Home » Tips to Excel in the SOF Olympiads: What Teachers and Toppers Suggest

Tips to Excel in the SOF Olympiads: What Teachers and Toppers Suggest

Update on: 20 May 2025, 05:56 PM

If you came across this blog, chances are you’re either planning to take an SOF Olympiad or you’re already deep enough into your prep mode. We’ve been there along with many of our aspirants to get how it feels which is exciting, a little nerve-wracking, but also how it can be the true instrument to draw your full  potential.

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) exams aren’t just an exam, they’re a golden opportunity to let aspirants challenge themselves, boost their confidence, and stand out academically. In this blog, we will walk you through why these exams matter, how they can truly upskill your academic progress, and most importantly, how students can prepare smartly (and stress-free) with the right tools and mindset.


Why should students take them?

Let’s be real, exams are usually the last thing on our wishlist. But SOF Olympiads are different. They’re not just about testing what you know from textbooks, they test how well you understand concepts, apply logic, and solve problems more smartly and logically.

By taking SOF Olympiads, you get a taste of competitive exams at a national and even international level. It’s like building brain muscles to think faster and sharper. Plus, the exposure and recognition you get! Yes, taking them is completely worth it.

Important – SOF Olympiad 2025-26 Exam Dates, Preparation Strategy, and More


Olympiads: More than just a Test

SOF Olympiad can be a stepping stone that can shape your entire academic journey and  here’s how:

Stronger Concepts: Olympiads don’t entirely follow a step-by-step learning style. They encourage students’ conceptual clarity. Whether it’s Mathematics, Science, English, or Reasoning, your basics will become rock-solid.

Boosted Confidence: Scoring well in Olympiads will give you an edge especially when appearing in an exam hall full of people.

Early Prep for Competitive Exams: Whether it’s JEE, NEET, or any national-level entrance exam down the line, Olympiads can be the perfect starting point to control your fear of competition.

Scholarships and Awards: Don’t forget that SOF awards every effort Olympiad aspirants put in with amazing scholarships, medals, certificates, and even cash prizes. Imagine how cool it is to be rewarded for your hard work this early!

Check out – 5 Reasons to Join MTG Olympiad Online Classes for SOF Olympiads 2025-26


How MTG  Books can be your best Friend in this Journey?

Let’s talk about prep material, because what you study does make a difference. If you’re serious about scoring well, I highly recommend MTG’s Olympiad books. Olympiad  aspirants have used them, and they proved game-changers for SOF Olympiad candidates.

Here’s how they help:

SOF Previous Years’ Papers Book: This one’s gold. Solving past papers helps you understand the pattern, difficulty level, and the kind of questions that keep recurring. Plus, you get better at time management.

MTG Workbooks for SOF Olympiads: These workbooks are designed grade-wise and subject-wise, with chapter-wise practice questions. What aspirants love is the balance of conceptual questions and HOTS (Higher Order Thinking Skills).

MTG SOF Olympiad Prep Guide Books: Think of this as your one-stop solution. It gives theory, practice questions, and mock tests which is what we call an all-in-one solution. If you want to stick to just one book initially, start with this.

And let’s not forget—the explanations and solutions in these books are student-friendly, so you don’t need a tutor; just a bit of discipline and these books.


Tips to Improve your SOF Score

Alright, now for the real deal breakers, how to get better scores. Here are some tips that worked wonders for the SOF Alumni:

Know the Syllabus & Weightage

Each Olympiad has a specific syllabus, and not all chapters carry equal weight. MTG books usually mention weightage; use that to your advantage.

Concept > Memorization

Focus on understanding basic concepts rather than jumping straight to  major concepts. Especially in Mathematics and Science Olympiads, a strong foundation is your biggest asset.

Practice Regularly, Not Randomly

Instead of cramming all prep into one week as most beginners do, set up a weekly schedule. Even 30 minutes a day is enough if you’re consistent.

Use OMR sheets during Practice

Get used to solving papers using OMR sheets, these sheets will help avoid silly mistakes during the real exam and feels more like giving a live exam.

Mock Tests = Real Prep

Taking full-length mock tests in a timed manner will help improve your answering pace, accuracy, & mental stamina.

Don’t skip the Achievers’ section

MTG books have an Achievers’ Section with tougher questions. These are crucial sections to prepare; they help you tackle the tricky parts and give you an edge.

Revise Smartly

Don’t try to relearn everything just before the exam day. Just go over your mistakes from practice papers and revise key concepts.

Stay Calm on Exam Day

Lastly, don’t panic, Olympiads are meant to be a learning experience. Stay confident, breathe, and trust your preparation strategy.


Takeaways

So, to wrap it up, preparing for SOF Olympiads doesn’t have to be stressful or boring. With the right books, MTG’s lineup is a lifesaver. With a bit of daily practice and a focused mindset, you can truly excel.

Remember, this isn’t just about winning medals, although that’s a sweet bonus in itself! It’s about developing critical thinking minds, gaining academic confidence, and preparing for bigger challenges ahead.


 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Update on: 14 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM

Wish you all a very Happy Diwali from MTG Family! Celebrate Wisdom, Wealth & Victory with MTG’s Diwali Dhamaka Deals Deepawali, the festival of lights and the symbol of victory of good over evil, is celebrated every year on the day of Amavasya in the…...

Update on: 07 Oct 2025, 11:10 AM

As the date for the SOF IMO exam approaches, it is essential to start focusing on both the mental and academic aspects of the preparation. Unlike other school assessments, IMO tests much deeper than rote learning. Logical concepts will demand deeper understanding and reasoning skills.…...

Update on: 06 Oct 2025, 11:57 AM

Welcome to the SOF International English Olympiad (IEO) 2025–26. This annual English competition, organized by the Science Olympiad Foundation, is a golden opportunity for students to sharpen their language skills and shine on a global stage. Every year, millions of students from thousands of schools…...

Update on: 06 Oct 2025, 10:30 AM

National Science Olympiad (NSO) is a school-level competitive exam organized by Science Olympiad Foundation annually for classes from 1st to 12th. This exam is conducted to test the skills, level of knowledge, and power of reasoning of a student outside of their regular school education.…...

Update on: 30 Sep 2025, 11:28 AM

The day of an exam is just as important as the preparation leading up to it. After months of studying, being organized and calm on the big day ensures you can perform your best. This is especially true for SOF Olympiads (such as the NSO,…...

Update on: 18 Sep 2025, 03:23 PM

Every year, thousands of bright students across the Globe walk into the SOF Olympiad exam. They walk confidently into their first Olympiad exam and walk out confused. Students who regularly score above 90% in school exams approach Olympiad, thinking it would be a normal exam.…...

Update on: 06 Sep 2025, 02:06 PM

The MTG Olympiad Workbooks are class-specific books designed to help students from Class 1 to 12 prepare effectively for SOF Olympiad exams such as NSO, IMO, IEO, IGKO, IHO, ICSO and ISSO. Each Olympiad Workbook is structured with basic concept explanations, solved examples, and multiple…...

Update on: 05 Sep 2025, 03:42 PM

Every student learns uniquely, and the thing that makes everyone's learning experience unique is their approach.  SOF Olympiad is about the approach of applying knowledge, thinking critically, and solving problems with confidence. For students, participating in Olympiads can be a powerful way to develop these…...

Update on: 04 Sep 2025, 05:58 PM

Olympiad Skill Development System (OSDS) by MTG is a downloadable, printable e-product for students preparing for SOF (Science Olympiad Foundation) exams—such as IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad), NSO (National Science Olympiad), IEO (International English Olympiad), ICSO (International Computer Science Olympiad) and IGKO (International General Knowledge Olympiad).…...

Update on: 19 Aug 2025, 05:20 PM

For students preparing for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) of the Science Olympiad Foundation, mensuration is usually introduced in class 6 and continues to be built upon in higher grades, such as class 8 and 10. While all formulas are important for mensuration, relying on them…...