Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) 2025: Exams, Results, Tips

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is a globally recognized organization dedicated to promoting science, mathematics, computer education, and English among school students. Since its inception in 1998, the SOF has been conducting some of the most prestigious academic competitions worldwide, including the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)National Science Olympiad (NSO), and International English Olympiad (IEO). More than 10 million students from over 70 countries participate annually, making SOF one of the largest Olympiad organizations in the world.

Whether you’re a student looking to participate, a parent seeking guidance, or a teacher preparing your students, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Science Olympiad Foundation in 2025. We’ll cover registration, exam dates, result announcements, tips for high ranks, and more!



1. What is the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)?

Science Olympiad Foundation

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) is a non-profit organization headquartered in New Delhi, India, that organizes competitive academic exams for students from Class 1 to 12. The primary aim of the foundation is to foster a love for science, mathematics, computer education, and English by providing students with a platform to benchmark their academic performance at the school, zonal, and international levels.

SOF Olympiads are designed to challenge students’ problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, and subject knowledge. The exams are structured to encourage analytical thinking and prepare students for future competitive exams like IIT-JEE, NEET, and others.

Key Olympiads conducted by Science Olympiad Foundation:

  • International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)
  • National Science Olympiad (NSO)
  • International English Olympiad (IEO)
  • National Cyber Olympiad (NCO)
  • International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO)

For more information about SOF, you can visit their official website.


2. Key Olympiads Conducted by SOF in 2025

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

The IMO focuses on enhancing mathematical skills and logical reasoning among students from grades 1 to 12. It is conducted in two levels, with the Level 1 exam being held at the school level and Level 2 for high performers of Level 1.

National Science Olympiad (NSO)

The NSO is aimed at promoting scientific reasoning and knowledge in students. Like IMO, NSO also has two levels of exams. Students who qualify for Level 2 get a chance to compete nationally for prizes and scholarships.

International English Olympiad (IEO)

The IEO tests students’ proficiency in the English language, focusing on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. IEO has gained immense popularity, with a large number of international participants.

Other Olympiads Include:

  • National Cyber Olympiad (NCO): Focuses on computer and IT skills.
  • International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO): Tests students’ knowledge in current affairs, history, and general awareness.

3. How to Register for SOF Olympiads in 2025

Registration for Science Olympiad Foundation Olympiads is a straightforward process. Students can register through their schools or individually through the official SOF website.

How to Register Through Schools:

  • Schools that are registered with Science Olympiad Foundation can directly enroll their students for any Olympiad.
  • Schools can collect the registration fee, typically around INR 150 per student per exam, and submit it to SOF.
  • The school coordinator is responsible for sending the filled registration forms to the SOF office.

How to Register Individually:

  • Students whose schools are not registered with SOF can still register individually.
  • Visit the SOF registration page and fill out the required details.
  • Pay the registration fee online using a debit/credit card or net banking.

Registration Deadlines for 2025:

  • IMO: Last date for registration is August 31, 2025.
  • NSO: Last date is September 30, 2025.
  • IEO: Registration closes on October 15, 2025.

4. Science Olympiad Foundation Exam Dates and Schedule for 2025

Below is the tentative schedule for the Science Olympiad Foundation Olympiads in 2025. Please note that these dates are subject to change, so always verify on the official SOF website.

OlympiadLevel 1 Exam DateLevel 2 Exam Date
IMONovember 2025February 2026
NSODecember 2025February 2026
IEOOctober 2025January 2026
NCOJanuary 2026Not applicable
IGKOSeptember 2025Not applicable

To download your admit card, click here.


5. How to Check SOF Results for IMO, NSO, and IEO 2024-25

Once the exams are conducted, the results are declared on the official Science Olympiad Foundation website within 6-8 weeks. Here’s how you can check your results:

  1. Visit the SOF Results Page.
  2. Select the Olympiad (IMO, NSO, or IEO) for which you want to check the result.
  3. Enter your roll number in the format YourSchoolCode-Class-Section-RollNo (e.g., DL003-05-B-001).
  4. Click on “View Results.”

Results will display your score, percentile, zonal rank, and international rank. You can also download your scorecard from the same page.


6. SOF IMO 2024-25 Results: Expected Dates and Details

The Science Olympiad Foundation IMO 2024-25 results are expected to be released in January 2025 for Level 1. Students who score above the cut-off will qualify for Level 2, which will be held in February 2025.

How is the IMO result structured?

  • Scorecard: Displays your marks and percentile.
  • Zonal Rank: Your rank within your zone (India is divided into 22 zones).
  • International Rank: Your rank among all international participants.
  • Medals and Certificates: Students securing top ranks receive medals and certificates.

To check your IMO results, visit the SOF IMO Results Page.


7. SOF NSO 2024-25 Results: How to Check and Download

The Science Olympiad Foundation 2024-25 results are expected to be announced in February 2025. Students can check their results by following the steps mentioned in section 5.

NSO Results Breakdown:

  • Level 1 Results: Include marks, percentile, zonal rank, and international rank.
  • Level 2 Exam: Those who qualify for Level 2 will be notified via email and the SOF website.

8. Science Olympiad Foundation IEO 2024-25 Results: What to Expect

The International English Olympiad (IEO) 2024-25 results will be announced in December 2024. Just like IMO and NSO, these results will be available on the SOF official website. The IEO exam evaluates students’ proficiency in English grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Here’s What You Can Expect:

  • Scorecard: Your detailed score in each section of the exam.
  • Zonal Rank: Your rank within your zone or state.
  • International Rank: A comparison among all global participants.
  • Certificates and Medals: Top performers receive medals and certificates of merit.

To check the IEO results, students can follow the same steps as mentioned earlier by visiting the SOF IEO Results Page.


9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOF

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions related to the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) and its Olympiads:

  1. Which Olympiad is best for science?
    • The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is the best option for students passionate about science. It tests conceptual knowledge, analytical skills, and practical applications of scientific principles.
  2. Who is eligible for science Olympiad?
    • Students from Class 1 to Class 12 are eligible to participate in SOF Olympiads. Different Olympiads have different eligibility criteria, but generally, all students can participate regardless of their academic performance in school.
  3. What is the prize in science Olympiad?
    • SOF offers cash awards, scholarships, medals, and certificates to top performers. The exact prize depends on the student’s rank at the school, zonal, and international levels.
  4. How to get 1st rank in Olympiad?
    • To achieve the 1st rank, focus on the following:
      • Thoroughly cover the syllabus.
      • Solve previous year’s question papers.
      • Take mock tests.
      • Manage time effectively during the exam.
      • Focus on concept clarity rather than rote learning.
  5. Do Olympiad winners get money?
    • Yes, SOF provides cash prizes to top international and zonal rank holders. The prize money can range from INR 5,000 to INR 50,000 depending on the rank and Olympiad.
  6. Who got the first rank in NSO?
    • Every year, SOF announces the names of top rankers on their official website. You can check the SOF NSO Top Rankers List for the most recent updates.
  7. Is NSO level 2 difficult?
    • Level 2 of Science Olympiad Foundation is more challenging than Level 1. It focuses more on higher-order thinking questions, and students must have a deep understanding of concepts to excel.
  8. Which is the hardest Olympiad?
    • Although all SOF Olympiads are competitive, the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is often considered one of the toughest because of the complex problem-solving and logical reasoning questions.

10. Tips for Achieving Top Ranks in SOF Olympiads

Achieving a top rank in Science Olympiad Foundation Olympiads requires a combination of hard work, smart study strategies, and consistent practice. Here are some practical tips to help you secure a high rank:

1. Understand the Syllabus

  • Before you start preparing, make sure you know the entire syllabus for your class and the specific Olympiad. Each Olympiad (IMO, NSO, IEO, NCO) has a different syllabus that aligns with school curriculums but also includes higher-level questions.
  • You can download the Science Olympiad Foundation Olympiad syllabus from the official website.

2. Solve Previous Year Question Papers

  • One of the best ways to prepare for SOF Olympiads is by solving previous years’ question papers. This will give you an idea of the question types, difficulty level, and time management.
  • You can find downloadable PDFs of question papers on the SOF website.

3. Take Mock Tests

  • Mock tests are a great way to simulate the exam environment and test your preparation. There are many online platforms, including the Science Olympiad Foundation Olympiad Trainer, where you can take mock tests for each Olympiad.
  • Taking multiple mock tests will help you manage time better and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

4. Focus on Conceptual Understanding

  • SOF Olympiads are designed to test conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. Focus on understanding the underlying concepts in subjects like mathematics, science, and English.
  • For example, in IMO, simply memorizing formulas won’t help. You need to understand their applications in problem-solving.

5. Time Management

  • Time management is critical during the exam. Practice solving questions quickly and accurately. If you’re struggling with time, try setting a timer while solving mock tests or previous papers.
  • SOF provides a list of recommended books for each Olympiad. These books are designed to help students prepare for the competition with practice questions, explanations, and tips. Some popular ones include:
    • SOF Olympiad Trainer
    • MTG SOF Olympiad Books
    • Oswaal Olympiad Series

11. Prizes and Scholarships Offered by SOF

One of the most exciting aspects of participating in SOF Olympiads is the prestigious prizes and scholarships awarded to top performers. SOF rewards students at the school, zonal, and international levels.

Prizes for SOF Olympiads Include:

  • Cash Awards: International rank holders can win prizes ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 50,000.
  • Scholarships: SOF offers scholarships such as the SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS) and the SOF Scholarship of Excellence in English (SEE).
  • Medals: Students securing top ranks receive gold, silver, or bronze medals.
  • Certificates: All participants receive a Certificate of Participation, and top performers get Certificates of Merit.

Special Scholarships:

  1. SOF Girl Child Scholarship Scheme (GCSS): A special scholarship aimed at promoting girl education. Under this scheme, 300 girls are awarded scholarships worth INR 5,000 each.
  2. SOF Scholarship of Excellence in English (SEE): This scholarship is awarded to 120 students excelling in the IEO exam. Winners are awarded INR 5,000 each.

For more details on the scholarships and prizes, you can visit SOF Prizes and Awards.


12. Conclusion: Why Participate in SOF Olympiads

Participating in the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) Olympiads is an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves, improve their academic skills, and gain recognition at national and international levels. The Olympiads not only help students master their subjects but also prepare them for future competitive exams by enhancing their problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning, and analytical skills.

Whether you’re aiming for the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)National Science Olympiad (NSO), or International English Olympiad (IEO), these exams provide a platform to showcase your talent and develop a competitive edge. Plus, the rewards, including scholarships, medals, and certificates, serve as great motivators for students to push their limits.

If you haven’t already registered, make sure to check the registration deadlines and get started on your preparation. To add to the excitement, share your own SOF Olympiad experiences and tips in the comments below! Best of luck to all participants for the 2025 Olympiads! Know About The Bihar Graduation Scholarship Status

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