The yearly cycle of academic competitions has now begun: The Science Olympiad Foundation has released the SOF Exam date 2025-2026, and officially announced the level-1 dates for its major school-level Olympiads. These exams provide a valuable opportunity for students to sharpen all of their reasoning, scientific, and mathematical problem-solving skills, and explore their potential beyond regular classroom learning.
If you are preparing for the level-1 of the National Science Olympiad (NSO) or the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), it’s time to mark your calendar, plan your preparation, and gather the right study resources as well.
All that you should know about Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)
The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is a non-profit educational organisation that conducts several Olympiad exams each year for students from Classes 1 to 12 across India (and abroad in some partner schools). These exams are designed not just to test textbook knowledge, but to encourage logical thinking, analytical reasoning, and problem-solving capacity.
Among the major Olympiads conducted by SOF are:
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NSO (National Science Olympiad) – focused on science and reasoning.
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IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad) – focused on mathematics and logical reasoning.
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IEO (International English Olympiad), IGKO (International General Knowledge Olympiad), ICSO (International Computer Science Olympiad) and others.
Each of these helps students engage with subject-matter in a deeper way, develop confidence and compete at a national level.
SOF exam dates for 2025-26
The official SOF site lists the Level-1 dates for NSO and IMO for the 2025-26 session:
National Science Olympiad (NSO) 2025-26
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Date 1: 13 November 2025 (Thursday)
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Date 2: 27 November 2025 (Thursday)
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Date 3: 11 December 2025 (Thursday)
International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2025-26
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Date 1: 12 November 2025 (Wednesday)
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Date 2: 28 November 2025 (Friday)
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Date 3: 12 December 2025 (Friday)
All the Schools that are participating in SOF select one of the dates for each Olympiad; the same student may participate depending on the school schedule. It’s really very important for students and parents to confirm that which date the school has chosen for their participation.
Who can take part and how to enroll?
Eligibility
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NSO and IMO Level 1 are open to students of Classes 1-12 enrolled in a school recognized by SOF.
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Level 2 (for NSO/IMO) applies to Classes 3-12 and is for all the top performers in Level 1.
Registration
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School registration is mandatory, and the schools must register with SOF and then submit student registration forms. Individual registrations that are done outside the school channel are typically not accepted.
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Schools should submit applications well in advance, and 30 days before the chosen date is a common requirement.
Exam Format (Level 1)
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For Classes 1-4, there are around 35 multiple-choice questions, and the time is 60 minutes.
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For Classes 5-12, there are approximately 50 questions that are supposed to be done in 60 minutes.
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Papers consist of a logical reasoning section, + subject-specific section + higher-order thinking (HOTS) section.
Smart study tips for NSO and IMO
Preparation for Olympiads is different from regular board exam preparation; the focus shifts to conceptual clarity, reasoning, and practice. Here’s a structured approach:
1. Understand what’s in the syllabus first
Download the syllabus from SOF’s website for NSO and IMO. Note topics with high relevance and areas you find challenging.
2. Study from the right books
Invest in quality resources: For science students, rely on well-crafted SOF Olympiad Books that match the pattern and include logical reasoning questions. For mathematics aspirants, choose IMO Olympiad Books with ample practice and topic-wise drills.
3. Make practice a daily habit.
Set aside daily practice time. Include question sets from previous years, mock tests, and timed practice. Regular practice builds accuracy and speed.
4. Try solving papers like it’s your real exam
Use full-length mock tests under timed conditions to improve your comfort with the format and time pressure.
5. Revise your weak areas again and again
Create short notes for formulas, diagrams, key concepts. Revisit weak topics regularly and ensure mistakes are understood and not repeated.
6. Think with curiosity and logic
Olympiad questions often extend beyond textbook examples. Keep your thinking flexible and explore alternative problem-solving methods.
Read More: IMO Exam Date 2025-26 Out! Check Mathematics Olympiad Schedule Here
What makes Olympiads so valuable?
The benefits of engaging in NSO and IMO go far beyond the exam day:
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Analytical thinking: These exams push students to think and reason, not just memorize.
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Academic confidence: Performing well improves self-belief and motivates further study.
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Competitive grooming: Early exposure to exam-style questions prepares students for future scholarships and competitions.
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Recognition: Top performers receive medals, certificates, and scholarships from SOF.
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Strengthened foundation: A good Olympiad preparation helps deepen the core subjects and strengthens problem-solving ability for board exams and beyond.
Helpful books for practice
Selecting the right study resources can make a huge difference:
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SOF Olympiad Books: Designed specifically for SOF exams, these provide chapter-wise explanations, logic-based questions, practice sets, and previous years’ questions customized for NSO.
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IMO Olympiad Books: Focused on building mathematical reasoning, calculation speed, and logical clarity, these books give structured practice for IMO level questions.
Supplement these with online quizzes, flashcards, group discussions, and timed mock tests. Use mistakes from mock tests as learning opportunities rather than just evaluating your score.
Tips for teachers and parents -
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Build a routine: Encourage the student to stick to a regular study and revision schedule outside school hours.
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Support with resources: Help provide access to good books (SOF and IMO-specific) and online platforms.
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Encourage questions: Create an environment where the student asks “why” and explores rather than accepting facts passively.
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Monitor progress: Keep track of mock test scores, see where mistakes happen, and guide the student to correct them.
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Keep motivation high: Celebrate small wins, remind them about the benefit of Olympiad participation beyond just the score.
Last-minute preparation tips-
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Confirm the date your school has selected (one of the three official dates).
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Revise formulas, concepts, and reasoning techniques a day before.
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Solve at least one full mock test under timed conditions.
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Pack stationery, admit card, ID, and arrive early at the test venue.
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Get a good night’s sleep before the exam; stay calm and confident.
Conclusion
With the SOF Exam Date 2025-26 now officially published, students across India have a clear timeline to begin serious preparation. For NSO Level 1, the dates are 13 November 2025, 27 November 2025, and 11 December 2025. For IMO Level 1, the dates are 12 November 2025, 28 November 2025, and 12 December 2025. These dates are published on SOF’s official site. Now is the time to choose your study resources, follow a structured plan, and use the right tools, including dedicated SOF Olympiad Books and IMO Olympiad Books. Whether you aim for top ranking or personal improvement, what matters is consistent effort, smart strategy, and conceptual clarity.
Let the journey of preparation begin, stay curious, stay disciplined, and give your best effort. This Olympiad season is not just an exam; it’s an opportunity.
Ready to challenge yourself? Go! make it count.
