ISSO Class 9 Syllabus, Exam Pattern & Practice Tests
Everything a Class 9 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 9 exam pattern
The Class 9 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 9 syllabus 2026–27
Section-wise topics for Class 9, based on the SOF class-wise syllabus. The subject sections follow your Class 9 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: the French Revolution
- History: socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
- History: Nazism and the rise of Hitler
- History: forest society, pastoralists and colonialism
- Geography: India — size, location and physical features
- Geography: drainage, climate, vegetation and population
- Political science: what is democracy?
- Political science: constitutional design and electoral politics
- Political science: working of institutions and democratic rights
- Economics: people as resource, poverty and food security
Section 3: Achievers Section · 10 questions
Higher-order thinking questions drawn from the Class 9 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 9
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 9 — frequently asked questions
What is the ISSO Class 9 syllabus?
The ISSO Class 9 paper has 3 sections: Logical Reasoning, Social Studies, Achievers Section. The main syllabus covers History: the French Revolution, History: socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution, History: Nazism and the rise of Hitler, History: forest society, pastoralists and colonialism, Geography: India — size, location and physical features, Geography: drainage, climate, vegetation and population and more. Confirm the latest syllabus on sofworld.org.
How many questions are in the ISSO Class 9 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 9?
No. ISSO is held at a single level.
Where can I practise ISSO Class 9 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.