International Maths Olympiad 2026–27: SOF IMO Guide
The IMO exam 2026–27 (SOF International Mathematics Olympiad) is one of the most popular school‑level maths Olympiads for Classes 1 to 12. Every year, students search for the IMO exam date 2026, IMO Level 2 exam date, syllabus, pattern, and result updates to plan their preparation. This page gives a clear, updated overview of the SOF IMO exam—including level‑wise structure, official dates, class‑wise eligibility, exam pattern, syllabus rules, and expected result timeline—so you have everything in one reliable guide.
IMO Exam Full Form
IMO full form is International Mathematics Olympiad. On the official SOF website, it is listed as SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
Conducting Body of IMO Olympiad Exam
The IMO Olympiad covered on this page is conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). This should be stated clearly because the term IMO exam can sometimes be used in a broader sense, while this page is specifically about the SOF IMO exam.
Level-Wise Structure of SOF IMO
The official SOF IMO page states that the exam is conducted in two levels. Level 1 is for students of Classes 1 to 12, while Level 2 is for students of Classes 3 to 12 only.
IMO Exam Date 2026-27
The official SOF IMO exam date 2026-27 has already been announced. SOF states that the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) will be held on three dates, and a school can choose one date from the official options for its convenience.
IMO Olympiad Exam Date 2026
These are the official Level 1 IMO exam dates published by SOF for the 2026-27 cycle
IMO Eligibility and Level-Wise Structure 2026-27
The SOF IMO exam is open to students of Classes 1 to 12 at Level 1. The official SOF IMO overview also confirms that Level 2 is conducted only for students of Classes 3 to 12.
Class-Wise Eligibility for SOF IMO
This class-wise structure is directly stated on the official SOF IMO page and repeated in the 2026–27 SOF exam schedule.
Level 1 Structure of IMO Exam
IMO Level 1 is the entry stage of the exam and is conducted for all eligible students from Class 1 to Class 12. For the 2026–27 cycle, Level 1 has three official exam dates, but each school selects only one date for its students.
Level 2 Structure of IMO Exam
IMO Level 2 is not open to every student automatically. It is conducted only for Classes 3 to 12, and SOF has stated that the second-level exam dates for the 2026–27 cycle will be announced by December 2026, tentatively for the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of February 2027.
Qualification for IMO Level 2
SOF’s official Level 2 qualification criteria say that the following students qualify from Level 1:
the top 5% of students class-wise who appear in the 1st level exam,
the top 25 rank holders from each zone in each class,
and the class topper from each participating school where at least 10 students from a class appear and the student scores at least 50% qualifying marks.
Rank Basis for Level 2 Qualification
SOF also states that in case of a tie in Level 1 marks, section-wise priority is used to determine ranks for qualification. The official ranking page says that a student with higher total marks gets a higher rank, and if total marks are the same, higher marks in sections given higher priority are used.
IMO Exam Pattern 2026-27
The IMO exam pattern 2026-27 is divided into Level 1 and Level 2, and the structure changes by class group. The official SOF IMO pages confirm that Level 1 is for Classes 1 to 12, while Level 2 is only for Classes 3 to 12. SOF also states that the exam is designed to test mathematical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
Level 1 IMO Exam Pattern
For Level 1, the official SOF pattern page shows this class-wise structure:
Section-Wise Distribution for Level 1
The official pattern page gives the following section split for SOF IMO Level 1:
Classes 1 to 4:
Logical Reasoning: 10 questions
Mathematical Reasoning: 10 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 5 to 10:
Logical Reasoning: 15 questions
Mathematical Reasoning: 20 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 11 and 12:
Logical Reasoning: 15 questions
Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics: 20 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Marking Scheme for IMO Level 1
The marking pattern also changes by class group. For Classes 1 to 4, the first three sections carry 1 mark per question, while the Achievers Section carries 2 marks per question, making a total of 40 marks. For Classes 5 to 12, the first three sections carry 1 mark per question, while the Achievers Section carries 3 marks per question, making a total of 60 marks.
IMO Level 2 Exam Pattern
The official SOF pattern page shows a separate Level 2 structure for IMO.
Section-Wise Distribution for Level 2
According to the official SOF pattern page, the IMO Level 2 exam pattern is:
Classes 3 and 4:
Mathematics: 30 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 5 to 10:
Mathematics: 45 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 11 and 12:
Mathematics: 25 questions
Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics: 20 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
IMO Exam Duration
The official SOF IMO syllabus pages show that the exam duration is 1 hour. The class-wise syllabus pages also display the total number of questions along with the exam time.
IMO Syllabus 2026-27
The IMO syllabus 2026-27 is published class-wise by SOF for Classes 1 to 12. The official syllabus pages also clarify that Level 1 and Level 2 do not follow the same syllabus rule.
IMO Syllabus Structure at a Glance
IMO Syllabus Coverage by Class Group
IMO Syllabus Snapshot by Class
IMO Level 1 and Level 2 Syllabus Difference
IMO Result 2026
The IMO result 2026 for the 2026–27 cycle has not been released yet. As of now, the official SOF result portal is showing 2025–26 session results, not the 2026–27 IMO results. This is important to state clearly on the page so the content stays accurate and does not look misleading.
SOF’s official student information page says Olympiad results are generally declared around 6 weeks after the completion of the last leg of the exam. Some SOF exam pages also mention that results may be declared within 8 weeks. For SEO content, the safest and cleanest wording is that IMO results are usually announced around 6 to 8 weeks after the exam cycle is completed.
IMO Result Status
The SOF IMO Level 1 exam dates for 2026–27 are 23 October 2026, 26 November 2026, and 10 December 2026. Since the last Level 1 exam date falls in December 2026, the result is expected only after the exam cycle is over. SOF has not yet published a separate official result date for the 2026–27 IMO exam.
How to Check IMO Result
Students can check the IMO result through the official SOF results portal. The process is simple:
Visit the official SOF result website
Enter the required details, such as roll number
Submit the information
View the result online
SOF also states that results are shared through schools and may be sent by SMS if the student’s mobile number is available in the exam data.
IMO Answer Key and Cut Off
SOF also releases official answer keys and cut-off details. At present, the visible official answer key and cut-off pages are for the 2025–26 session. So, for this page, it is better to mention that SOF publishes these resources officially, but not to say that the IMO answer key 2026 or IMO result 2026 is already out unless the site confirms it.
Prepare for the Olympiad with Vedantu Courses
Students who want structured Olympiad preparation can also explore Vedantu’s class-wise Olympiad courses. These courses can help students build concepts, practice regularly, and prepare better for school-level Olympiad exams.
Vedantu Olympiad Courses for Students
FAQs on IMO Exam 2026-27: Date, Level 2 Exam, Syllabus, Result, Full Form and Complete Guide
1. What is SOF IMO exam?
SOF IMO exam refers to the SOF International Mathematics Olympiad, a school-level maths competition conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students from Class 1 to 12. It tests mathematical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and higher‑order thinking.
2. What is IMO exam full form?
IMO exam full form is International Mathematics Olympiad. On the official SOF website, it is listed as SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).
3. Who conducts the IMO Olympiad exam?
The IMO Olympiad discussed on this page is conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF). This is important because the term “IMO exam” can also refer to other international maths competitions, but here it specifically means the SOF IMO.
4. What is the IMO exam date 2026–27?
For the 2026–27 session, SOF has announced three Level 1 IMO exam dates:
IMO Exam Date 1: 23 October 2026
IMO Exam Date 2: 26 November 2026
IMO Exam Date 3: 10 December 2026
Each school can choose one date from these official options.
5. When is IMO exam 2026 for my school?
While SOF has fixed three national dates, each school selects only one date for conducting the IMO exam. Students should confirm the exact date with their school Olympiad coordinator instead of assuming that all schools follow the same date.
6. What is the IMO Level 2 exam date 2026–27?
SOF has stated that IMO Level 2 for the 2026–27 session will be scheduled for Classes 3 to 12 and that the dates will be announced by December 2026, tentatively on the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of February 2027. The exact date will be confirmed on the official SOF website.
7. Who is eligible for IMO Level 1?
IMO Level 1 is open to students of Classes 1 to 12 from participating schools. There is no minimum marks cutoff to appear in Level 1; eligibility is purely based on the class the student is in.
8. Who is eligible for IMO Level 2?
IMO Level 2 is conducted only for Classes 3 to 12. Students of Classes 1 and 2 appear only in Level 1 and do not have a second level.
9. How do students qualify for IMO Level 2?
According to SOF’s official criteria, the following students qualify from Level 1 to Level 2 (for each class):
The top 5% of students class‑wise who appear in the 1st level exam
The top 25 rank holders from each zone in each class
The class topper from each participating school (where at least 10 students from that class appear and the student scores 50% or more marks)
10. How are ties resolved for IMO Level 2 qualification?
If two or more students have the same total marks in Level 1, SOF uses section‑wise priority to break ties. Students with higher marks in higher‑priority sections (as defined on the official ranking page) are given the higher rank and preference for Level 2 qualification.
11. What is the IMO exam pattern for Level 1?
The Level 1 IMO exam pattern 2026–27 is:
Classes 1 to 4: 35 questions, 40 marks
Sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics, Achievers Section
Classes 5 to 10: 50 questions, 60 marks
Same section names as above
Classes 11 and 12: 50 questions, 60 marks
Sections: Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics, Everyday Mathematics, Achievers Section
12. What is the section‑wise distribution for IMO Level 1?
As per SOF pattern:
Classes 1 to 4:
Logical Reasoning: 10 questions
Mathematical Reasoning: 10 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 5 to 10:
Logical Reasoning: 15 questions
Mathematical Reasoning: 20 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 11 and 12:
Logical Reasoning: 15 questions
Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics: 20 questions
Everyday Mathematics: 10 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
13. What is the IMO Level 2 exam pattern?
SOF provides a separate Level 2 pattern:
Classes 3 and 4: 35 questions, 40 marks – Mathematics + Achievers Section
Classes 5 to 10: 50 questions, 60 marks – Mathematics + Achievers Section
Classes 11 and 12: 50 questions, 60 marks – Mathematics, Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics, Achievers Section
14. What is the section‑wise distribution for IMO Level 2?
As per the official pattern page:
Classes 3 and 4:
Mathematics: 30 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 5 to 10:
Mathematics: 45 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
Classes 11 and 12:
Mathematics: 25 questions
Mathematical Reasoning or Applied Mathematics: 20 questions
Achievers Section: 5 questions
15. What is the marking scheme for IMO Level 1?
Classes 1 to 4:
First three sections: 1 mark per question
Achievers Section: 2 marks per question
Total: 40 marks
Classes 5 to 12:
First three sections: 1 mark per question
Achievers Section: 3 marks per question
Total: 60 marks
16. What is the IMO exam syllabus 2026–27 for Level 1?
SOF publishes class‑wise IMO syllabus pages for Classes 1 to 12. For Level 1, the rule is:
60% of the questions are from the current class syllabus
40% of the questions are from the previous class syllabus
The Achievers Section is always based only on the current class syllabus.
17. How is the IMO Level 2 syllabus different from Level 1?
The key difference is in the syllabus rule:
Level 1: 60% from current class + 40% from previous class
Level 2: 100% questions from the current class syllabus only
Achievers Section (both levels): Based on the current class syllabus only.
18. Is there a fixed IMO exam syllabus for all classes?
No. The IMO syllabus is class‑specific and section‑wise. SOF provides separate syllabus pages for each class (1 to 12), covering topics in Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning / Applied Mathematics, Everyday Mathematics, and the Achievers Section according to the student’s class.
19. What is the duration of the IMO exam?
The IMO exam duration is 1 hour for both Level 1 and Level 2, as mentioned in the official SOF IMO syllabus and sample paper pages.
20. Is the IMO exam online or offline?
SOF provides OMR sheet‑based practice and instructs students to mark answers on OMR sheets during the exam. This indicates that the SOF IMO exam is conducted in an offline, OMR‑based format through participating schools.
21. What is the IMO exam result 2026 status?
For the 2026–27 session, IMO result 2026 has not been released yet. Currently, the SOF result portal displays 2025–26 session results. IMO 2026 results will be published only after the last Level 1 exam date (10 December 2026) and the exam cycle are completed.
22. When will the IMO exam result 2026 be declared?
SOF’s student information page states that Olympiad results are generally declared about 6 weeks after the completion of the last leg of the exam, and some pages mention within 8 weeks. For clarity, you can state that IMO results are usually announced around 6 to 8 weeks after the exam cycle is completed.
