Preparing for the IMP International Maths Olympiad and don’t know where to start? Here’s a full guide to help you plan, prepare and score better.
International Maths Olympiad (IMO) is an annual competitive exam for high school students. It is generally organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation, International Maths Olympiad is organized in 2 phases. The first phase includes logic and mathematical questions. Only after a candidate passes the first phase can they move on to the next phase which is based on pure mathematics.
Students from classes 1 to 10 can appear for this exam. The International Maths Olympiad test is conducted in various schools all across India. The questions asked in the exam are multiple-choice questions with only one correct answer. This exam helps students perform better academically in school exams. It also and gives them an edge over the other students when solving tricky questions.
How to Prepare for International Maths Olympiad?
1. Understand the syllabus
While starting to prepare for IMO International Maths Olympiad, it is important to familiarize yourself with the syllabus. The syllabus for the Olympiad is slightly different from the syllabus of school exams. The first level exam consists of a 70% syllabus from the previous class. If you are appearing for International Maths Olympiad in Class 8th standard, 70% of the exam will be based on Class 7th. Therefore, it is important to understand the important concepts and find the necessary and relevant sources to study.
Before you start preparing for the exam:
- Collect relevant information and course material from reliable sources.
- Identify the important topics and build a strategic timeline to cover those.
- Avoid adding new material at the end time, as it will only confuse you.
One thing to consider is that International Maths Olympiad can change its exam pattern or weightage of topics from time to time. and upgrade the course material. Hence you need to know all the latest course material and prepare only according to the latest guidelines.
2. Collect relevant and trustworthy information
While starting on your preparation, ensure that you are collecting the relevant course material and books for IMO for your reference. There is a wide range of online material available for the International Maths Olympiad, but some of it might be irrelevant or misleading. Collect information from reliable sources and prepare for the exam only based on that. Apart from the course material, the information about exam timelines, patterns, marking systems, etc., should only be trusted from the official website, and communication channels.
3. Build a timetable
To begin with strategic preparation, the first step is to build a timetable. This timetable needs to include the following details:
- Time for IMO preparation
- Time for Olympiad practice
- Break time
- Time for school exam preparation
- Time for pursuing hobbies and recreational purposes
- Family time
With a strategic breakup of your time, you can spend your days productively. Studying for the exam, solving IMO problems and solutions, maintaining a healthy personal and social life, and engaging in your interest activities. This balance leads to healthy mental and physical health, which is important for appearing for all exams.
4. Practise
There are mock tests and previous year’s question papers that are available online and in the reference books. These tests and practice exams will help you understand the exam pattern and you can then get used to solving the questions under the time constraint.
Set timer while practising. The setting timer can help you by putting a timer before solving the question, you can strategically practice IMO problems and solutions and understand how to it takes you to attempt the exam. With this analysis, you can work on your weak areas. you think you lag behind. For example, if reading the questions and understanding them is taking up too much of your time, that needs to be your major focus. This analysis will help you be prepared for the real exam and help you prepare better and score well.
5. Find the right tutor
Preparation for IMO Level 1 preparation is relatively easier and can be done by a student with the help of school teachers, parents, and on their own. This level comprises questions in logical reasoning and basic mathematical knowledge, which is slightly easier to prepare.
Once Level 1 is cleared by a student, they move on to the next level. For IMO level 2 preparation, it’s important to find a coaching institute that guides who helps students to prepare and perform well in the exam. The right coaching class or tutor helps students prepare the right timetable, build a strategic approach, and score well in the exam.
6. Monitor your progress
After each practice exam or session, monitor your performance to identify your strong and weak areas. Identify your weak spots and spend more time strengthening them. This performance analysis will help you get in the rhythm of appearing for an exam and boost your main exam performance. You can work on your weak areas and build your strengths by referring to concepts available in relevant course material and special books for International Maths Olympiad.
7. Build a healthy lifestyle
Amidst Level 1 and Level 2 IMO preparation, students often get overstressed, and this anxiety deteriorates their exam performance. Therefore, it’s important to build a healthy lifestyle that you can maintain for longer periods without causing you a lot of stress. This may include exercise, family time, time for pursuing your interests and hobbies, and also, get enough sleep. In addition to a healthy diet, these factors will help you keep well physically and mentally and perform better on the exam!
8. Revise
The key to solving Math exams is continuous revision. After you’ve studied each relevant topic for the exam, it will only pay off if you remember the exam concepts. Often due to the pressure and nervousness, students cannot recall previously studied concepts in the exam. This is where a thorough revision plays a vital role. Note down all the important formulae and concepts on paper and go through them at least twice a day. Also, make notes for the topics that you find challenging and complicated and revise them every day to build a firm grip on them.
9. Be confident
Confidence is the key to scoring well on an exam. Especially when it comes to an exam as important as IMO Maths, constant practice and confidence play a vital role. Here are a few steps you can follow to shake off nervousness and be more confident about your preparation:
- Maintain a positive approach
- Avoid talking too much about it
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Avoid studying too much at the last moment
- Enjoy small fun breaks to give your body a break
- Meditate to improve focus and concentration
- Trust your preparation
Final Thoughts
The process of IMO preparation and appearance in the exam appearing is a learning experience rather than an outcome. This exam helps students be better at academics and gives them a chance to understand the pattern of competitive exams and how to prepare for them. This is a highly valuable skill for the future and can be utilized while appearing for college entrance exams or applying for jobs. It is also an opportunity for students to discover their strengths and weakness. The International Maths Olympiad provides analysis to each individual based on their performance. Meritorious students are then awarded. So, prepare well for your IMO. All the best.
