English has become an effective means of communication and is widely spoken around the world. It plays a big role in how we communicate and connect with others. Whether it is academic or non-academic communication, English is everywhere. To help students become more confident and skilled in the English language, the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organises the International English Olympiad (IEO) every year to promote more confidence and skills among students. The IEO exam is conducted for candidates from Classes 1 to 12 to strengthen and test the new-age concepts of the English subject, at both national and international levels.
IEO is not just another school-level examination; it celebrates student strengths and efforts in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and general language usage through certificates, medals, cash prizes, and international rankings.
The SOF-IEO is the most renowned international-level English exam conducted for the students of classes 1-12 at par levels. Today, through this blog, we will know everything from Eligibility, Benefits, Registration, and Exam Dates to the SOF-IEO exam Pattern.
Also Read: – How to Shine in the Olympiad Exams?
What is the SOF-International English Olympiad?
The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is India’s biggest Olympiad-conducting organisation. It conducts the International English Olympiad at an international level to evaluate the students of classes 1–12 based on their knowledge and application of the English language.
Eligibility Criteria for SOF-IEO
The International English Olympiad is a level-wise talent search exam.
Level 1:
All students from classes 1–12 can appear in the Level-1 SOF-IEO exam of their respective classes. No specific eligibility criteria are required.
Level 2:
To sit for the SOF-IEO Level 2, students must meet one of the following criteria:
- The top 5% class-wise students who appeared at the national Level 1 IEO exam.
- Top 25 zonal rank holders from Level 1.
- In schools with 10 or more participants, class toppers with 50% or more marks in Level 1.
Note: Level 2 is conducted only for Classes 3–12. For Classes 1 & 2, final results are based on Level 1.
Benefits of Appearing in SOF-IEO?
English is often misunderstood as just another school subject, but its true depth goes beyond classrooms. The SOF-IEO offers multiple benefits:
- Motivation to learn grammar and language more deeply.
- Exposure to international-level competition that builds self-confidence.
- Helps students explore an interest in literature and develop a natural inclination toward English.
- Offers medals, certificates, cash prizes, and the Student Performance Report (SPR), which gives detailed insights into students’ strengths and weaknesses.
Also Read: – Why Reasoning Workbook is Important for Olympiads Preparation
Exam Dates of SOF-IEO 2025-26
SOF has released three possible dates for the IEO 2025–26 exam. Students cannot choose the date themselves; the school selects one.
| Date 1 | 26th September 2025 |
| Date 2 | 11th November 2025 |
| Date 3 | 26th November 2025 |
Must Read: – 10 Best Ways for Parents to Prepare their Young Kids for Olympiads
How can a Student Register for the SOF-IEO?
For the SOF-IEO 2025-26, students can only register in an offline mode through their respective schools. However, in case the school has not registered for the SOF Olympiad, the students can share the important information about the school on the SOF page.
The authorities at SOF will further connect with the officials of the school for registration.
Syllabus and Exam pattern of the SOF-IEO exam?
The syllabus of the IEO exam is mostly the same as the respective class-wise syllabus of ICSE/ CBSE/ IB/ and State Boards. A student with a good understanding of the core concepts of their class-wise syllabus can perform well in this International-level English Test.
Exam pattern of IEO is as follows-
- Held within school hours.
- For Classes 1–4: 35 objective questions to be solved in 60 minutes.
- For Classes 5–12: 50 objective questions to be solved in 60 minutes.
- Each class gets a separate paper in a single language.
- Three sets of question papers are used, one for each exam date.
Must Read: – Olympiad Online Classes by MTG – Prepare For Olympiad Exams With The Olympiad Experts
How can Students Prepare for SOF-IEO?
English has a vast ground for learning. The Olympiad exam questions are carved from the actual CBSE/ICSE/IB and other boards’ syllabus of respective classes. But how shall a student of a particular board participate and perform efficiently in the international-level talent test?
The answer is- “through Olympiad preparatory materials”.
Being the official academic partner of the Science Olympiad Foundation, we know that the Olympiad exams taken by the organisation prove to be beneficial to students in the long run. Keeping in mind the merits of the Olympiad exams, the Olympiad expert team at MTG creates age-appropriate and class-appropriate study materials. The study materials of the Olympiad include the Olympiad prep guide, Previous Years’ Papers, Olympiad Workbooks, and Reasoning Workbooks. A student can follow the following steps to ace the IEO -Olympiads:
1. Seek a comprehensive understanding through Olympiad Prep-Guide.
The Syllabus of the IEO exam is based on the respective class-wise syllabi of CBSE, ICSE, IB, and various other State Boards. To cover the required syllabus for students from all boards, MTG has created the Olympiad prep guide, which is based on and updated according to the latest syllabus of Olympiad exams. The latest updated edition of Olympiad Prep-Guide is a one-stop solution for students who are confused about what syllabus to prepare for in the IEO 2025 exam.
2. Take knowledge of Olympiad exam trends through previous year’s papers.
As the name suggests, Previous years’ papers are study materials that cover the previous years’ papers for the IEO exam. These study materials assist you become familiar with the IEO exam pattern during the IEO exams that have been held in previous years.
3. Hone up Olympiad skills through rigorous practice of exam-like questions from Olympiad Workbooks.
Olympiad Workbooks are fun learning tools that are updated according to the latest exam pattern and syllabus to cover chapter-wise practice questions at basic and achiever’s levels.
Through these practice workbooks, one can get a complete understanding of how the questions are asked from various chapters in the IEO exams.
Conclusion
The International English Olympiad (IEO), organised by the Science Olympiad Foundation(SOF), is an opportunity for students to enhance language proficiency, confidence, and a global competitive spirit. By participating in the IEO, students get an early command of English through a structured and efficient program. You can start with preparation materials like MTG’s workbooks, prep guides, and PYPs. Beyond rankings and rewards, the real value of the IEO exam lies in the skills you will develop. If you want to enhance your English language abilities or stand out in academic excellence, the SOF-IEO is a stepping stone towards an articulate future.
Now that the students are acquainted with all the important knowledge about the SOF- International English Olympiad, we think it is the right time to start preparing for the SOF-IEO exam. All that the students have to keep in mind is the SOF-IEO syllabus, exam pattern, and a zeal to keep learning!
“Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom.”
Must Read: – How do Olympiad Workbooks Help Students to Prepare for Olympiad Exams?
FAQs on SOF International English Olympiad
-
What is the SOF-International English Olympiad (IEO)?
An annual, school-based English competition for students in Classes 1–12, organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation to test grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and language usage. -
Who is eligible to participate in the IEO?
Every student enrolled in Classes 1 through 12 at a participating school may take the Level 1 exam without any preconditions. For Level 2 (only Classes 3–12), entry is limited to those who perform exceptionally in Level 1—specifically, the top 5% nationally, the top 25 zonal rank-holders, or, in schools with at least 10 participants, the class topper scoring 50% or more. Classes 1 and 2 conclude at Level 1, with results based solely on that exam. -
How do students register for the IEO exam?
-
Registration is handled offline through the student’s school.
-
Schools submit participant details and fees directly to SOF.
-
If a school isn’t registered, students can forward school information via the SOF website; SOF then contacts the school to complete enrollment.
-
-
What is the difference between IEO Level 1 and Level 2?
Level 1 is open to all; Level 2 is by invitation only, based on Level 1 performance (Classes 3–12). -
What is the exam pattern and duration for different classes?
-
Classes 1–4: 35 objective questions in 60 minutes
-
Classes 5–12: 50 objective questions in 60 minutes
-
Conducted during regular school hours
-
Three distinct question-paper sets (one per exam date)
-
-
When are the IEO exam dates for the 2025–26 cycle?
-
Date 1: 26 September 2025
-
Date 2: 11 November 2025
-
Date 3: 26 November 2025
Note: Schools select one date for all their students.
-
-
What benefits do students gain by appearing in the IEO?
-
Deepened understanding of grammar and vocabulary
-
Exposure to international-level competition and confidence-building
-
Access to medals, certificates, and cash prizes
-
Detailed Student Progress Report (SPR) highlighting strengths and areas to improve
-
Opportunity for national and international rankings
-
-
What is the Student Progress Report (SPR) and how is it useful?
The SPR is a personalized diagnostic report issued after the exam that breaks down a student’s performance by topic—such as grammar accuracy, reading comprehension, and vocabulary usage. It pinpoints strong areas and weaknesses, enabling targeted study. Teachers and parents can use the SPR to tailor subsequent lessons or practice sessions, ensuring the student progresses efficiently. -
Are there any fee exemptions or concessions available?
Yes. Physically disabled students and children of Indian armed-forces martyrs receive a full fee waiver. -
How can students prepare effectively for the IEO?
-
Use the Olympiad Prep Guide: Covers the latest syllabus aligned with CBSE/ICSE/IB/state boards.
-
Practice with Previous Years’ Papers: Familiarize with question-types and difficulty levels.
-
Work through Olympiad Workbooks: Chapter-wise exercises at basic and advanced levels.
-
Hone reasoning skills: Solve the dedicated Reasoning Workbook for language-based logic questions.
-
Regular mock tests: Simulate exam conditions to build speed and accuracy.
