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International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

The Olympiad Examination Council conducts the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) to promote mathematical excellence among students worldwide. This prestigious competition is designed for students from Grade 1 to Grade 12 and aims to develop problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

The International Mathematics Olympiad challenges students to go beyond their school syllabus and apply mathematical knowledge in creative and analytical ways. The exam includes topics such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number theory, and data interpretation, depending on the grade level. It is structured to test not just memory, but a student’s ability to think critically and solve complex problems.

Participation in the International Mathematics Olympiad helps students build a strong foundation in mathematics and prepares them for other national and international competitive exams. The Olympiad also fosters a sense of healthy competition among peers from different schools, states, and countries.

Top performers are awarded scholarship, medals, certificates, and other recognitions that boost academic profiles and encourage continued excellence in mathematics. The Olympiad Examination Council is committed to providing a fair, transparent, and challenging platform for young learners, aiming to identify and nurture the next generation of mathematical thinkers and innovators across the globe.

Eligibility: Grade I to Grade X

Examination Pattern
The question paper consists of three parts:
  • Part‑1: Mathematical Reasoning
  • Part‑2: Real Life Mathematics
  • Part‑3: Previous Grade Section
Duration: 60 minutes
Marking Scheme for Examination
Mathematical Reasoning 35 2 70
Real Life Mathematics 5 2 10
Previous Grade Section 10 2 20
Total 40 80
SYLLABUS

Numbers and Counting:
Developing a sense of numberness from 1 to 9 and zero.
Counting objects and arranging them in order.
Recognizing and writing numerals from 1 to 9.
Understanding place value (tens and ones) for numbers up to 99.
Counting objects into groups of tens and ones.
Writing numerals from 10 to 20 and 21 to 99. Comparing numbers up to 20.

Addition and Subtraction:
Adding and subtracting numbers using real objects and pictures.
Adding and subtracting numbers using symbols '+' and '-'.
Adding two single-digit numbers mentally.
Addition and subtraction within 20.
Solving word problems related to addition and subtraction.

Shapes and Space:
Identifying and describing basic 2D and 3D shapes.
Understanding spatial relationships like near/far, longer/shorter, thick / thin etc.

Measurement:
Estimating distance, weight, length, and time.
Comparing objects based on length (long/short) and weight (heavy/light).
Understanding concepts of earlier/later in relation to time

Data Handling:Collecting, representing, and interpreting simple data.
For example, evaluating the length of a book using a paper strip.

Patterns:
Recognizing and creating patterns and Extending number patterns.

Money:
Identifying common currency notes and coins and putting together small amounts of money.

Time:
Telling time and Understanding the concept of 'earlier' and 'later'.

Numbers and Counting:
Introduction to numbers up to 100, counting objects and numbers in sequence, Understanding number patterns and sequences, and Place value (tens and ones).

Addition and Subtraction:
Basic addition and subtraction facts, Word problems involving addition and subtraction, and Regrouping and carrying over (introduction).

Geometry:
Identifying and naming 2D shapes like squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Understanding spatial relationships between objects.
Recognizing and drawing straight lines (horizontal, vertical, slant).

Measurement:
Understanding and comparing lengths of objects, Understanding and comparing weights of objects, and Introduction to the concept of capacity.

Time:
Telling time using an analog clock.
Understanding the concept of days, weeks, and months.

Money:
Identifying different coins and currency notes and Basic calculations involving money.

Patterns:
Recognizing and extending patterns and creating simple patterns.

Numbers and Operations:
Numbers up to 1000.
Place value (ones, tens, hundreds).
Addition and subtraction (up to three-digit numbers).
Multiplication and division (basic facts).
Mental arithmetic.

Geometry and Spatial Understanding:
Identifying and drawing basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, and rectangle).Patterns.

Measurement:
Length (measuring using standard units).
Weight.
Volume.
Time (reading clocks and calendars).

Money:
Understanding money concepts and simple calculations.

Data Handling:
Reading and interpreting simple bar graphs and pictograms.

Numbers and Operations:
Understanding place value (hundreds, tens, and ones).
Performing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Working with larger numbers.
Solving word problems involving these operations

Geometry:
Identifying and understanding basic shapes like squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Exploring spatial relationships (top, bottom, inside, outside, etc.).
Recognizing 3D shapes like cuboids, cylinders, cones, and spheres.

Measurement:
Measuring length (using centimeters and meters), Measuring weight (using grams and kilograms), and Measuring volume (using liters and milliliters).

Fractions:
Understanding the concept of fractions (halves, quarters, etc.).
Performing simple operations with fractions.

Time:
Reading and understanding time (hours, minutes, and seconds).
Solving time-related problems.

Money:
Working with Indian currency (rupees and paise) and solving problems related to money.

Data Handling:
Collecting, representing, and interpreting data.
Using pictographs and tally marks.

Patterns:
Identifying and extending numerical and geometrical patterns.

Numbers and Operations:
Place Value: Understanding the place value of digits in numbers up to the ten thousands place.
Addition and Subtraction: Practicing addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers.
Multiplication and Division: Mastering multiplication and division facts and applying them to solve problems.
Fractions: Introducing the concept of fractions, including identifying numerators and denominators, and performing simple operations with fractions.
Decimals: An introduction to decimals and their representation.

Geometry:
Shapes and Spatial Understanding: Identifying and classifying various geometric shapes (triangles, squares, rectangles, circles, etc.).
Angles: Understanding the concept of angles and identifying different types of angles (right angle, acute angle, obtuse angle).
Symmetry: Exploring the concept of symmetry and identifying symmetrical shapes.

Measurement:
Length: Measuring length using standard units like centimeters and meters.
Weight: Measuring weight using grams and kilograms.
Volume: Understanding the concept of volume and measuring liquid volume.
Time: Reading clocks, understanding time intervals, and using calendars.
Money: Working with Indian currency and solving problems involving money.

Data Handling:
Pictographs and Bar Graphs: Learning to interpret and create pictographs and bar graphs to represent data.
Data Collection: Understanding the process of collecting and organizing data.

Patterns:
Recognizing and Creating Patterns: Identifying and creating number and shape patterns.

Problem Solving:
Applying mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems using various strategies.

Number System:
Knowing Our Numbers: Understanding large numbers, place value, using brackets, and Roman numerals.
Whole Numbers: Number line, properties of whole numbers, patterns in whole numbers, predecessor and successor.
Playing with Numbers: Factors and multiples, prime and composite numbers, divisibility rules, HCF and LCM.
Fractions: Types of fractions (proper, improper, mixed, equivalent), comparing fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions.
Decimals: Introduction to decimals, tenths and hundredths, comparing and using decimals, operations with decimals.
Integers: Introduction to integers, number line representation, addition and subtraction of integers.

Algebra:
Introduction to Algebra: Understanding variables, expressions, and equations.

Geometry:
Basic Geometrical Ideas: Points, lines, line segments, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles.
Understanding Elementary Shapes: Measuring line segments, types of angles, perpendicular lines, 2D and 3D shapes, polygons, triangles.
Symmetry: Line symmetry and reflection symmetry.
Practical Geometry: Construction of angles, line segments, circles, using geometrical instruments.

Mensuration: Perimeter and area of simple shapes.

Data Handling:
Collecting and organizing data, pictographs, and bar graphs.

Ratio and Proportion:
Introduction to ratio and proportion, unitary method.

Number System:
Integers: Understanding positive and negative numbers, their properties (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), and solving related problems.
Fractions and Decimals: Revision of fractions, multiplication and division of fractions, understanding decimals, their place value, and operations with decimals.
Rational Numbers: Introduction to rational numbers, representation on a number line, comparison,and operations.

Algebra:
Simple Equations: Setting up and solving equations, applying them to practical situations.
Algebraic Expressions: Introduction to algebraic expressions, parts of an expression, and using them.

Geometry:
Lines and Angles: Understanding different types of angles, pairs of lines, and checking for parallelism.
The Triangle and Its Properties: Medians, altitudes, exterior angles, angle sum property, special triangles (equilateral, isosceles), and the Pythagoras theorem.
Congruence of Triangles: Understanding congruence of plane figures, line segments, angles, and triangles. Criteria for congruence.
Practical Geometry: Construction of parallel lines and triangles.
Perimeter and Area: Calculating the area and circumference of circles, squares, rectangles, parallelograms, and triangles.
Symmetry: Understanding line symmetry and rotational symmetry.
Visualising Solid Shapes: Representing 3D shapes in 2D.

Data Handling:
Data Handling: Organization of data, representative values (mean, mode, median), and using bar graphs.
Chance and Probability: Introduction to probability.

Exponents and Powers:
Introduction to exponents and powers, Laws of exponents, and Expressing large numbers in standard form.

Comparing Quantities:
Ratios and proportions, percentages, and their applications.
Profit and loss, simple interest.

Number System:
Rational Numbers: Covers properties, operations, and representation on the number line.
Powers and Exponents: Deals with integers as exponents and laws of exponents.
Squares and Square Roots, Cubes and Cube Roots: Includes methods for finding square and cube roots.
Playing with Numbers: Focuses on understanding number patterns and divisibility rules.

Algebra:
Algebraic Expressions and Identities: Introduces variables, terms, polynomials, and algebraic identities.
Linear Equations in One Variable: Covers solving equations with one variable, including those with variables on both sides.

Geometry:
Understanding Quadrilaterals: Explores different types of quadrilaterals, their properties, and angle sum properties.
Mensuration: Deals with area and perimeter of various shapes like squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Visualizing Solid Shapes: Focuses on understanding and representing 3D shapes in 2D.

Data Handling:
Data Handling: Covers pie charts, bar graphs, histograms, and probability.

Ratio and Proportion:
Direct and Inverse Proportions: Explores the concepts of direct and inverse variation.

Factorization:
Factorization: Introduces the concept of factorization and techniques for factoring expressions.

Introduction to Graphs:
Introduction to Graphs: Covers basic concepts of graphing and plotting points.

Number Systems: real numbers.

Algebra:polynomials and linear equations in two variables.

Coordinate Geometry:Introduction to Coordinate Geometry.

Geometry:
Introduction to Euclid's Geometry
Lines and Angles
Triangles
Quadrilaterals
Circles
Constructions

Mensuration: areas and surface areas and volumes.

Statistics and Probability: statistics and probability.

Number Systems:
Real Numbers: Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, proofs of irrationality of √2, √3, √5.

Algebra:
Polynomials: Zeros of a polynomial, relationship between zeros and coefficients of quadratic polynomials.
Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables: Graphical method of solution, consistency/inconsistency, algebraic solutions (substitution, elimination).
Quadratic Equations: Solutions by factorization, completing the square.
Arithmetic Progressions: General term, sum of first n terms.

Coordinate Geometry:
Distance formula, section formula, area of a triangle.

Geometry:
Triangles: Similarity of triangles, Pythagoras theorem.
Circles: Tangents to a circle, tangents from a point.
Constructions: Division of a line segment, tangents to a circle.

Trigonometry:
Introduction to Trigonometry: Trigonometric ratios, values for specific angles, trigonometric identities.
Some Applications of Trigonometry: Heights and distances.

Mensuration:
Areas Related to Circles: Perimeter and area of a circle, area of sector and segment.
Surface Areas and Volumes: Surface areas and volumes of combinations of solids.

Statistics and Probability:
Statistics: Mean, median, mode.
Probability.