Students preparing for the Olympiad exams must understand the key preparation strategies, recommended books, and exam schedules to make optimal use of their time and efforts. The SOF Olympiad exams are highly competitive and widely recognized among students across India. These exams offer students a valuable platform to showcase their academic talents across various subjects.  The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is a renowned organization that has conducted various Olympiads for students for over 26 years. This guide will walk you through exam dates, preparation strategies, and the best books to help elevate your academic journey and gain national-level recognition.

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What Are SOF Olympiads?

The SOF Olympiads are internationally acclaimed competitive exams aimed at nurturing academic talent among school students. Covering subjects like Mathematics, Science, English, General Knowledge, Computer Science, Social Studies, Commerce, and Hindi, these exams promote analytical thinking, problem-solving, and subject mastery.

Over 6.4 million students from 70+ countries participate annually, making SOF Olympiads a prestigious platform for young learners.

 ➡ Levels of SOF Olympiad 

There are two levels of the SOF Olympiad exam.

Level 1: The first round of SOF involves a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format for classes 1 to 12 depending on the subjects.

Level 2: Round two is conducted only for English, Science, and Math Olympiads. Those who qualify in the first round are eligible to appear for the second round.

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SOF Olympiad Exam Dates 2025-26

SOF officially announced dates for the 2025-26 SOF Olympiad exams.

SOF Level 1 Olympiad Exam Date Sheet: 2025-26

OLYMPIAD Subjects	DATE 1	DATE 2	DATE 3	Eligible Class
SOF International General Knowledge Olympiad (SOF IGKO)	25 September	8 October	7 November	1 to 10
SOF International English Olympiad (SOF IEO)	26 September	11 November	26 November	1 to 12
SOF National Science Olympiad (SOF NSO)	13 November	27 November	11 December	1 to 12
SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (SOF IMO)	12 November	28 November	12 December	1 to 12
SOF International Computer Science Olympiad (SOF ICSO)	24 September	9 October	22 January	1 to 10
SOF International Social Studies Olympiad (SOF ISSO)	18 September	20 November	23 January	3 to 10
SOF International Hindi Olympiad (SOF IHO)	19 September	19 November	22 January	3 to 10
SOF International Commerce Olympiad (SOF ICO)	18 September	—	7 November	11 & 12

SOF Level 2 Olympiad Exam Date Sheet: 2025-26

• Dates for the level 2 exam will be announced after the level 1.
• Level 2 exams will be held for students from 3^rd to 12^th for SOF IEO, NSO & IMO.
• SOF ISSO, IGKO, ICO, IHO & ICSO are single-level exams.

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SOF Olympiads Eligibility, Format, and Cutoffs

National Science Olympiad (SOF NSO)

• Eligibility: Students from Classes 1 to 12 are eligible.
• Cutoff Criteria: Typically, students in the top 5% of their class/zone qualify for Level 2.
• Exam Format: 35 questions for Classes 1–4; 50 questions for Classes 5–12.
• Check –  Complete NSO Syllabus (Class 1-12) – NSO Exam Pattern

International Mathematics Olympiad (SOF IMO)

• Eligibility: Open to students of Classes 1 to 12.
• Cutoff Criteria: Top 5% students or top 25 rank holders in school qualify for Level 2.
• Exam Format: Similar to NSO with mathematical reasoning and logical sections.
• Check – IMO Syllabus (Class 1-12) – IMO Exam Pattern

International English Olympiad (SOF IEO)

• Eligibility: Classes 1 to 12 can participate.
• Cutoff Criteria: Top 5% of students in each class qualify for Level 2.
• Exam Format: Focuses on vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension.
• Check – IEO Syllabus For Exams – International English Olympiad

International Commerce Olympiad (SOF ICO)

• Eligibility: Available only for Classes 11 and 12 (Commerce stream).
• Cutoff Criteria: Single level only. No Level 2.
• Exam Format: Includes commerce aptitude, accountancy, and business studies.

International General Knowledge Olympiad (SOF IGKO)

• Eligibility: Students from Classes 1 to 10.
• Cutoff Criteria: Single-level exam.
• Exam Format: Covers current affairs, life skills, and static general knowledge.
• Check – IGKO Syllabus (Class 1-10) With Exam Pattern

International Social Studies Olympiad (SOF ISSO)

• Eligibility: Open for Classes 3 to 10.
• Cutoff Criteria: Single-level exam.
• Exam Format: Includes history, civics, geography and economics.
• Check – ISSO Syllabus (Class 3-10) With Exam Pattern

International Computer Science Olympiad (SOF ICSO)

• Eligibility: For Classes 1 to 10.
• Cutoff Criteria: Single-level exam.
• Exam Format: Includes basic and applied computer science and IT skills.
• Check –  ICSO Syllabus (Class 1-10) With Exam Pattern

International Hindi Olympiad (SOF IHO)

• Eligibility: Open to Classes 3 to 10.
• Cutoff Criteria: Single-level exam.
• Exam Format: Tests grammar, comprehension and language proficiency in Hindi.

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How to Prepare for SOF Olympiad Exams 2025-26

A systematic approach and guidance are required to succeed in SOF Olympiad exams. Here is a stepwise approach for assistance:

Know the Pattern of Examination

• The SOF Olympiad examinations usually consist of 35 questions for classes 1 to 4 and 50 questions for classes 5 to 12. But it can vary according to subjects.
• The exam format consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ).
• The exam duration is 60 minutes for all the exams.

Know the Syllabus

The syllabus for the SOF Olympiad examinations corresponds with the syllabus prescribed by any of the CBSE, ICSE, or State Boards. Go through the syllabus carefully for the Olympiad and chapters of prime importance. You can also get MTG books with chapter and topic-wise concepts for Olympiad exams

Prepare a Time Table

A proper timetable helps organize your time according to your preferences. Put in more hours for the subjects and topics that you feel are tough.

Solve Previous Year Papers

Solving previous years’ question papers is one of the best ways to know about the exam format and difficulty level of the paper. Previous years’ papers for the SOF Olympiad examination are available on MTG’s official website.

Mock Tests

Mock tests are crucial in checking your preparation and confidence. Simulating the actual examination condition will enhance your speed and accuracy.

Stay Consistent

Consistency holds the key to success in the SOF Olympiad. Be sure to study regularly.

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Top Tips for Reaching SOF Olympiad Success

• Think about accuracy with speed: Olympiad exams prove your capacity to tackle problems rather than just knowledge alone. It enhances problem-solving, speed, and accuracy.
• Solving all types of problems: Never limit yourself to textbooks only. Try to attempt problems from a wide range of sources such as Olympiad-specific books, online practice tests, and reference materials. You can visit https://mtg.in/ for all types of Olympiad-related books.
• Be focused: The examination stress can ruin a calm mind, so manage your time effectively for each question and try to attempt every question.
• Revise: Revision makes the concept clearer and makes you confident.
• Keep yourself healthy: Exercise daily, sleep properly, and add more nutrition to your diet. It is all mandatory to keep your body and mind healthy, which helps to deliver the best performance.

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Best Books for SOF Olympiads Preparation

Choosing the right study material significantly changes your performance in Olympiad exams. Here’s a list of books that MTG offers with a comprehensive range for all SOF Olympiads across various subjects and classes. These books will help you ace the SOF Olympiad exams in 2025-26. To get all the top Olympiad books, visit MTG Olympiad books.

1. Olympiad Prep-Guides: Comprehensive books covering theories, examples, and exercises for subjects like Mathematics, Science, and English, tailored for levels 1 & 2 of Olympiad exams. ​

2. Olympiad Workbooks: Chapter-wise multiple-choice question banks with varying difficulty levels, including basic and achiever’s sections, to enhance reasoning and analytical skills. ​

3. Previous Years’ Papers: Collections of past 5 years’ Olympiad exam papers with solutions, aiding students in understanding exam patterns and practicing effectively. ​

4. Olympiad Skill Development Systems (OSDS): Resources aimed at enhancing specific skills required for excelling in Olympiad exams.

Why MTG’s Olympiad Books?

• Official Content Partner of SOF: MTG is recognized as the official content partner of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF), ensuring their materials are closely aligned with the actual exam patterns and syllabi.

• Comprehensive Coverage: The books provide in-depth theory, illustrative examples, and a variety of exercises, ensuring thorough preparation for both levels of Olympiad exams. ​

• Updated Content: Regular updates to the books incorporate the latest exam trends and question patterns, keeping students abreast of current requirements. ​

• Skill Enhancement: Special emphasis on developing analytical and reasoning skills through dedicated sections and workbooks, aiding in overall intellectual growth.

• Practice-Oriented Approach: Inclusion of previous years’ papers and model test papers allows students to practice extensively, building confidence and improving time management skills.

Combo Packs: MTG provides combo packs that include preparatory books for multiple Olympiads, offering a holistic approach to exam preparation. Click here for all the Olympiad combos.

Purchasing Options: MTG’s Olympiad books are available for purchase online through their official website and major e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

To Get all the textbooks, Olympiad books, and combos  MTG.in

These resources are accurately designed to align with the SOF Olympiad exam patterns, ensuring students collect quality content to enhance their preparation.

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Conclusion:

The SOF Olympiad exams provide an opportunity and allow students to stretch their academic limits. SOF Olympiad success can be achieved through solid preparation strategies and practice from some of the most well-known books such as MTG books. Consistent effort is the key factor for the best Olympiad results and have your skills recognized. To stay informed of any updates on the 2025-26 Olympiad exam, dates, and other relevant details, check the SOF Official website https://sofworld.org/. Manage your time effectively during preparation, and ensure success in the upcoming Olympiad exams. So, let’s get prepared.

Essential Preparation Blogs for SOF Olympiads

• How to Prepare for SOF ICO Olympiad Exam? ICO Preparation Tips!
• How To Prepare For International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)?
• Preparation Tips for International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO)
• How to Prepare For National Science Olympiad (NSO)?
• How to Prepare for SOF ISSO Olympiad Exam?
• Study Plan for SOF IGKO Olympiad Exam

Frequently Asked Questions About SOF Olympiad Exams (2025-26)

1. Who can participate in SOF Olympiads?

Students from Classes 1 to 12 can participate, depending on the specific Olympiad. Eligibility varies by subject; for example, SOF ICO is only for Classes 11 and 12 (Commerce), while others start from Class 1 or Class 3.

2. How many levels are there in SOF Olympiad exams?

There are two levels for SOF IEO, NSO, and IMO. The remaining Olympiads (IGKO, ICSO, ISSO, IHO, ICO) are single-level exams.

3. What is the exam pattern for SOF Olympiads?

• MCQ format

• 35 questions for Classes 1–4

• 50 questions for Classes 5–12

• Exam duration: 60 minutes

Subject-specific formats vary slightly, focusing on analytical, problem-solving, and subject-specific skills.

4. What are the SOF Olympiad exam dates for 2025-26?

Level 1 exams run between September 2025 to January 2026, with multiple date options per Olympiad. The official date sheet is available on the SOF website.

5. When will SOF Level 2 exams be conducted?

Level 2 exams are only for SOF IEO, NSO, and IMO. Dates for Level 2 will be announced after the Level 1 exams.

6. How are students selected for Level 2 exams?

Generally, the top 5% of students per class or top rank holders at the school or zone level qualify for Level 2 of IEO, NSO, and IMO.

7. Are the SOF Olympiads aligned with school syllabi?

Yes, the syllabus corresponds with CBSE, ICSE, and major state boards. MTG Olympiad books are designed to align with SOF’s syllabus structure.

8. What are the best books for SOF Olympiad preparation?

MTG Olympiad Prep-Guides, Workbooks, Previous Years’ Papers, and OSDS (Skill Development Systems) are highly recommended. MTG is the official content partner for SOF.

9. Where can I buy MTG Olympiad books?

MTG Olympiad books are available at www.mtg.in and on major e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

10. What is the eligibility for SOF NSO (Science Olympiad)?

Open to Classes 1 to 12. Top 5% performers qualify for Level 2.

11. What is the eligibility for SOF IEO (English Olympiad)?

Open to Classes 1 to 12. Top 5% of students per class qualify for Level 2.

12. Are there single-level Olympiads?

Yes, SOF IGKO, ICSO, ISSO, IHO, and ICO are single-level exams with no Level 2.

13. How should students prepare for SOF Olympiads?

• Understand the syllabus and pattern

• Use MTG’s Olympiad books

• Practice with previous years’ papers

• Take mock tests

• Stay consistent and manage time effectively

14. Where can I find previous years’ SOF Olympiad question papers?

MTG’s official website offers solved previous years’ papers for all Olympiad subjects and classes.

15. How important are mock tests for SOF Olympiads?

Mock tests simulate real exam conditions, boosting speed, accuracy, and confidence. MTG offers extensive mock test resources.

16. How can I enhance my problem-solving skills for Olympiads?

Use Olympiad-specific workbooks, MTG Skill Development Systems (OSDS), and practice a wide variety of questions beyond textbooks.

17. Why choose MTG books for SOF Olympiad preparation?

MTG is SOF’s official content partner, offering updated, syllabus-aligned, exam-relevant resources with a focus on analytical and reasoning skills.

18. Where can I get updates about SOF Olympiad dates and guidelines?

Visit the official SOF website regularly for all announcements regarding exam dates, results, and guidelines.

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