How to Participate in Maths Olympiad? | Mathematical Olympiad Class 8 PDF Download

What is the IMO?

The IMO, or International Mathematics Olympiad, is a yearly competition held by the Science Olympiad Foundation(SOF) for school students. It's designed to showcase their scientific knowledge and skills on a national platform. People compete to show how good they are at math by solving puzzles and using logic. It's all about having fun with numbers and problem-solving.

IMO Eligibility Criteria: 

• All students from Classes 1 to 12 are eligible for the IMO Level 1 exam.
• There are no additional eligibility criteria such as minimum marks.
• Students in Classes 1 and 2 are ranked based on their performance in Level 1 and are not required to appear for Level 2.

IMO Level 2 Exam Eligibility Criteria :
Students from Classes 3 to 12 eligible for the IMO Level 2 exam include:

• Top 5% of students in each class who appear for Level 1.
• Top 25 rank holders both class-wise and zone-wise.
• Class toppers from participating schools where a minimum of 10 students from a class appear in the exam and achieve 50% qualifying marks.

Steps to Participate in IMO

Welcoming participants from grades 1 to 12, the SOF National Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) provides an exciting opportunity for students. To join, students can follow these simple steps:

Accessing Registration Forms:

• Interested students can obtain registration forms from their respective schools, which are registered with SOF. 
• The IMO is typically organized through schools. Your school needs to register for the Olympiad with the Science Olympiad Foundation(SOF). If your school is not registered, you can encourage them to do so.
• Once your school is registered, the next step is individual registration. The school will provide details on how to register for the IMO. This may involve filling out an application form and paying the required registration fee.

Completing and Returning Forms:

• Ensure that the registration forms are filled out accurately and returned to SOF by the specified deadline. This step is crucial for securing participation in the IMO.

Roll Number Assignment:

• The school's coordinating teacher will generate students' Roll Numbers according to the given guidelines.
• A copy of the roll numbers, along with the Students' Registration Sheet (SRS) and School Registration Form (SRF), should be sent to the Foundation's office before the submission deadline.

Flexible Examination Dates:

• Students enjoy the flexibility of choosing a convenient date for the IMO Level 1 exam, which is conducted on three different dates. 
• Each date presents a unique set of questions, adding to the excitement of the competition.

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 IMO.

Registration Fee Details:

• For students in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, a nominal registration fee of Rs 125 (including GST) per student covers the cost of the examination. 
• There may be an additional charge of Rs 25 per student for incharge's honorarium, teacher remuneration, and related expenses, as decided by the schools. 
• Notably, students facing major physical disabilities or those with parents martyred during defense operations are exempt from fees.
• Students from other countries can participate by paying a registration fee of US$9, with an additional US$1, respectively.

Exam Pattern & Syllabus

Pattern

Level 1: Held in respective schools during school hours, the exam features objective-type questions. The duration is 60 minutes, with questions sourced as 60% from the current class syllabus and 40% from the previous class syllabus. For instance, the Class 8 IMO exam will include 60% questions from the Class 6 syllabus and 40% from the Class 7 syllabus.

Level 2: Conducted for students from class 3 to class 12, qualifiers are determined by the top 5% of candidates class-wise, top 25 rank holders class-wise and zone-wise, and class toppers where at least 10 students participate, scoring 50% qualifying marks. Questions in this level are solely sourced from the current class syllabus.
Note: There is no negative marking.

Syllabus

Section 1: Logical Reasoning
This section consists of questions designed to assess logical thinking and analytical skills. Topics include Series Completion and Inserting, Analogy and Classification, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense Test, Logical Venn Diagrams, Alpha-Numeric Sequence Puzzle, Mathematical Operations, Analytical Reasoning, Mirror and Water Images, Embedded Figures, Figure Formation, Paper Folding and Paper Cutting, Cubes and Dice, Dot Situation

Section 2: Mathematical Reasoning 
This section covers questions related to Rational Numbers, Squares and Square Roots, Cubes and Cube Roots, Exponents and Powers, Comparing Quantities, Algebraic Expressions, Linear Equations in One Variable, Understanding Quadrilaterals, Mensuration, Data Handling, Direct and Inverse Proportions, Factorisation, Introduction to Graphs.

Section 3: Everyday Mathematics
This section focuses on aiding students to improve their problem-solving skills concerning various Mathematical concepts. The Syllabus of this section will be based on the Syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.

Section 4: Achiever Section
This section presents challenging questions aimed at testing students' ability to apply mathematical concepts in novel and complex scenarios. The syllabus aligns with the topics covered in Section 2, focusing on higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.
Note: The IMO Class 8 exam comprises a total of 50 questions, and the duration of the exam is 1 hour.

Marking scheme 

Other SOF Olympiad Exams

• IEO – International English Olympiad
• NSO- National Science Olympiad
  
• IGKO – International General Knowledge Olympiad
• NCO – National Cyber Olympiad

Preparation Tips and Tricks

Preparation:

• Master the Basics: Make sure you really understand the basic math ideas you learn in your regular math classes. Get a good grip on numbers, how they work, basic shapes, and simple fractions.
• Explore Outside the Classroom: Stay curious about math! Look for math stuff outside of your regular lessons. Try out math games, websites, and other fun ways to learn more about math and discover cool problem-solving tricks.
• Practice Often: Keep practicing to get better at math. Solve lots of different math problems from books, worksheets, and online. Try timing yourself to work faster and more accurately, like you're in a test.
• Get Help When You Need It: If you're stuck on something, don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your teacher, a tutor, or friends. Join math clubs or study groups to learn together and share ideas with other students.

Exam Strategies:

• Keep Calm and Stay Focused: Stay relaxed and focused during the exam. Take deep breaths to calm yourself down and carefully read each question before trying to solve it.
• Manage Your Time Wisely: Divide your time well among the different parts of the exam, considering which areas you're better at and which ones you find harder. Focus more on the difficult questions but don't spend too long on any single question.
• Read Each Question Carefully: Pay close attention to how each question is worded and make sure you understand what it's asking before you start working on it. Look for clues and important words that can help you find the right answer.
• Think logically: Use your logical thinking skills to eliminate answers that are clearly wrong and narrow down your choices when you're not sure about a question. Getting rid of obviously wrong answers improves your chances of picking the correct one.
• Double-Check Your Work: Before you finish, take some time to go over your answers and make sure there are no mistakes. Check that you haven't missed any questions and that your answers are clear and correct.

Bonus Tips:

• Stay Curious: Maintain a curious attitude towards mathematics and embrace the joy of problem-solving. Explore mathematical puzzles, games, and real-life applications of math to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the subject.
• Make Learning Fun: Find enjoyable ways to engage with mathematics, such as participating in math competitions, attending math-themed events, or solving puzzles with friends and family. Incorporate hands-on activities and interactive learning experiences to make math more enjoyable and accessible.
• Believe in Yourself: Have confidence in your abilities and trust in your preparation. Believe that you have the potential to succeed in the IMO exam and approach each problem with a positive mindset.

Remember:

Getting ready for the IMO Class 8 test isn't just about getting top marks; it's also about enjoying math and improving your problem-solving abilities. Enjoy the process of learning, celebrate how far you've come, and keep yourself inspired to achieve your best in math.