How to prepare for the IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad) 2026
10 Jun 2026 · 8 min read
The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) run by SOF is the largest school maths competition in India. It rewards students who can reason, not just compute.
The paper in one table
| Section | What it tests |
|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | Patterns, series, coding–decoding, spatial puzzles |
| Mathematical Reasoning | Class syllabus applied in non-routine ways |
| Everyday Mathematics | Money, time, measurement, data in real situations |
| Achievers Section | Higher-order, multi-step problems (more marks per question) |
Question counts differ for Classes 1–4 and 5–12 and may change by year, so check the current official pattern.
Logical Reasoning
This is the most trainable section. Practise one pattern family per day: number series, letter series, odd one out, mirror/water images, paper folding. After ten of each you will recognise most structures within seconds.
Mathematical Reasoning
Work from your textbook's exercise ends, where harder questions live. Practise estimation (is the answer around 40 or 400?) and always check units. A common trap is solving what you expect the question to ask instead of what it asks.
Everyday Mathematics
Read slowly. These questions are mostly reading comprehension wrapped around two lines of arithmetic. Underline quantities, convert units first, then calculate.
Achievers Section
These carry extra marks per question but there are only a few. Attempt them last unless you are very comfortable. Even partial progress helps because you learn the style of hard questions.
Time management
- First pass: answer everything you can in under a minute.
- Second pass: return to marked questions.
- Keep five minutes at the end to re-read the Achievers section.
Practice checklist
- Take a free 20-question IMO mock for your class.
- Note accuracy per section.
- Pick the weakest section and practise it for a week.
- Take a full-length mock under exam timing and compare.