New Delhi: The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) will hold the first round of the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) 2026-27 Level 1 exam on October 23, 2026. This is the first of three exam dates. The other two are November 26 and December 10, 2026. Each school picks one of these dates and conducts the exam on its own premises.
The IMO is open to students of Classes 1 to 12 in SOF-registered schools. Students cannot apply on their own; registration happens only through the school. Since each date has its own question paper, students writing on October 23 should not expect an official answer key the next day.
SOF IMO 2026-27 Level 1: Highlights
- Level 1 exam dates: October 23, November 26 and December 10, 2026
- Who can appear: Classes 1 to 12, through SOF-registered schools
- Mode and duration: offline, pen and paper, 1 hour
- Paper: 35 questions (40 marks) for Classes 1 to 4; 50 questions (60 marks) for Classes 5 to 12
- Level 2: Classes 3 to 12; class-wise top 5% and other rank holders qualify
- Result: SOF says results are declared within 8 weeks of the exam
IMO 2026-27 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Level 1 exam, date 1 | October 23, 2026 |
| Level 1 exam, date 2 | November 26, 2026 |
| Level 1 exam, date 3 | December 10, 2026 |
| Level 1 answer keys | Expected set-wise, after the exams (not announced) |
| Level 1 result | Within 8 weeks of the exam, as per SOF |
| Level 2 exam | To be announced |
Schools must register at least 30 days before the exam date they choose. The registration fee listed by SOF is Rs 170 per student.
IMO Level 1 Exam Pattern 2026-27
The paper has four sections and is objective, with multiple-choice questions. The time allowed is 1 hour.
| Section | Classes 1 to 4 | Classes 5 to 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Logical Reasoning | 10 questions, 10 marks | 15 questions, 15 marks |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 10 questions, 10 marks | 20 questions, 20 marks |
| Everyday Mathematics | 10 questions, 10 marks | 10 questions, 10 marks |
| Achievers Section | 5 questions, 10 marks (2 each) | 5 questions, 15 marks (3 each) |
| Total | 35 questions, 40 marks | 50 questions, 60 marks |
For Classes 11 and 12, the Mathematical Reasoning section is listed as Mathematical Reasoning / Applied Mathematics. The class-wise syllabus is on sofworld.org.
When Will the IMO Answer Key Come Out?
SOF has not announced answer key dates for 2026-27. Each exam date uses a different set of questions, and keys are released set-wise. In the 2025-26 session, the keys were reported to come out between mid-December 2025 and early January 2026, after the last Level 1 date. A similar timeline is expected this year, which means the October 23 key may not appear until after the December 10 exam.
Keys, when released, are posted on sofworld.org. Be careful with keys shared on social media soon after the exam. They are unofficial.
How Students Qualify for IMO Level 2
Level 2 is held for Classes 3 to 12. According to SOF, a student qualifies if they are:
- in the top 5% of Level 1 candidates in their class, or
- among the zone-wise top 25 rank holders in their class, or
- the class topper in a school where at least 10 students of that class appeared and the topper scored at least 50%.
Classes 1 and 2 do not have a Level 2 exam. Their ranks are based on Level 1. As per SOF, the Level 2 paper for Classes 5 to 10 has 45 Mathematics questions and 5 Achievers questions, for 60 marks. SOF will inform schools of the Level 2 date and venue later.
What Students Should Do
- Confirm your date. Ask your school which of the three dates it has chosen.
- Carry what the school asks for, such as your roll number and a pencil or pen.
- Plan your time. The Achievers Section carries higher marks per question, so do not leave it for the last few minutes.
- Keep your question paper, if the school allows it, to check answers once the official key is out.
- Get results from your school. SOF sends results to schools and also posts them on its website.
IMO 2026-27 Level 1 FAQs
When is the IMO 2026-27 Level 1 exam?
SOF will hold the IMO Level 1 exam on three dates: October 23, November 26 and December 10, 2026. Each school chooses one date.
When will the IMO 2026-27 answer key be released?
SOF has not announced the dates. Keys are released set-wise on sofworld.org. Last session they came out between mid-December and early January, after all Level 1 dates were over.
How many questions are there in the IMO Level 1 paper?
Classes 1 to 4 get 35 questions for 40 marks. Classes 5 to 12 get 50 questions for 60 marks. The exam lasts 1 hour.
Who qualifies for IMO Level 2?
Students of Classes 3 to 12 who are in the class-wise top 5 percent, the zone-wise top 25 rank holders in each class, or school class toppers who meet the conditions set by SOF.
When will the IMO Level 1 result be declared?
SOF says olympiad results are declared within 8 weeks of the exam. Results are sent to schools and posted on sofworld.org.
Exam dates and pattern are as listed by SOF for IMO 2026-27. Answer key timelines are based on past sessions. Students should confirm details with their school and on the official website, sofworld.org.
