How to register for SOF olympiads: a step-by-step guide for parents

Registration for the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) olympiads — IMO, NSO, IEO, IGKO and ISSO — confuses many families, mainly because it usually happens through the school rather than directly. This guide walks through the process and the questions worth asking.

Step 1: Find out whether your school participates

Most students register through their school. Each participating school has an olympiad coordinator, often a teacher who collects registrations and fees and later distributes admit cards and results.

Ask your child's class teacher or the school office:

• Does the school participate in SOF olympiads this year?
• Which olympiads does it offer? Not every school offers all five.
• Who is the olympiad coordinator, and what is the last date to register?

If your school does not participate, check sofworld.org for current options. SOF has offered ways for students of non-participating schools to take part in some years, but the process and availability change, so confirm directly.

Step 2: Choose which olympiads to take

Students can take as many olympiads as they like because each is held on a different date. A sensible approach:

• First olympiad: pick the subject your child enjoys most. Confidence matters more than coverage in the first year.
• Second year onwards: add one or two more. IMO (Maths) and NSO (Science) are the most widely taken; IEO (English) pairs well with either.
• Classes 11–12: IGKO and ISSO are open only up to Class 10, so the choice is IMO, NSO and IEO.

The olympiads by class pages compare every olympiad available to a class, with question counts and dates.

Step 3: Register before the deadline

Registration deadlines usually fall a few weeks before the first Level 1 date. Schools often set an internal deadline even earlier so they can send the list on time. The tentative windows for this session are on the exam dates page.

When you register, check that:

1. Your child's name is spelt exactly as it should appear on certificates.
2. The class and section are correct, because results and ranks are calculated per class.
3. You know which of the Level 1 dates your school has chosen. SOF offers several dates, and each school picks one.

Step 4: After registration

Before the exam, the school typically shares a roll number or admit card. Keep a photo of it, as you will need the roll number to check results online.

On exam day the paper is taken at school (or the centre the school arranges) in the normal OMR or school-specified format. Results are usually released a couple of months later and are shared through the school and on the SOF website.

What does it cost?

The registration fee is set by SOF and collected by the school, sometimes with a small additional school charge for administration. Fees change between years, so ask your coordinator for the current amount.

Making the most of the weeks before the exam

Registration usually closes four to eight weeks before the exam, which is enough time for focused preparation:

• Read the class-wise syllabus for your olympiad, for example the IMO syllabus by class.
• Take a timed practice test early to find weak areas. The free mock tests need no login.
• Follow a short revision plan such as our 30-day olympiad revision plan.

Quick checklist

• Confirm the school participates and which olympiads it offers
• Note the coordinator's name and the school's internal deadline
• Choose olympiads and register with the correct name and class
• Note the Level 1 date the school has chosen
• Save the roll number or admit card
• Start timed practice at least four weeks before the exam