The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) has finished conducting the Level-1 exams for its major Olympiads, including NSO, IMO, and IEO. The results for IMO, NSO and IEO are awaited. In this blog, we will try to answer the basic queries of students about the conduct of Level-2 exams. So, let’s begin with the when, where and how of Level-2 Olympiads.
All You Need to Know About SOF Level-2 Olympiad
Eligible Olympiads for SOF Level 2
SOF conducts Level-2 exams for NSO, IEO, and IMO students testing their advanced skills in Science, English, and Mathematics respectively.
When will the SOF conduct Level-2 Olympiads?
SOF has officially announced the date of the Level-2 Olympiad. The Level-2 exams for IMO, NSO and IEO are scheduled for 8th of February 2026 (All regions except Maharashtra), 15 Feb for Maharashtra, and 9 February to 27 February 2026 (Hybrid) for international schools. There is barely one month left for the Level-2 exams. Therefore, students should start preparing for the exams with the ideal study materials offered by the official academic partner of SOF – MTG. For more than two decades, MTG has been offering SOF Olympiad study materials compiled by Olympiad experts.
SOF Level 2 Olympiad Eligibile Classes
Level-2 exams are held for the NSO, IEO, and IMO students of Classes 3 to 12. There are no Level-2 exams for the students of Classes 1 and 2.
Eligibility Criteria for Level 2
Three types of students are eligible to appear for Level-2 Olympiads.
- Those among the top 5% of students from each class in Level 1.
- Top 25 rank holders from each class and zone.
- Class toppers with at least 50% marks (minimum 10 students/class required).
Level 2 IEO Exam Structure (3-12)
SOF IEO Level-2 students should have a good command of Word & Structure Knowledge specified in the Level-1 exam syllabus. The Level-2 questions become more complicated and test advanced skills besides the Reading & Achievers Section.
Must Check – SOF IEO level-2 Exam Preparation Tips
Level 2 IMO Exam Structure (3-12)
SOF IMO Level-2 students should prepare Math topics mentioned in the Level-1 exam syllabus. Apart from this, they need to have a strong command of the Achievers Section.
Must Check – Preparation Tips for Level 2 International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Exam
Level 2 NSO Exam Structure (3-12)
SOF NSO Level-2 students from Classes 3 to 10 should prepare Science topics specified in Level-1 exam syllabus. Moreover, they should give more attention to the Achievers Section. Students of Class 11 and 12 should practice all the important topics from Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology mentioned on the SOF official website in the syllabus section.
Must Check – Preparation Tips for Level 2 National Science Olympiad (NSO) Exam
Question Types for Level 2 Olympiad
SOF Level-2 questions are based on multiple choice questions (MCQs) which focus on analytical, logical reasoning, and subject knowledge.
SOF Level 2 Syllabus Coverage
SOF Level-2 syllabus is based on the respective class curriculum that includes advanced-level questions assessing student’s command of fundamentals.
Ranking Criteria for Level 2 SOF Olympiads
SOF ranking criteria for Level-2 aspirants is based on a number of factors such as:
- Marks in higher-priority sections
- Total marks in the Level 1 exam
- Marks in higher-priority sections of Level 1
- Equal rank for persistent ties
Tie-Breaker Rules in SOF Level 2 olympiads
In case there’s a tie between two or more candidates then SOF gives priority to score obtained by candidates in achievers section. If still there is a tie, then preference is given to a student with higher marks in Level-1 exam.
Exam Mode of SOF Level 2
SOF holds Level-2 exams in Pen and Paper mode at its designated physical centres under the strict supervision of schools.
SOF Level 2 Exam Date
For Domestic
- 8 February 2026: All regions except Maharashtra
- 15 February 2026: Maharashtra only
For International
- 9 February to 27 February 2026 (Hybrid)
Results for SOF Level 2 Olympiads
SOF announces the results of Level-2 exams a few weeks after the IMO, NSO, and IEO exams are over.
Awards and Recognition by SOF
SOF Olympiad winners are felicitated at International, Zonal, and School levels. At International level, they are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals. At Zonal level, students are given certificates and medals for their performance. At School level, students are given medals and participation certifications based on their performance.
Exam Fees of SOF Level 2 Olympiads
While there is a registration fee of Approximately ₹100 to ₹150 for the SOF Level-1 exam, there is no additional fee for the Level-2 exam.
Miscellaneous Info for SOF Level 2 Olympiads
There is no scope for direct participation in SOF Level-2 exams. It is conducted only for the top qualifiers of IMO, NSO, and IEO of Level-1 exams.
Essential Study Materials for Level-2 Preparation
Among a bunch of study resources available for SOF Level-2 exam preparation in the market, students should always give preference to those materials recommended by SOF. This is why MTG should be their go-to book. Let’s have a look at MTG’s most essential Level-2 exam preparation materials.
- Previous 5 years’ Instant Downloadable Level-2 Papers: This is an eBook with the previous 5 years’ question papers. Students of IMO, NSO, and IEO Level-2 exams can buy this eBook, which comprises papers from the years 2017-2019, and 2022-2023 with answer keys. These papers play an instrumental role in familiarising students with the actual pattern and difficulty level of the Level-2 exams. This helps students gain confidence and remove fear and anxiety.
- Olympiad Skill Development System (OSDS): It is a downloadable test series of 5 practice papers for Level-2 exams. Apart from this, it also comprises 5 OMR sheets and 5 answer sheets in the PDF format. OSDS helps students develop a habit of solving Level-2 questions and getting used to the difficulty level of those questions. It plays an important role in making students confident about their preparation.
- Online Mock Test: It is a set of 3 mock tests helpful in simulating an exam-like environment. It consists of the test duration and the number of questions similar to that of the actual level-2 exam. This is helpful in learning time management for the exam. It offers the most updated practice by helping the students assess their preparation for the best results. These mock tests can be attempted anytime anywhere.
- Olympiad Crash Course Live Online Classes: These are expert-led live online classes to understand the Level-2 exam pattern. The expert teachers hold years of experience in answering challenging Olympiad questions. There will be 12 live sessions comprising concept revision with practice questions. The class focuses on question-solving techniques and taking last year’s Level-2 paper. Students can ask their doubts during live sessions.
Where will the SOF conduct Level-2 Olympiads?
SOF conducts Level-2 exams in their designated centres assigned to schools. When admit cards are released, students can check the centres mentioned on their respective admit cards. Also, they are informed about their centres through a couple of other mediums such as text messages and school announcements.
How will the SOF conduct Level-2 Olympiads?
SOF conducts Level-2 Olympiads offline in pen and paper mode. SOF conducts IMO, NSO, and IEO in an interval of one hour. Students are given an OMR sheet to mark their answers.
Conclusion
Students can ensure success in SOF Level-2 Olympiad exams by keeping their fundamentals right and preparing with the right study materials.
Other Level 2 Olympiad Resources –
- 5 Mistakes to Avoid in SOF Olympiad Level 2 – IMO, NSO, IEO
- How to Prepare For SOF Level 2 Olympiads The Right Way
- Advanced Guide for SOF Level 2 Olympiad Exam Preparation
- Exam Day Guidelines for SOF Level 2 Olympiad Exams – Do’s and Don’ts
This is a very good website for information about SOF.