If you are looking for ways to identify your child’s potential and abilities, Olympiad exams are the best solution to it. The sheer motive behind these exams is to enhance students’ aptitude and encourage learning with a greater interest. They are a means for young learners to compete with others on a similar educational level.
When your child appears for an Olympiad, it will help him/her analyse their strengths and weaknesses. The Olympiad exams may be nationwide or international level examinations and lead a student towards academic improvement. Scientific-reasoning and logical-ability are the significant components of these exams.
Most Asked Queries about Olympiad Exams
Numerous queries can pop up in one’s mind for anyone who wishes to appear for an Olympiad exam. These can be about the Olympiad exam registration, eligibility criteria, pattern, syllabus, and a lot more. In this post today, we will be answering your queries for the same. Let us take a look at the top 9 questions Olympiad aspirants ask.
Here they are!
Question 1: What Are SOF Olympiads?
If you are an Olympiad aspirant, you may have heard of the term – SOF Olympiads. Here, SOF is the Science Olympiad Foundation. It is a body that conducts various Olympiads that promote scientific temperament among students. Out of the multiple Olympiads that this non-profit organization organizes, some of them include:
- International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO),
- National Science Olympiad (NSO),
- International English Olympiad (IEO),
- National Cyber Olympiad (NCO),
- International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO),
- International Company Secretaries Olympiad (ICSO), etc.
Question 2: What Is the Eligibility Requirement for Olympiads Exams?
Students can appear for various Olympiad exams that occur both on national and international levels. For each of these, there is a specific eligibility requirement they need to meet. Typically, most of the Olympiad exams are meant for all students from classes 1 to 12. Some exams occur in the form of different levels.
For any Olympiad that you want to appear in, make sure to check its eligibility criteria on its official website. Here are some of the most popular Olympiads and their eligibility requirements:
- NTSE (National Talent Search Exam): 10th class students
- KVPY (Kishore Vygnanika Protsahan Yojana): Inter (MPC/BIPC)
- HBBVS (Dr. Homi Baba Bal Vidyanic Spertha): 6th to 9thclass students
- Hindustan Olympiad by Hindustan Times: 1st to 12th class students
- IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad): 1st to 12th class students
- NSEIS (National Standard Exam in Junior Science): 1st to 10th class students
- RMO (Regional Mathematics Olympiad): Intermediate
- India Computing Olympiad: 8th to 12th class students
- IOI (International Olympiad in Informatics): 1st to 8th class students
Question 3: How to Register for NSO, IGKO, IMO, IEO, NCO, ICSO, or Any Other Olympiad Exam?
For most of the Olympiad exams out there, the registration process is the same and relatively simple. Students can only register for one through their school, especially in the case of SOF Olympiads. The organization does not accept any other application. Therefore, it is not possible to opt for individual student registration.
Further, your school has to register with the body that conducts that particular Olympiad. In this case, it needs to register with SOF. Once this is done, the school receives all the relevant information about the Olympiad – prospectus, registration forms, sample papers, and other information.
So, if you are appearing for the IT Olympiad and want to know the type of IT Olympiad questions you need to prepare for, enquire in your school. The same goes for registration, result, and other details about the Olympiad you are sitting for.
Question 4: What Is the Syllabus for Olympiads Exams?
Usually, the syllabus for any Olympiad is based on the syllabus prescribed by CBSE, ICSE, or other state boards. For a particular syllabus, you need to check the exam’s website or enquire about it at school. Further, while the syllabus can be similar to your school syllabus, the questions asked are trickier and conceptual-based.
Here are some of the popular Olympiad exams and their syllabus at a glance:
- NTSE (National Talent Search Exam): Science, Maths, Social, Mental ability
- KVPY (Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana): Inter syllabus
- HBBVS (Dr. Homi Baba Bal Vidyanic Spertha): CBSE/ICSE Syllabus
- IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad): CBSE/ICSE Syllabus
- NSEIS (National Standard Exam in Junior Science): CBSE/ICSE Syllabus
- RMO (Regional Mathematics Olympiad): CBSE Syllabus
- India Computing Olympiad: CBSE Syllabus
- IOI (International Olympiad in Informatics): CBSE/ICSE/SCERT Syllabus
Question 5: How Do All Olympiad Exams Rank Students Who Appear for Them?
All the Olympiad exams rank students based on their marks in the exam and overall performance. After the Olympiad result, students receive a Performance Report which has all the details about their preference.
Question 6: Are There Any Special Books for Olympiad Exams Preparation?
Are you looking for an Olympiad helper for class 10? While you can readily get one, Olympiad testing bodies often recommend CBSE/ICSE and State Boards books for preparation of the exam. Also, you can find a list of reference books you can refer to on their website. If you are able to get these books, do read them. If not, it is okay to stay confined to the textbooks.
Do not overburden yourself by looking for reference books. SOF recommends some of the following books:
- MTG Smart Series Textbooks for class 1 to 8
- Previous Years’ Papers
- MTG Class-wise Practice-cum-Workbooks for class 1 to 8
- Online text packages
- Olympiad Skill Development System
- Olympiads’ Books of Reasoning
Question 7: Is It Possible to Appear for Multiple Olympiad Exams?
Yes, students can participate in more than one Olympiad exam. Most of the exams have different syllabus and objectives making them completely different competitions. Therefore, students can choose to appear for any of them depending on their interests. To fetch more details on the same, you can refer to the exam’s official website.
Question 8: Can A Student Re-Appear for An Olympiad Exam?
Are you wondering if you can appear for an Olympiad exam that you already have? The answer is – Yes! If you meet the eligibility criteria that year, you can do so. In fact, re-appearing for an Olympiad is an excellent way to improve your score.
Question 9: What Are Some Popular Olympiads and Their Objectives?
All the Olympiad exams are meant to test students on various skills. Hence, they have different objectives. For instance, SOF Olympiads identify and nurture future scientists and IT talents. Here are the popular Olympiads the body conducts and their objective:
NSO
This Olympiad exam aims to promote logical ability and scientific reasoning among students.
NCO
NCO is an Olympiad that helps students evaluate their know-how of cyber concepts.
IEO
This Olympiad exam helps school learners measure their English knowledge and usage of the language.
IMO
It assists young minds to test their mathematics-based knowledge and mathematics skills.
ICSO
This exam is an excellent way to prepare students for higher examination. It does so by testing their familiarity in Business Studies, Accountancy Economics, and Quantitative analysis reasoning.
IGKO
The IGKO Olympiad aims at developing a student’s interest in General Knowledge and current affairs.
The Final Wrap-Up!
So, these are the top 9 questions aspirants and parents often ask about Olympiad exams. We hope this post helps you clear some of your doubts. Register for an Olympiad you are interested in now, and start its preparation. All the best!
