ISSO Class 10 Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Practice Tests
Everything a Class 10 student needs for the International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) 2026–27: the section-wise syllabus, the 55-question exam pattern, preparation tips and timed practice tests with instant results.
- Questions
- 55
- Duration
- 60 minutes
- Negative marking
- None
- Level 2
- No
ISSO Class 10 exam pattern
The Class 10 paper has 3 sections and 55 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes. There is no negative marking, and Achievers Section questions carry more marks than the rest.
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 15 |
| Social Studies | 30 |
| Achievers Section | 10 |
| Total (60 minutes) | 55 |
ISSO Class 10 syllabus 2026–27
Section-wise topics for Class 10, based on the SOF class-wise syllabus. The subject sections follow your Class 10 school curriculum.
Section 1: Logical Reasoning · 15 questions
- Verbal and non-verbal series
- Analogy and classification
- Coding–decoding
- Direction sense
- Blood relations
- Ranking and alphabet tests
- Mirror and water images
- Embedded figures
- Paper folding and cutting
- Cubes and dice
- Venn diagrams
- Puzzles and logical sequences
Section 2: Social Studies · 30 questions
- History: nationalism in Europe and in India
- History: the making of a global world
- History: the age of industrialisation and print culture
- Geography: resources, forests, wildlife and water
- Geography: agriculture, minerals and energy
- Geography: manufacturing industries and lifelines of the economy
- Political science: power sharing and federalism
- Political science: gender, religion, caste and political parties
- Political science: outcomes of democracy
- Economics: development, sectors of the economy
- Economics: money, credit and globalisation
- Economics: consumer rights
Section 3: Achievers Section · 10 questions
Higher-order thinking questions drawn from the Class 10 Social Studies syllabus. These carry more marks per question than the other sections.
The syllabus can change between years. Confirm the latest version on sofworld.org or with your school's olympiad coordinator.
How to prepare for ISSO Class 10
Practise under real timing
Take full-length papers in 60 minutes without breaks. Speed on the easy sections buys time for the Achievers questions.
Balance with board preparation
Olympiad questions reward the same concepts as your board exams. Use olympiad practice as concept revision rather than a separate subject.
Use maps and timelines
Mark places on a blank map and build a timeline for history chapters. Visual notes make geography and history questions much easier.
Read more: ISSO preparation guide: history, geography, civics and reasoning · 30-day olympiad revision plan for IMO, NSO, IEO, IGKO and ISSO
ISSO Class 10 — frequently asked questions
What is the ISSO Class 10 syllabus?
The ISSO Class 10 paper has 3 sections: Logical Reasoning, Social Studies, Achievers Section. The main syllabus covers History: nationalism in Europe and in India, History: the making of a global world, History: the age of industrialisation and print culture, Geography: resources, forests, wildlife and water, Geography: agriculture, minerals and energy, Geography: manufacturing industries and lifelines of the economy and more. Confirm the latest syllabus on sofworld.org.
How many questions are in the ISSO Class 10 exam?
55 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes: Logical Reasoning (15), Social Studies (30), Achievers Section (10).
Is there negative marking in ISSO?
No. There is no negative marking, so attempt every question. Achievers Section questions carry more marks than the other sections.
Is there a Level 2 exam for ISSO Class 10?
No. ISSO is held at a single level.
Where can I practise ISSO Class 10 questions for free?
Create a free OlympiadLive account: it includes one free full-length mock exam with instant score, rank and solutions.
When is the ISSO 2026–27 exam?
ISSO Level 1 is held on school-selected dates: Nov 30, 2026 / Jan 19, 2027. Your school chooses one of these dates — confirm with your olympiad coordinator.