What is IEO?
The International English Olympiad, organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation, assesses students' language skills globally through grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and composition. It offers participants a chance to compete internationally, showcasing their linguistic abilities and fostering a spirit of excellence in English language learning.
IEO 2023-24 Eligibility Criteria:
Level 1 IEO Olympiad Eligibility:
- Students in grades 1 to 12 can join the competition.
- Schools must be affiliated with recognized education boards like CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards.
- The Level 1 exam happens in school during regular hours, making it easy for everyone to participate and show their English skills.
Level 2 IEO Olympiad Eligibility:
- Students from classes 3 to 12 can take the Level 1 exam.
- The Level 1 exam takes place in school during regular hours, allowing all students to participate.
- To qualify for Level 2, students must perform well in Level 1.
- Qualifiers for Level 2 include top scorers internationally, top ranks from each zone and class, and class toppers from participating schools with at least 10 students scoring 50% qualifying marks.
Steps to participate in IEO
To participate, students can adhere to these straightforward guidelines:
Accessing Registration forms:
- Interested students can apply only if their school is registered with SOF.
- This registration will provide the school, with a prospectus that contains the registration form. The coordinating In-charge teacher of the school is responsible for giving the registration forms to all the interested students.
- Schools who do not register with the SOF also get a chance to get their hands on the prospectus if they contact the SOF through phone or by email.
- The students who received the registration form are to fill the form and submit it back to the school.
Completing and Returning Forms:
- After all the students have submitted their forms to the In-charge teacher of the school, the school authority, or the In-charge teacher sends back all the forms to SOF before the due date.
- IEO exam registrations may be sent collectively for all exams at once or separately for each.
Admit Card Assignment:
- After completing the IEO exam registration process, students receive their admit cards.
- The Science Olympiad Foundation issues the IEO Level 1 admit cards to respective schools.
- School authorities are responsible for distributing the IEO exam admit cards to students.
- Admit cards contain essential details like the candidate’s name, enrollment number, and exam schedule.
- Students must bring their admit cards to the examination hall; otherwise, they won't be allowed to sit for the SOF IEO exam.
- Admit cards for IEO Level 2 exams are usually released online in the last week of January.
Registration Fee Details:
- For Indian Schools, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the registration fee for each student is INR 125 (including GST).
- For International Schools, the registration fee for each student is USD 9.
No Individual Registrations:
- It's important to note that individual student registrations are not accepted. Students should register through their respective schools to participate in the NSO.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Levels of the Olympiad:
The SOF National Science Olympiad comprises two levels:
Level 1:
- IEO Level 1 is a school-level exam conducted at the students' enrolled schools.
- The exam duration is 60 minutes (1 hour).
- It comprises objective-type questions (multiple choice questions).
- Students in classes 1 to 4 face 35 questions, while those in classes 5 to 12 answer 50 questions.
Marking Scheme:
The exam pattern and the marking scheme for Level 1 is outlined in the table below:
Level 2:
- Level 2 is for students in classes 3 to 12 who excel in Level 1 and qualify.
- Students in classes 1 and 2 are assessed based on their Level 1 score.
- Eligibility for Level 2 includes:
- Top 5% scorers in Level 1 class-wise.
- Top 25 rank holders in Level 1 class-wise and zone-wise.
- Class topper at each level, provided at least 10 students participate and the topper scores 50%.
- The question paper for classes 3 & 4 contains 35 questions, while for classes 5 - 12, it has 50 questions.
Note: There is no negative marking.
Syllabus
- Word and Structure Knowledge (Section - 1): Collocations, Spellings, Gender, Singular-Plural, One-word Substitution, Synonyms, Antonyms, Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Contractions, Articles, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Tenses, Punctuations and Jumbled words, Basic Questions, Question Tags, Proverbs, Idioms, etc.
- Reading (Section - 1): Search for and retrieve information from various text types like Stories, Anecdotes, etc., Understand information through pictures, timetable format, etc., Acquire a broad understanding of and look for specific information in short texts like messages, Invitations, etc.
- Spoken and Written Expression (Section - 1): Ability to understand situation-based variations in functions like apology, greeting, introduction, request, etc.
- Achiever Section (Section - 1): This section may contain questions that are more challenging and are designed to assess a student's deeper comprehension of scientific principles. The syllabus is as per the above three sections.
Other SOF Olympiad Exams
Benefits
The Benefits of Participating in Olympiad Exams
Olympiad competitions offer cash prizes and various other benefits to participants, which can serve as additional incentives for students to excel. Some of these benefits include:
- Cash Prizes: Winning students may receive cash rewards or scholarships as recognition for their outstanding performance in Olympiad exams. These prizes can vary in amount depending on the competition and the level of achievement.
- Scholarships: Some Olympiad organizations provide scholarships to top-performing students, which can be used to fund their further education or related academic pursuits.
- Internships and Research Opportunities: High achievers in Olympiad exams may gain access to prestigious internships or research opportunities with renowned institutions or companies, allowing them to further develop their skills and explore their interests.
- Recognition and Awards: Successful participants often receive certificates, medals, or other forms of recognition from Olympiad organizations, schools, or governments, which can enhance their academic resumes and future prospects.
- Travel Opportunities: In some cases, top-performing students may be invited to attend international Olympiad events or conferences, providing them with valuable networking opportunities and cultural experiences.
- Career Advancement: Excelling in Olympiad competitions can bolster students' resumes and academic profiles, increasing their chances of admission to prestigious universities or securing competitive jobs in their chosen fields.
- Exposure and Visibility: Winners and high achievers in Olympiad exams often receive media coverage and public recognition, which can raise their profile and open doors to further opportunities in academia, industry, or other sectors.
These benefits, along with the intellectual growth and personal development that come from participating in Olympiad competitions, make them highly rewarding experiences for students.
Preparation Tips and Tricks
Preparing for the Class 3 English Olympiad may seem difficult, but it's an exciting chance. Instead of just a test, view it as an adventure to discover the wonders of science. With enthusiasm and dedication, you can approach it successfully, enjoying the process of learning and solving problems.
To support you on this journey, we've prepared some useful tips and tricks:
Preparation:
- Master NCERT. Understand concepts thoroughly.
- Explore beyond textbooks: Dive into reference books, online resources, and science magazines for deeper insights.
- Solve past Olympiad papers and sample questions regularly to understand the exam pattern.
- Cultivate a curious mindset and passion for self-learning beyond the curriculum.
Exam Strategies:
- Stay calm and focused. Take deep breaths and read instructions carefully.
- Effective time management. Allocate time for each section based on strengths and question numbers.
- Careful reading. Analyze questions before attempting answers and identify keywords.
- Utilize the elimination technique. Eliminate wrong options if uncertain about an answer.
- Double-check. Review answers to avoid mistakes before submitting.
Bonus Tips:
- Stay curious! Experiment, ask questions, and explore the world of science.
- Make English fun by watching documentaries, participating in fairs, or reading stories.
- Believe in yourself. Have confidence in your preparation and give your best effort.
Remember:
- NOS is challenging yet rewarding; focus on learning and enjoying the journey.
- Celebrate achievements, learn from mistakes, and keep your passion for science alive.