Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) - The Complete Guide to Exam details & Resources

1. SOF Olympiad Exams

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) conducts several annual Olympiad exams, designed to challenge students' knowledge and skills:

• National Science Olympiad (NSO)

• International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

• International English Olympiad (IEO)

• International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO)

• International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO)

• International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO)

2. Eligibility Criteria

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) sets simple eligibility criteria for its Olympiad exams. Any student can participate, with no minimum marks required. Below is a summary of the eligibility for each SOF exam:

NSO, IMO, & IEO:

Students from classes 1 to 12 can take the first-level exam for the National Science Olympiad (NSO), International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), and International English Olympiad (IEO). There is no minimum  must:

• Be in the top 5% of their class in the first level.

• Rank among the top 25 students in their zone.

• Be class toppers if at least 10 students from their class appear in the exam and score 50% or more.

For classes 1 and 2, there is no second level. These students are ranked based on their first-level scores.

ICSO and IGKO:

Students from classes 1 to 10 can appear for the International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO) and International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO). These are single-level exams.

ISSO:

Students from classes 3 to 10 can participate in the International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO). This is also a single-level exam.

3. Syllabus and Exam pattern

Each Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exam follows a specific syllabus and exam pattern. These syllabi align with students' current academic standards, ensuring relevance and challenge. The exam pattern varies based on the subject and grade level, focusing on both objective and analytical skills.

For the most up-to-date syllabus and exam pattern for each Olympiad, click on the relevant link below:

• NSO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• IMO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• IEO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• ICSO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• IGKO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

• ISSO Syllabus and Exam Pattern

By reviewing the syllabus and exam pattern, students can better prepare for the challenges ahead, ensuring a structured approach to their studies.

4. Registration Process

The registration process for all Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exams is straightforward and must be done through schools. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you with the registration:

Prospectus: Registered schools will receive a prospectus that contains the registration forms. Schools not registered with SOF can request a prospectus by emailing info@sofworld.org or by calling SOF.

Filling Forms: The school’s coordinator is responsible for filling out the School Registration Form (SRF) and the Students' Registration Sheet (SRS) according to the provided guidelines. These forms must be submitted to SOF by the due date.

Roll Numbers: Once SOF receives the registration forms, roll numbers will be generated for the students. The foundation will also dispatch question papers and guidelines for conducting the exam.

Examination Dates: SOF Olympiads are conducted on multiple dates. Each school can select a date that works best for them. Each date has a separate question paper, and no changes in the date are allowed once chosen.

School Registration: Any school can register as an examination center for SOF Olympiads. There is no fee for schools to become a registered center.

Student Registration: All students must register through their respective schools. Individual registrations are not accepted.

Registration Fee: Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal: ₹125 (including GST) per student for each Olympiad. For other countries: US$9 per student. Schools may charge an additional fee of ₹25 (or US$1) for administrative expenses, honorariums, and other associated costs. No fee is required for students with disabilities or children of Indian martyrs.

5. Exam Dates and Schedule

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) conducts its Olympiad exams on multiple dates, allowing schools to choose the most convenient option. Each exam date has a unique set of question papers, and once a date is selected, it cannot be changed.

Below are the exam dates for each SOF Olympiad:

6. Results and Ranking

The SOF results are released on their official website, showcasing rankings based on performance at the school, state, national, and international levels. You can check the results for each Olympiad through the links below:

• IMO results

• NSO results

• IEO results

• ICSO results

• ISSO results

• IGKO results

7. Awards and Prizes

The Science Olympiad Foundation offers a range of prestigious awards for students excelling in various Olympiad exams. These awards include scholarships for top performers at the international, zonal, and school levels.

For NSO, IEO, and IMO:

• Classes 3-12: International and Zonal toppers will be honored with awards and scholarships in the second level.

• Classes 1-2: As these exams are single-level, awards will be given to the top performers at the first level.

• Class Topper Awards: Every class winner will receive an award for their exceptional performance in the first level.

In case the second level of exams is canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (such as a pandemic), the results of the first level will be considered final, and the awards will be based on those ranks.

For IGKO, ICSO, ICO, IHO, and ISSO:

• All Classes: As these are single-level exams, international and zonal topper awards will be provided to first-level winners.

• Class Topper Awards: Awards will be given to top-ranked students from each class and school section.

Each student is eligible to receive one award per exam. If a student wins an international award, the zonal or school-level awards will be passed on to the next highest-ranked student in that category.

For more details, you can reach out to your school or visit the Science Olympiad Foundation official website.

8. SOF Olympiad exam preparation

Olympiadtester is a trusted leader in Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exam preparation since 2015. We offer free courses for key SOF Olympiads, including IMO, NSO, IEO, ICSO, IGKO, and ISSO.

They include sample papers, online mock tests, and PDF worksheets. These are based on previous SOF question papers and the expected pattern for upcoming Olympiads.

To get started with our free courses, follow these steps:

1. Click this link.

2. Register if you don’t have an account.

3. Navigate to the Category section and select your grade.

4. Choose the SOF Olympiad courses you want to practice.

5. Start preparing immediately.

With our comprehensive resources, mastering SOF exams has never been easier!

9. FAQs about SOF

Find answers to frequently asked questions about SOF exams, registration, and preparation.