IMO Syllabus

The International Mathematics Olympiad syllabus is a prerequisite for all IMO aspirants. Referring to the IMO syllabus familiarizes students with the various topics covered in the exams. It gives them a headstart for their IMO preparation journey. The IMO syllabus is quite vast as it is based on different curricula followed by CBSE, ICSE/ISE and various state boards. The topics included in the syllabus are perfectly suitable for the class curriculum and understanding of the students. The latest IMO syllabus is proficiently designed to build a conceptual math learning approach. It is based on the fundamental concepts of mathematics and aims to test students’ understanding of the same. If you are an IMO aspirant looking for the International Maths Olympiad syllabus, continue reading more.

IMO Exam Syllabus and Pattern

The level-1 International Mathematics Olympiad Exam syllabus is divided into four sections-- Logical Reasoning, Mathematical Reasoning, Everyday Mathematics and Achievers Section. For classes 1 to 4, there are a total of 35 questions asked from these sections, and for classes 5 to 12, there are 50 questions. The section-wise syllabus details for each class is as follows:

i) Logical Reasoning: This section covers topics related to logic and reasoning like patterns, classifications, analogies, verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, etc.

ii) Mathematical Reasoning: This section covers math topics that can be solved using simple mathematical formulae. These topics are relevant to the student’s class.

iii) Everyday Mathematics: This section tests students’ conceptual knowledge on topics covered in mathematical reasoning.

iv) Achievers Section: This section requires deep thinking and application of one or more math concepts. Scores obtained in this section play a critical role in determining the top performers.

IMO Syllabus Classes 1 to 4

The IMO syllabus for classes 1 to 4 is developed to promote a competitive mindset in students from an early age. The common reasoning topics included in the IMO syllabus for primary classes are based on the concepts like patterns, odd one out, coding-decoding, grouping, ranking, and geometrical shapes. The section-wise detailed IMO syllabus of classes 1 to 4 is given below:

IMO Syllabus for Class 1

Section – 1:

• Analogy
• Geometrical Shapes
• Grouping
• Measuring Units
• Odd One Out
• Patterns
• Problems based on Figures
• Ranking Test
• Spatial Understanding

Section – 2:

• Addition
• Geometrical Shapes
• Lengths
• Money
• Numerals, Number names
• Number Sense (2 digit numbers)
• Patterns
• Solids
• Subtraction
• Time
• Weights and Comparisons

Section – 3: The syllabus for this section is as per the topics provided in section–2.

Section – 4: The section covers higher-order thinking questions based on the syllabus provided in section–2.

IMO Syllabus for class 2

Section – 1:

• Analogy
• Coding-Decoding
• Embedded Figures
• Grouping of Figures
• Geometrical Shapes
• Measuring Units
• Odd One Out
• Patterns
• Ranking Test 

Section – 2

• Numerals, Number Names and Number Sense (3-Digit Numbers)
• Computation Operations,
• Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Temperature, and Money,
• Lines, Shapes and Solids,
• Pictographs & Patterns.

Section – 3: The syllabus for this section is as per the topics provided in section–2.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions based on the topics incorporated in the syllabus of section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 3

Section – 1:

• Analogy and Classification
• Alphabet Test
• Coding-Decoding
• Days, Dates & Possible Combinations
• Embedded Figures
• Grouping of Figures and Figure Matrix
• Mirror Images
• Geometrical Shapes
• Patterns
• Ranking Test

Section – 2:

• Numerals
• Number names and Number Sense (4-digit numbers)
• Computation Operations
• Fractions, Length
• Weight, Capacity, Temperature, Time, Money
• Geometry
• Data Handling

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of mathematical reasoning.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions based on the topics incorporated in the syllabus of section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 4

Section – 1:

• Patterns
• Alphabet Test
• Analogy and Classification
• Coding-Decoding
• Embedded Figures
• Geometrical Shapes and Solids
• Direction Sense Test
• Days and Dates & Possible Combinations
• Mirror Images
• Ranking Test

Section – 2:

• Numerals and Number Names
• Number Sense (more than 4-digit numbers)
• Computation Operations
• Fractions
• Length, Weight, Capacity, Time and Money,
• Geometry
• Perimeter of Various Shapes
• Symmetry
• Conversions
• Data Handling

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of mathematical reasoning.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions based on the topics incorporated in the syllabus of section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for Class 5 to 12

The IMO syllabus for classes 5 to 12 is designed to test students’ verbal and non-verbal reasoning aptitude. IMO syllabus of mathematical reasoning post grade 6 takes a major leap by adding some complex topics at each level. The topics such as mensuration, ratio, proportions, linear equations, quadratic equations, probability, statistics, along with a broader knowledge of numbers, algebra, and practical geometry, form the basis of classes 5 to12 IMO syllabus. The section-wise detailed IMO syllabus of classes 5 to 12 is given below:

IMO Syllabus for class 5

Section – 1:

• Alphabet Test
• Analogy and Classification
• Coding-Decoding
• Geometrical Shapes
• Direction Sense Test
• Logical Sequence of Words
• Mirror and Water Images
• Puzzle Test
• Patterns
• Ranking Test

Section – 2:

• Numerals
• Number names and Number Sense (7 and 8 digit numbers)
• Computation Operations
• Fractions and Decimals
• Measurement of Length, Weight, Capacity, Time, Temperature and Money
• Conversions
• Geometrical Shapes and Solids
• Angles
• Perimeter of Various Shapes
• Area of Rectangle and Square
• Symmetry
• Data Handling

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be based on the topics provided for mathematical reasoning.

Section – 4: The section covers higher-order thinking questions based on the syllabus as per Section-2.

IMO Syllabus for class 6

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Knowing our Numbers 
• Whole Numbers
• Playing with Numbers
• Basic Geometrical Ideas
• Understanding Elementary Shapes
• Integers, Fractions, Decimals
• Data Handling, Mensuration, Algebra, Ratio and Proportion
• Symmetry, Practical Geometry.

Section – 3: The Syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of mathematical reasoning.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus provided in section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 7

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Integers
• Fractions and Decimals
• Exponents and Powers
• Algebraic Expressions
• Simple Linear Equations
• Lines and Angles
• Comparing Quantities
• The Triangle and its Properties, Symmetry, Congruence of Triangles
• Rational Numbers
• Perimeter and Area
• Data Handling
• Visualizing Solid Shapes
• Practical Geometry.

Section – 3: The Syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of mathematical reasoning.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus provided in section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 8

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Rational Numbers
• Squares and Square Roots
• Cubes and Cube Roots
• Exponents and Powers
• Comparing Quantities
• Algebraic Expressions and Identities
• Linear Equations in One Variable
• Understanding Quadrilaterals
• Constructions
• Mensuration
• Visualizing Solid Shapes
• Data Handling
• Direct and Inverse Variations
• Factorization
• Introduction to Graphs, Playing with Numbers

Section – 3: The Syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Mathematical Reasoning.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus provided in section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 9

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Number Systems 
• Polynomials
• Coordinate Geometry
• Linear Equations in Two Variables
• Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry
• Lines and Angles
• Triangles, Quadrilaterals
• Areas of Parallelograms and Triangles
• Circles, Constructions, Heron’s Formula, Surface Areas and Volumes
• Statistics
• Probability

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be as per the syllabus of mathematical reasoning and quantitative aptitude.

Section – 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus provided in section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 10

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Real Numbers
• Polynomials
• Pair of Linear Equations in Two Variables
• Quadratic Equations
• Arithmetic Progressions
• Coordinate Geometry
• Triangles, Circles, Constructions, Areas Related to Circles, Surface Areas and Volumes
• Introduction to Trigonometry, Some Applications of Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Probability

Section – 3: The Syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of mathematical reasoning and quantitative aptitude.

Section– 4: This section covers higher-order thinking questions as per the syllabus provided in section – 2.

IMO Syllabus for class 11

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Sets
• Relations and Functions
• Principle of Mathematical Induction
• Logarithms, Complex Numbers & Quadratic Equations 
• Linear Inequations
• Sequences and Series
• Trigonometry
• Straight Lines Conic Sections
• Permutations and Combinations
• Binomial Theorem, Statistics
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Limits and Derivatives
• Probability
• Introduction to 3-D Geometry

OR

Section – 2:

• Numbers
• Quantification
• Numerical Applications
• Sets, Relations and Functions
• Sequences and Series
• Permutations and Combinations
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Limits, Continuity and Differentiability
• Probability
• Descriptive Statistics
• Basics of Financial Mathematics
• Straight Lines Circles

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude.

Section – 4: Sets, Relations and Functions, Sequences and Series, Permutations and Combinations, Limits and Derivatives, Straight Lines, Circles, Probability.

IMO Syllabus for class 12

Section – 1: Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.

Section – 2:

• Relations and Functions 
• Inverse Trigonometric Functions
• Matrices and Determinants
• Continuity and Differentiability
• Application of Derivatives
• Integrals, Application of Integrals, Differential Equations
• Vector Algebra
• Three Dimensional Geometry, Probability, Linear Programming

OR

Section – 2: Numbers, Quantification, Numerical Applications, Solutions of Simultaneous Linear Equations, Matrices, Determinants, Application of Derivatives, Integration, Application of Integrations, Differential Equations, Probability, Inferential Statistics, Index numbers, Time-based data, Financial Mathematics, Linear Programming.

Section – 3: The syllabus of this section will be based on the syllabus of Quantitative Aptitude.

Section – 4: Matrices, Determinants, Application of Derivatives, Integration, Application of Integrations, Differential Equations, Linear Programming, Probability.

Students can download the detailed syllabus of these classes from the official website of SOF to prepare accordingly. Knowing the contents of the syllabus will also help students implement a proper learning strategy to excel in the exam.

Studying for the math olympiad will promote the logical thinking of students and will drive them towards the right career path. To get an idea about the math olympiad exam pattern download and solve the latest sample papers for classes 1-12 provided below.