International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO)

IMO 2026 – International Mathematical Olympiad (Complete Guide)

The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the world’s most prestigious mathematics competition for high school students. Established in 1959 and held annually, the IMO brings together the brightest young mathematical minds from over 100 countries to compete in challenging, proof-based problem-solving. The competition not only evaluates mathematical creativity and precision but also encourages international collaboration and academic excellence.

Note: There are two different Olympiads commonly referred to as “IMO”:

• SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO): Conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) for students of Classes 1 to 12. This is a school-level Olympiad with two levels of examination.
• International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO): The elite international competition for high school students, where students qualify through a rigorous national selection process (IOQM → RMO → INMO → Training Camp).

This guide covers both, with a focus on the 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) being held in Shanghai, China.

Part A: SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (SOF IMO) 2026

The SOF International Mathematics Olympiad is conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation for students from Classes 1 to 12. It tests students’ mathematical ability and potential through multiple-choice questions based on the standard school curriculum.

SOF IMO 2026 – Important Dates

SOF IMO 2026 – Class-wise Syllabus

The SOF IMO syllabus is based on the curriculum of CBSE, ICSE/ISC, and State Boards. The difficulty level increases progressively from Class 1 to Class 12.

SOF IMO 2026 – Exam Pattern

Level 1 Exam Pattern

Level 2 Exam Pattern

SOF IMO 2026 – Eligibility

• Classes: Students from Class 1 to Class 12 are eligible to participate.
• Level 1: All registered students can appear for Level 1. There is no minimum marks requirement for Level 1 participation.
• Level 2 Qualification:
  • Top 5% of candidates (class-wise) who appear in SOF IMO Level 1 at the international level.
  • Top 25 rank holders from each zone and category.
  • Class topper from each participating school where at least 10 students from a class appear and secure 50% or more qualifying marks.

Part B: International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) – 67th Edition

The 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) is the elite international mathematics competition for high school students selected through their country’s national olympiad programs. It will be held in Shanghai, China from July 10 to 20, 2026.

IMO 2026 – Overview

IMO 2026 – Full Schedule

IMO 2026 – Registration

Important: There is NO individual student registration for IMO 2026. Registration is handled exclusively by national mathematical societies and olympiad bodies.

Registration Process (for National Bodies):

• Countries/territories register as participating delegations by February 13, 2026.
• Registration of Leaders, Deputy Leaders, and Observers by March 20, 2026.
• Registration of student numbers (maximum 6 per country) by March 20, 2026.
• Final student details submission by April 29, 2026.
• Full payment of participation fees by May 29, 2026.
• Travel information submission by June 5, 2026.

For Indian students, the selection process is conducted by the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) on behalf of the National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM).

IMO 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Participants must be under 20 years of age on July 31, 2026.
• Education: Must be a high school student and not yet enrolled in any college or university.
• Nationality: Must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country they represent.
• Selection: Must be selected through the country’s official national mathematical olympiad program.
• Team Size: Each country can send a maximum of 6 students.

Indian Selection Process for IMO 2026

The Indian team for IMO 2026 is selected through a rigorous multi-stage process conducted by HBCSE:

1. Stage 1: Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM): The first-stage screening test held typically in September of the previous year. Open to students in Classes 8–12.
2. Stage 2: Regional Mathematics Olympiad (RMO): Selected students from IOQM appear for RMO, which tests deeper mathematical understanding.
3. Stage 3: Indian National Mathematical Olympiad (INMO): Top performers from RMO are invited to the national-level INMO examination.
4. Stage 4: International Mathematical Olympiad Training Camp (IMOTC): Approximately 30-35 top INMO scorers are invited to a 3-4 week training camp at HBCSE, Mumbai.
5. Stage 5: Pre-Departure Camp (PDC): The final selected team of 6 students undergoes intensive training before departure.
6. Stage 6: International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026): The Indian team participates in IMO 2026 in Shanghai, China.

IMO 2026 – Syllabus and Exam Pattern

Unlike school-level exams, the IMO does not have a prescribed syllabus. However, problems are consistently drawn from four core areas of mathematics:

• Algebra: Inequalities (AM-GM, Cauchy-Schwarz, Jensen), polynomials, functional equations, sequences and series, complex numbers.
• Number Theory: Divisibility, prime numbers, modular arithmetic, Diophantine equations, Euler’s theorem, Chinese Remainder Theorem.
• Geometry: Euclidean geometry, triangle geometry, circles, cyclic quadrilaterals, power of a point, Ceva and Menelaus theorems, geometric transformations.
• Combinatorics: Pigeonhole principle, counting methods, graph theory basics, invariants and monovariants, extremal principle.

Exam Pattern:

• The competition is held over two consecutive days.
• Each day, contestants have 4.5 hours to solve 3 problems (total 6 problems).
• Each problem is worth 7 marks, for a maximum total of 42 marks.
• No calculators are permitted.
• Solutions require rigorous written proofs, which are evaluated by international coordinators.

IMO 2026 – Preparation Tips

For SOF IMO (Classes 1–12):

• Start early: Build a strong foundation in mathematics and problem-solving skills.
• Know the syllabus: Thoroughly understand the class-wise syllabus and exam pattern.
• Practice previous years’ papers: Solve past SOF IMO papers to understand question trends, difficulty level, and time management.
• Take mock tests: Regular mock tests help build confidence and improve speed.
• Focus on logical reasoning: The Logical Reasoning section requires dedicated practice.
• Study solutions: Analyze solutions to learn better methods and shortcuts.
• Regular practice: Consistency is key – practice daily for at least 30-45 minutes.

For International IMO (Advanced Level):

• Build proof-writing skills: IMO requires rigorous written proofs. Practice writing clean, step-by-step solutions.
• Master one topic at a time: Focus on depth rather than breadth. Cover Algebra, Number Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics thoroughly.
• Create a “Mistake + Methods” notebook: Document key ideas, triggers, and examples for each concept.
• Follow a structured study plan: Dedicate 2-3 hours daily with topic-wise focus:
  • Day 1: Algebra concepts + problem set
  • Day 2: Number Theory + problem set
  • Day 3: Geometry + problem set
  • Day 4: Combinatorics + problem set
  • Day 5: Mixed practice (timed)
  • Day 6: Review and re-solve wrong problems
  • Day 7: Rest/light reading
• Use quality resources: Books like “Challenge and Thrill of Pre-College Mathematics,” “Problem-Solving Strategies” by Engel, and past IMO problems.
• Start with easy-medium problems: Build confidence with 60% easy-medium, 30% medium-hard, and 10% hard problems.
• Timed practice: After building foundations, practice with timed sessions (2 problems in 90 minutes) to simulate exam pressure.
• Full mock tests: In the final phase (last 8-10 weeks), take full 4.5-hour mock tests and review thoroughly.
• Join training programs: If selected for national camps, actively participate and learn from experienced mentors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – IMO 2026

1. What is the difference between SOF IMO and International IMO?
SOF IMO is a school-level Olympiad conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation for Classes 1–12. The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is the elite international competition for high school students selected through national olympiad programs (IOQM → RMO → INMO → Training Camp in India).

2. Can I register individually for IMO 2026?
No. Individual registration is not allowed for the International IMO. Students must qualify through their country’s national selection process. For SOF IMO, students register through their schools.

3. When and where will IMO 2026 be held?
The 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) will be held in Shanghai, China from July 10 to 20, 2026. The contest papers are on July 15 and 16, 2026.

4. What is the eligibility for IMO 2026?
Participants must be under 20 years of age on July 31, 2026, be school students (not enrolled in college), and be selected through their national olympiad program.

5. What topics are covered in IMO?
IMO problems are drawn from four core areas: Algebra, Number Theory, Geometry, and Combinatorics. The problems require proof-based solutions and creative thinking rather than rote learning.

6. How can an Indian student qualify for IMO 2026?
Indian students must clear the following stages: IOQM → RMO → INMO → IMOTC (training camp) → PDC (pre-departure camp) → final selection for IMO team.

7. How many students are in each country’s IMO team?
Each country can send a maximum of 6 students to represent them at the International Mathematical Olympiad.

8. What is the exam pattern for International IMO?
The competition consists of two papers held on consecutive days. Each paper is 4.5 hours long with 3 problems. Total problems: 6. Total marks: 42 (7 marks per problem).

9. Are calculators allowed in IMO?
No. Calculators and any electronic devices are strictly prohibited in the International Mathematical Olympiad.

10. How should a beginner start preparing for IMO?
Start with one topic at a time, build proof-writing skills, solve targeted problem sets, and gradually increase difficulty. Follow a structured study plan and use quality resources like past IMO problems and recommended books.

Important Notes and Disclaimers

• This page is updated for IMO 2026 based on information from official sources including imo-official.org, imo2026.com, and HBCSE.
• The 67th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO 2026) will be hosted by Shanghai, China.
• For SOF IMO, students should contact their schools for registration and refer to the official SOF website for updates.
• For the International IMO, students must follow the selection process conducted by their national olympiad bodies (HBCSE for India).
• All dates and schedules are subject to change. Candidates must regularly visit the official IMO website (https://imo-official.org) and their national olympiad website for the latest updates.

This page is for informational purposes only. ALLEN Overseas has verified the information from official sources. However, candidates must refer to official notifications from the respective organizing bodies for final confirmation.