How to Participate in Cyber Olympiad | Cyber Olympiad for Class 9 PDF Download

What is NCO?

The National Cyber Olympiad (NCO) is an exciting competition arranged by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students from grades 1 to 10. It's all about learning numbers and logical skills while having fun. The competition gives students a chance to grow their confidence and become better at building logics and have a good understanding of solving hard and complex problems.

NCO 2023-24 Eligibility Criteria: 

• The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) mandates that schools register their students for participation.
• Schools not yet registered can complete the registration process by sending an email to the SOF.
• Eligibility for the NCO is limited to pupils in grades 1 through 10.
• Application forms must be completed and submitted solely through the student's respective school; individual applications are not accepted by the Science Olympiad Foundation.
• Computer Science is compulsory subjects for all students intending to participate. 
• Participation in the examination is restricted to students from recognized boards such as CBSE, ICSE, and state boards.

Steps to participate in NCO

To take part, students simply need to follow these simple instructions:

Accessing Registration forms:

• Students in classes 1 to 10 are eligible to participate in the SOF NCO.
• Registration forms are given to all the schools that are already part of SOF.
• Schools not yet registered can request prospectuses by emailing info@sofworld.org or making a phone call.

Completing and Returning Forms:

• After all the students have submitted their forms, schools are required to return the registration forms to SOF, completely filled out and in good order, by the specified deadline.

Roll Numbers:

• The school's coordinating teacher is responsible for completing the School Registration Form (SRF) and Students' Registration Sheet (SRS) following the provided guidelines.
• These forms should be sent to SOF's office before the designated submission deadline.
• Upon receipt of the Students' Registration Sheet (SRS) from the school, SOF will register the school and students.
• SOF will then generate roll numbers for all participating students.

Registration Fee Details:

• Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, & Nepal pay a registration fee of Rs 125* (including GST) per student/Olympiad to SOF for the examination.
• An extra charge of Rs 25** per student may be added by schools for in-charge honorarium, teacher remuneration, and other expenses.
• For countries outside India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, & Nepal, the registration fee is US$9 per student/Olympiad*, with an additional US$1** per student for related expenses.
• *Includes GST.
• **Additional charge for related expenses.

Fee Exemption: 

• Students with major physical disabilities or Indian students whose parent was martyred during defense operations are exempt from fees.

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 NCO.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Pattern:

• The NCO exam comprises three stages for students.
• Section I covers Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning for grades 1 to 5.
• Section II focuses on Computers & IT  related knowledge.
• Section III emphasizes on Achiever's Section(high order thinking skills) questions based on section 2.
• The question paper includes 35 objective-type questions for Classes 1 to 4 and 50 for Classes 5 to 10.
• Duration: Students have 60 minutes to complete it.

Marking Scheme:

The exam pattern and the marking scheme has been outlined in the table below:

Note: There is no negative marking. 

Syllabus:

• Logical Reasoning (Section - 1):  Series Completion and Inserting, Analogy and Classification, Coding-Decoding , Blood Relations, Direction Sense Test, Logical Venn Diagrams, Alpha-Numeric Sequence Puzzle, Mathematical Operations, Mirror and Water Images, Paper Folding and Paper Cutting, Cubes and Dice, Dot Situation, Essential Element,  Embedded Figure,  Odd One Out, Patterns.
  
• Computers & IT Section (Section - 2): Algorithms and Flowcharts in Programming, Number System (Binary to decimal and decimal to binary conversion), Visual Basic, Animations, HTML & CSS (Links, Anchors and Table tags), MS-Word, MS-Excel(Formula Auditing, Data Tools, Protecting and Sharing workbooks/worksheets, Working with cell range), MS-PowerPoint,

  Hardware, Software, Input & Output Devices, Memory & Storage Devices, Flash CS6, Multimedia, Networking, Cyber Safety, Operating Systems (Types-Interactive (GUI based), Real Time and Distributed, Commonly used OS), Using Windows 10, Introduction to Scratch, Introduction to Python 3.11 (as of December 2022).

• Achiever's Section (Section 3): 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 Section – 2 .

Benefits

1. Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Participants develop strong analytical and logical reasoning abilities. These skills are beneficial across various academic disciplines, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
2. Advanced Knowledge: Preparation for computer olympiads often involves learning advanced algorithms, data structures, and programming techniques not typically covered in standard curricula.
3. Improved Academic Performance: The discipline and study habits developed during preparation can translate to better performance in school subjects, particularly in mathematics and computer science.
4. Preparation for Higher Education: Participation in Olympiads can be a valuable experience for students planning to pursue STEM fields in college, providing them with a strong foundation in advanced mathematics.
5. Networking Opportunities: Olympiads often bring together like-minded students, allowing participants to network with peers, mentors, and professionals in the field of mathematics.
6. International Exposure: Many Olympiads, such as the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), provide opportunities for international travel and cultural exchange, broadening students' horizons.
7. Improved Self-Confidence: Successfully solving challenging problems and competing in Olympiads can boost a student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities and overall academic skills.
8. Enhanced Time Management: Preparing for Olympiads requires effective time management and organizational skills, which are beneficial in all areas of life.

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 9 Cyber Olympiad may seem difficult, but it's an exciting chance. Instead of just a test, view it as an adventure to discover the world of numbers and logic. 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:

• Understand the syllabus thoroughly and plan to cover topics each day.
• Choose a consistent time and place for studying to maintain regularity.
• Focus on learning with a clear conceptual understanding.
• Take notes while studying, highlighting key points and important topics for easier revision.
• After completing the syllabus, practice chapter-wise questions and mock tests to identify strengths and weaknesses and improve accordingly.
• Once confident with the syllabus, solve previous year's question papers to understand the exam pattern, enhance time management skills, and improve speed and accuracy.

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 numbers and logic.
• Make Mathematics fun by using digital whiteboards and interactive problem-solving platforms, calculating distances, travel time, and costs for trips.
• Believe in yourself. Have confidence in your preparation and give your best effort.

Remember:

• NCO is challenging yet rewarding; focus on learning and enjoying the journey.
• Celebrate achievements, learn from mistakes, and keep your passion alive.