International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)
The content ranges from extremely difficult algebra and pre-calculus problems to problems on branches of mathematics not conventionally covered in secondary or high school and often not at university level either, such as projective and complex geometry, functional equations, combinatorics, and well-grounded number theory, of which extensive knowledge of theorems is required. Calculus, though allowed in solutions, is never required, as there is a principle that anyone with a basic understanding of mathematics should understand the problems, even if the solutions require a great deal more knowledge. Supporters of this principle claim that this allows more universality and creates an incentive to find elegant, deceptively simple-looking problems which nevertheless require a certain level of ingenuity, often times a great deal of ingenuity to net all points for a given IMO problem.
The selection process differs by country, but it often consists of a series of tests which admit fewer students at each progressing test. Awards are given to approximately the top-scoring 50% of the individual contestants. Teams are not officially recognized—all scores are given only to individual contestants, but team scoring is unofficially compared more than individual scores. Contestants must be under the age of 20 and must not be registered at any tertiary institution. Subject to these conditions, an individual may participate any number of times in the IMO.
The International Mathematical Olympiad is one of the most prestigious mathematical competitions in the world. In January 2011, Google sponsored €1 million to the International Mathematical Olympiad organization.
We have tried to answer all the common questions which might be in minds of the participants of IMO (International Mathematical Olympiad). We have started questions from scratch such as What is IMO, Syllabus, Eligibility Criteria, Exam Pattern, Application form, Application form Fee, Admit card and Results. We have also given study material of Maths (PDF) for IMO, which is strictly according to IMO Syllabus 2022 along with Official Sample Papers released by SOF-IMO.
If any questions are haunting in your minds, feel free to contact us. We will try to resolve all queries related to IMO.
What is IMO?
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the world championship mathematics competition for high school students and is held annually in a different country.
The first IMO was held in 1959 in Romania, with 7 countries participating. It has gradually expanded to over 100 countries from 5 continents.
The IMO Board ensures that the competition takes place each year and that each host country observes the regulations and traditions of the IMO.
Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO currently has 174 member states and three associate members.
IMO Eligibility Criteria 2022
- IMO Level 1 Eligibility
- Students from class 1 -12 can apply for the Level 1 exam irrespective of their academic marks. The eligibility criterion is beneficial in increasing the participation of a large number of students. Class 1 to 12 school students pursuing education within the country or abroad can be a part of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Level 1 exam.
- IMO Level 2 Eligibility
- Only the students who performed well in the Level 1 exam get short-listed for the Level 2 exam. The following students will be eligible:
- From each class, the top 5% of students will qualify for the Level 2 exam.
- Full 25 zone wise and category wise rank holders will also be eligible.
- Class toppers from each school participating should enroll at least ten students from a class in the exam and score 50% qualifying marks.
- In case of section-wise registration, the top rank holder will be eligible for Level 2
- Only the students who performed well in the Level 1 exam get short-listed for the Level 2 exam. The following students will be eligible:
However, note that the Class 1 and 2 students don’t need to appear for the Level 2 exam. They judge the pupil’s performance based on the Level 1 exam only.
IMO Exam Pattern 2022: The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) consist of two levels:
- Level – 1
- The level 1st of the test will be organized in the participating school during the school hour.
- The duration of the examination will be 60 minutes.
- There will be 35 objective type multiple choice questions in the exam for class 1st to 4th. Students from class 5th to 12th need to answer 50 objective type multiple choice questions in the examination.
- There are separate question papers for each class.
- The questions will be asked in English language only.
Detailed Examination pattern for Class 1st to 4th
[wptb id=34360] Detailed Examination pattern for Class 5th to 12th
[wptb id=34361]
- Level 2
- The level 2 will be conducted only for the students 3rd to 12th.
- The qualifiers to 2nd round would including the following:
- At school level: topper of the class where at least 10 students from the class appear in the examination & score a minimum of 50% qualifying marks.
- At zone/ state level: Top 25 rank holders from each class and each zone.
- At international level: Class-wise top 5% of the candidates who take the 1st level of the exam internationally.
Application Form (Registration)
The details regarding the registration process of the 16th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2022 are given below:
- The students who want to participate in the 16th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) need to register through their respective schools only.
- The Science Olympiad Foundation does not accept individual registrations by the students.
- At least 10 students from a school are required in order to register for SOF IMO.
- The Principals/ teachers should know that any school can be registered as a center for 16th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Level 1. There is absolutely no fee is required from the school.
- Registration forms and prospectus will be sent by the SOF to the school.
- Students need to collect the registration form from the school and fill the details carefully.
- All the students need to submit the registration form to their school.
- Then, the school will return the duly filled and completed registration forms to the SOF before the last date.
- Please note that the incorrect or incomplete application forms will be rejected.
- The registration fee for the Indian schools is Rs.125 (including GST).
- The registration fee for International schools is USD($) 9 (including GST).
- Schools may collect an additional amount of Rs.25. USD($) 1 for International schools per student towards honorarium in charge, guide using study material supplied by SOF, remuneration to teachers for teaching and other miscellaneous expenses.
IMO Application Fee 2022
The registration fee applicable for the 16th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is as follows:
- India, Bangladesh, Bhutan & Nepal: Rs. 125/- (including GST) per student.
- Students suffering from any major physical disability: Nil
- Students whose parent was martyred during defence operations: Nil
- Fees for the students of other countries: US$9
IMO Admit Card 2022
- Admit cards for IMO 2022 exam will be issued by the Science Olympiad Foundation.
- You can download your admit card from the SOF official website.
- IMO admit card has details like your name, venue of the exam etc.
- It is a compulsory document that has to be carried to the exam center.
Follow the steps mentioned here to download the IMO Admit Cards:
- Go to sofworld.org or the window given above.
- Click On the “1st/2nd Level Admit Card” button in the sidebar as per the requirement.
- Select IMO.
- Enter the Roll Number. It should be entered as School Code-Class Code-Roll Number.
- Click “Download” & Print a copy of Admit Card.”
- Admit Card & Guidelines will be generated and shown on your screen.
The tentative schedule of the 16th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is given in the table below: [wptb id=34387]
Class 10
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 10
- Section – I (Logical Reasoning)
- Direction Sense Test,
- Mathematical Operations,
- Number Ranking & Time Sequence Test,
- Coding-Decoding,
- Distance,
- Speed,
- Time,
- General Reasoning
- Section – II (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Real Numbers
- Polynomials
- Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
- Quadratic Equations
- Arithmetic Progressions
- Triangles
- Coordinate Geometry
- Introduction to Trigonometry
- Some Applications of Trigonometry
- Circles
- Constructions
- Areas Related to Circles
- Surface Areas and Volumes
- Statistics
- Probability
- Section – III (Everyday Mathematics)
- The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section IV - (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions (HOTS) of the syllabus of Section II.
- Questions of level-I Olympiad exams will be 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class syllabus, e.g. Class-10 IMO exam will have 60% questions from class-10 syllabus and 40% questions from class 9 syllabus.
- Questions of level-II Olympiad exams will be from current class syllabus only.
- Questions in ACHIEVERS SECTION will be from current class syllabus only.
Class 9
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 9
- Section – I (Logical Reasoning)
- Mathematical Operations
- Series Completion
- Arithmetical Reasoning
- Problems on Cubes and Dice
- Number Ranking & Time
- Sequence Test
- Inserting Missing Character
- General Reasoning Based on Prescribed Syllabus
- Section – II (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Number Systems
- Polynomials
- Coordinate Geometry
- Linear Equations in Two Variables
- Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry
- Lines and Angles
- Triangles
- Quadrilaterals
- Areas of Parallelograms and Triangles
- Circles
- Constructions
- Heron’s Formula
- Surface Areas and Volumes
- Statistics
- Probability
- Section – III (Everyday Mathematics)
- The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section IV - (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions (HOTS) of the syllabus of Section II.
-
- Number Systems
- Polynomials
- Coordinate Geometry
- Linear Equations in Two Variables
- Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry
- Lines and Angles
- Triangles
- Quadrilaterals
- Areas of Parallelograms and Triangles
- Circles
- Constructions
- Heron’s Formula
- Surface Areas and Volumes
- Statistics
- Probability
Class 8
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 8
- Section – I (Logical Reasoning)
- Mathematical Operations
- Series Completion
- Direction Sense Test
- Analytical Reasoning
- Problems on Cubes and Dice
- Number Ranking and Time Sequence Test
- General Reasoning Based on Prescribed Syllabus
- Section – II (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Rational Numbers
- Squares and Square Roots
- Cubes and Cube Roots
- Exponents and Powers
- Comparing Quantities
- Algebraic Expressions and Identities
- Linear Equations in One Variable
- Understanding Quadrilaterals
- Constructions
- Mensuration
- Visualising Solid Shapes
- Data Handling
- Direct and Inverse Variations
- Factorization
- Introduction to Graphs
- Playing with Numbers
- Section – III (Everyday Mathematics)
- The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section IV - (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions (HOTS) of the syllabus of Section II.
- Rational Numbers
- Squares and Square Roots
- Cubes and Cube Roots
- Exponents and Powers
- Comparing Quantities
- Algebraic Expressions and Identities
- Linear Equations in One Variable
- Understanding Quadrilaterals
- Constructions
- Mensuration
- Visualising Solid Shapes
- Data Handling
- Direct and Inverse Variations
- Factorization
- Introduction to Graphs
- Playing with Numbers
Class 7
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 7
- Section-1 (Logical Reasoning)
- Problems Based on Figures
- Odd One Out
- Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Mirror Images
- Embedded Figures
- Patterns
- Direction Sense
- Number Ranking and Alphabetical Test
- Section-2 (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Integers
- Fractions and Decimals
- Exponents and Powers
- Algebraic Expressions
- Simple Linear Equations
- Lines and Angles
- Comparing Quantities
- The Triangle and its Properties
- Symmetry
- Congruence of Triangles
- Rational Numbers
- Perimeter and Area
- Data Handling
- Visualizing Solid Shapes
- Practical Geometry
- Section-3 (Everyday Mathematics)
- The Syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section – 4 (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2
- Integers
- Fractions and Decimals
- Practical Geometry
- Perimeter and Area
- Data Handling
- Rational Numbers
- Simple Linear Equations
- Exponents and Powers
- Algebraic Expressions
- Percentage and Its Applications
- Lines and Angles
- The Triangle and its Properties
- Congruence of Triangles
- Visualising 3D-Shapes
- Symmetry
- Circumference and Area of circles
Class 6
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 6
- Section-1 (Logical Reasoning) - Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.
- Problems Based on Figures
- Odd One Out
- Series Completion
- Coding-Decoding
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Mirror Images
- Embedded Figures
- Patterns
- Direction Sense
- Number Range
- Section-2 (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Knowing our Numbers
- Whole Numbers
- Playing with Numbers
- Basic Geometrical Ideas
- Understanding Elementary Shapes
- Integers
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Data Handling
- Mensuration
- Algebra
- Ratio and Proportion
- Symmetry
- Practical Geometry
- Section-3 (Everyday Mathematics)
- Refer to the mathematical reasoning section
- Section 4 (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
- Knowing our Numbers
- Whole Numbers
- Playing with Numbers
- Basic Geometrical Ideas
- Understanding Elementary Shapes
- Integers
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Data Handling
- Mensuration
- Algebra
- Ratio and Proportion
- Symmetry
- Practical Geometry
Class 5
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class 5
- Section – 1 : (Logical Reasoning)
- Patterns
- Analogy and Classification
- Geometrical Shapes
- Mirror and Water Images
- Direction Sense Test
- Ranking Test
- Alphabet Test
- Logical Sequence of Words
- Puzzle Test
- Coding-Decoding
- Section – 2 : (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Numerals
- Number names and Number Sense (7 and 8 digit numbers)
- Computation Operations
- Fractions and Decimals
- Measurement of Length
- Weight
- Capacity
- Time
- Temperature and Money
- Conversions
- Geometrical Shapes and Solids
- Angles
- Perimeter of Various Shapes & Area of Rectangle and Square,
- Symmetry,
- Data Handling.
- Section – 3 : (Everyday Mathematics)
- The syllabus of this section will be based on the Syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section – 4 : (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section-2.
- Number Sense
- Computation Operations
- Fractions and Decimals
- Measurements
- Angles
- Perimeter & Area
- Symmetry
- Data Handling
Class 4
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class - 4
- Section – 1 : (Logical Reasoning)
- Patterns,
- Alphabet Test
- Coding-Decoding
- Ranking Test
- Mirror Images
- Geometrical Shapes and Solids
- Embedded Figures
- Direction Sense Test
- Days and Dates & Possible Combinations
- Analogy and Classification.
- Section – 2 : (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Numerals and 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 : (Everyday Mathematics)
- The Syllabus of this section will be based on the Syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section – 4 : (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section–2
Class 3
IMO Syllabus 2022
Class - 3
- Section – 1 : (Logical Reasoning)
- Patterns
- Analogy and Classification
- Alphabet Test
- Coding-Decoding
- Ranking Test
- Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix
- Mirror Images
- Geometrical Shapes
- Embedded Figures
- Days and Dates & Possible Combinations.
- Section – 2 : (Mathematical Reasoning)
- Numerals
- Number names and Number Sense (4-digit numbers)
- Computation Operations
- Fractions
- Length
- Weight
- Capacity
- Temperature
- Time
- Money
- Geometry
- Data Handling.
- Section – 3 : (Everyday Mathematics)
- The Syllabus of this section will be based on the Syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.
- Section – 4 : (Achievers Section)
- Higher Order Thinking Questions - Syllabus as per Section – 2.
- Number Sense
- Computation Operations
- Fractions
- Money
- Length, Weight, Capacity, Time and Temperature
- Geometry
- Data Handling.