SOF ISO, IMO 2026-27 exam dates announced: offline tests from October 23

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) has announced the examination dates and details for the International Science Olympiad (ISO) 2026-27 and the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2026-27. These annual academic competitions are designed for students from Classes 1 to 12, aiming to assess their knowledge and skills in science and mathematics.

The Olympiads seek to identify and nurture academic talents, while also developing problem-solving, critical thinking, and cognitive skills among students. Both ISO and IMO Level 1 examinations will be conducted offline across multiple dates in October, November, and December 2026.

International Science Olympiad (ISO) 2026-27 Details

The ISO 2026-27 Level 1 examinations are scheduled for October 30, November 19, and December 3, 2026. The exam is open to students from Classes 1 to 12 and will be conducted in an offline mode. All questions will be Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), and the exam duration is one hour, with English as the medium of instruction.

Registration for the ISO is exclusively through schools. The syllabus for ISO includes Science, logical reasoning, and thinking skills. For Classes 1 to 10, the exam includes Logical Reasoning, while Classes 11 and 12 focus on Physics and Chemistry. ISO Level 2 is applicable for students in Classes 3 to 12. Question papers and answer keys for ISO 2026-27 will be made available after the respective examinations.

The structure of the ISO Level 1 exam varies by class group. For Classes 1 to 4, the examination consists of 35 questions carrying a total of 40 marks. For Classes 5 to 12, there are 50 questions, accounting for 60 marks. The Achievers Section questions carry higher marks.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2026-27 Schedule and Pattern

The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Level 1 exams are scheduled for October 23, November 26, and December 10, 2026. This annual competition is open to students from Classes 1 to 12. The registration fee for SOF IMO is ₹170, and schools must submit applications at least 30 days before the chosen exam date; individual applications are not accepted.

The IMO exam duration is one hour, conducted offline, and the medium of examination is English. The curriculum is designed to foster a passion for mathematics and prepare students for competitive environments. SOF has also released sample papers for the IMO 2026-27 exam to aid student preparation.

SOF IMO Level 2 is for students from Classes 3 to 12, with the top 5% of participating students from Level 1 selected for advancement. The exam pattern typically includes multiple-choice questions and problem-solving tasks. There is no negative marking for most classes in both levels of SOF IMO, though Achievers Section questions carry 3 marks each. Level 2 questions are noted to be more challenging than Level 1.

Awards and Recognition for Participants

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) will present a range of awards and scholarships to the winners of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2026-27. These awards are categorized into international, zonal, and school topper levels for students across Classes 1 to 12. Top three international rank holders are slated to receive cash awards, medals, and certificates, with similar recognition extended to zonal and school-level winners.

Plus student accolades, the SOF will also acknowledge the contributions of schools and educators. Principals and teachers connected to the winning students will be honored with appreciation certificates and gifts. This recognition aims to commend their dedication and efforts in fostering student success in the SOF IMO competition.

Further reading

• ALLEN TALLENTEX 2027 exam dates announced: offline on October 25, online on October 25, 28, 31
• ISO 2026-27 exam dates announced: Level 1 on October 30, November 19, December 3
• Andhra University postpones October 2026 exams; revised dates to be announced

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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