International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2026-27
IMO is the maths 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).
When is IMO 2026-27?
23 Oct 202626 Nov 202610 Dec 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?
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. Sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics, Achievers (Classes 11 and 12: Mathematical Reasoning/Applied Maths). Negative marking: not published. Language: English.
What is the syllabus?
CBSE, ICSE/ISC and state boards. Split: 60% current class, 40% previous class (Achievers, the hardest section, is from the current class only).
The topics, class by class, as the organiser lists them:
Class 1
Section – 1 : Patterns, Odd One Out, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Spatial Understanding, Grouping of Figures, Analogy, Ranking Test, Problems based on Figures. · Section – 2 : Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (2-digit numbers), Addition, Subtraction, Lengths, Weights and Comparisons, Time, Money, Geometrical Shapes and Solids. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section–2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section–2.
Class 2
Section – 1 : Patterns, Odd One Out, Measuring Units, Geometrical Shapes, Analogy, Ranking Test, Grouping of Figures, Embedded Figures, Coding-Decoding. · Section – 2 : Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (3-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Temperature, Money, Lines, Shapes and Solids, Pictographs, Patterns. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section – 2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
Class 3
Section – 1 : Patterns, Analogy and Classification, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes, Embedded Figures, Possible Combinations, Clock and Calendar. · Section – 2 : Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (4-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions, Length, Weight, Capacity, Temperature, Time, Money, Geometry, Data Handling. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section – 2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
Class 4
Section – 1 : Patterns, Alphabet Test, Coding-Decoding, Ranking Test, Mirror Images, Geometrical Shapes and Solids, Embedded Figures, Direction Sense Test, Possible Combinations, Analogy and Classification, Clock and Calendar. · Section – 2 : Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (more than 4-digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions, Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Money, Geometry, Perimeter of Various Shapes, Symmetry, Conversions, Data Handling. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section–2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section–2.
Class 5
Section – 1 : Patterns, Analogy, Classification, Geometrical Shapes, Mirror and Water Images, Direction Sense Test, Ranking Test, Alphabet Test, Logical Sequence of Words, Puzzle Test, Coding-Decoding, Clock and Calendar. · Section – 2 : Numerals, Number Names, Number Sense (7 and 8 digit numbers), Computation Operations, Fractions and Decimals, Measurement of Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Temperature and Money, Conversions, Angles, Perimeter of Various Shapes & Area of Rectangle and Square, Symmetry, Data Handling. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section-2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section-2.
Class 6
Section – 1 : Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. · Section – 2 : Patterns in Mathematics, Lines and Angles, Number Play, Data Handling and Presentation, Prime Time, Perimeter and Area, Fractions, Playing with Constructions, Symmetry, The Other Side of Zero. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section – 2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
Class 7
Section – 1 : Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. · Section – 2 : Large Numbers Around Us, Arithmetic Expressions, Expressions using Letter-Numbers, Lines and Angles, Number Play, Triangles, Congruence of Triangles, Fractions, Decimals, Integers, Factors and Multiples, Data Handling, Constructions and Tilings, Simple Equations. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section – 2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
Class 8
Section – 1 : Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. · Section – 2 : A Square and A Cube, Exponents and Powers, A Story of Numbers, Quadrilaterals, Number Play, We Distribute, Yet Things Multiply, Proportional Reasoning, Fractions in Disguise, The Baudhayana– Pythagoras Theorem, Exploring Some Geometric Themes, Data Handling, Algebra Play, Area. · Section – 3 : Syllabus as per Section – 2. · Section – 4 : Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
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 IMO 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 IMO 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 IMO?
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.
Maths olympiads compared
Every olympiad by SOF