Class 6 to 10
Olympiads for Class 6 to 10
Olympiads are competitive exams that test understanding and problem solving beyond the school syllabus. For Class 6 to 10 students they are a good way to build strong concepts early, and the habits they develop help later with JEE, NEET and board exams. This guide lists the main olympiads and talent-search exams, who can take them and how to choose.
Last reviewed October 2026
At a glance
- Who it is for
- Students of Class 6 to 10
- Subjects
- Mathematics, Science, English, General Knowledge, Computer Science and more
- How students register
- Most olympiads register through the school. A few allow individual registration
- Stages
- Many have two levels: Level 1 at school, and Level 2 for top performers
- Best time to start
- Class 6 or 7, so that the basics are strong by Class 9
Main olympiads and talent-search exams
| Exam | Conducted by | Classes | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) | Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) | 1 to 12 | Mathematics and reasoning. Level 1 at school, Level 2 for top performers |
| International Science Olympiad (ISO, earlier NSO) | SOF | 1 to 12 | Science, with reasoning and application questions |
| International English Olympiad (IEO) | SOF | 1 to 12 | English language, grammar and comprehension |
| International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO) | SOF | 1 to 10 | General knowledge and current affairs |
| International Computer Science Olympiad (ICSO) | SOF | 1 to 10 | Computers and logical reasoning |
| International Social Studies Olympiad (ISSO) and International Hindi Olympiad (IHO) | SOF | 3 to 10 | Social studies, and Hindi language |
| Indian Olympiad Qualifier in Mathematics (IOQM) | HBCSE (TIFR) | 8 to 12 | The first stage towards the Indian team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. A 3-hour paper of 30 numerical-answer questions |
| National Standard Examination in Junior Science (NSEJS) | Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT) | Junior school students, up to Class 10 | The first stage of the junior science olympiad. Check the brochure for the class limits |
| Dr. Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Competition | Mumbai Science Teachers' Association | 6 and 9 | A science talent search with a written test, practical exam, project and interview |
| National Science Talent Search Examination (NSTSE) | Unified Council | Check the official site | A school-level talent search in Science, Maths and reasoning |
| INSPIRE Awards - MANAK | Department of Science and Technology | 6 to 12 | Not an exam: students send an original idea through their school. Selected ideas receive an award of Rs 10,000 |
| MVPP | Directorate of Education, Delhi | 9 (Delhi schools) | A scholarship exam. See our MVPP page |
Dates, fees and class limits change every year. Confirm them on the official website of each exam. The National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) for Class 10 has had an uncertain schedule in recent years, so check NCERT and your state before you plan for it.
What to pick in each class
| Class | Good starting choices |
|---|---|
| 6 and 7 | IMO, ISO, IEO and IGKO through school. Homi Bhabha (Class 6). |
| 8 | IMO and ISO, plus IOQM and NSEJS for students who enjoy problem solving. |
| 9 | Homi Bhabha (Class 9), IOQM and NSEJS. MVPP for Delhi students. INSPIRE Awards if you have an idea. |
| 10 | IOQM and NSEJS alongside board preparation. Pick one or two, not all. |
How to prepare
- Understand each chapter deeply. Olympiad questions reward reasoning, not memory.
- Practise previous years' papers and sample papers for the exam you chose.
- Solve a few challenging problems every week, even if they take time.
- Build speed with timed practice.
- Do not take too many olympiads. Choose one or two and prepare well.
How olympiads help later
- They build the concepts and problem solving that JEE and NEET need.
- They improve confidence and reasoning in school exams.
- Good results count in school and scholarship applications.
How to prepare
- 1
Choose one or two exams
Pick by your class and interest, using the table above.
- 2
Strengthen the base
Revise school Maths and Science with full understanding.
- 3
Practise past papers
Use the official sample papers and previous years' questions.
- 4
Review every attempt
Note where you lost marks and fix those topics first.
How Gyan Sanchar can help
Our foundation courses for Class 6 to 10 build the Science and Mathematics concepts these exams test. Book a free demo class to discuss which olympiads suit your child.
Frequently asked questions
Which olympiad should a Class 6 student start with?
The school-level olympiads such as IMO and ISO are a good start, because they match the syllabus and register through the school.
Can I register by myself?
Most olympiads register through the school. A few allow individual registration. Check each official website.
Do olympiads help with JEE and NEET?
Yes. They strengthen concepts and problem solving, which are the base for JEE and NEET.
How many olympiads should a student take?
One or two, with proper preparation, are better than many without it.
Official sources
Dates, fees and eligibility are announced here. Always check the latest notice before you apply.
- Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)
- HBCSE Olympiad programme (IOQM and others)
- INSPIRE Awards - MANAK
- IAPT (junior science olympiad)
Gyan Sanchar is an independent coaching institute. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the National Testing Agency, UPSC, the IITs or any other exam body. Exam names are used only to describe the exams.