progress report
  • Zonal top 25 per class: gold medal of distinction
  • School gold medals
  • Cash awards for international and zonal top ranks

Where can I find IEO sample papers and previous year papers?

One free sample paper per class to download on SOF's own website. Olympiad Owl does not share the papers themselves. Our class pages above have a free sample question each, and the app has full mock papers in the previous year paper pattern.

How can my child prepare for IEO?

A few questions a day in the real pattern, and one full timed paper a week, works better than a last-minute rush.

From SOF's own website · SOF's results page, 25 Oct 2026.

Keep reading

Checked on each organiser's own website, 25 Oct 2026. Rules and dates can change; their site is always final. Olympiad Owl is not linked to any organiser.