For high school students passionate about science and mathematics, International Science Olympiads are the pinnacle of competitions.

These include annual events such as the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).

There are a total of 12 Olympiads contained within the class of Science Olympiads.

Each competition brings the brightest students in their field from their home country.

The countries host internal Olympiads and training camps designed to select the 4-6 best students.

Each year, the competitions are hosted in a different country, similar to the actual Olympics.

They can loosely be thought of as "academic olympics".

This guide aims to provide an in-depth look at these Olympiads, including preparation tips, competition formats, and insights to help you succeed.

What Are the International Science Olympiads?

The 12 Olympiads are below.

They span many different areas of study, so there is something for everyone.

The level of competition for each Olympiad varies, with the IMO being the most competitive Olympiad in the list.

However, all the events are challenging to qualify for.

In the US, thousands of people compete for 4-6 spots on the national team.

International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) International Biology Olympiad (IBO) International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) International Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (IAAO) International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) International Geography Olympiad (iGeo) International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) International Economics Olympiad (IEO) International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO) A link to a blog post with information about some of these competitions and a few others is available here.

How to Participate in International Science Olympiads

1. Understand the Eligibility Criteria Age and School Level: Most Olympiads are only open to students enrolled in a high school or similar educational institution, or students being homeschooled You must be a resident of the country which you are competing in

2. Get Information from Your National Coordinating Body Each country has a national coordinating body or organization responsible for selecting and training its team.

For example, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) coordinates the United States Mathematical Olympiad (USAMO).

Make sure to check their website to find specific information in registration.

I personally participated in the qualifying rounds for the United States of America Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) and had to work with the school and an internal club to get us registered.

You may have to do a similar process if the Olympiad is not offered by your school and does not take individual registrants.

3. Participate in Preliminary and National Rounds School-Level Competitions: Many countries start the selection process with a qualifying round to decide who can participate in the country-level Olympiad.

These are usually proctored by your school or held online.

National Level Competitions: Once you pass the qualifier, you will be able to participate in the national competition.

Some Olympiads manage this differently, with the math Olympiad having an additional intermediate round called the AIME.

4. Intensive Preparation and Training Camps Training Camps: Students who perform well in the national competition are invited attend rigorous training camps organized by the national coordinating body.

These camps provide specialized training, covering advanced topics and problem-solving techniques specific to the Olympiad.

One example of such a camp would be MOP, organized by the MAA Mock Tests and Practice Sessions: Participate in mock tests and practice sessions that simulate the actual Olympiad conditions.

Engage in group discussions and problem-solving sessions with peers and mentors.

These training camps are used to select the 6 students who get to participate in the international competition.

However, getting to this stage is an impressive feat in and of itself.

5. Self-Preparation Tips Study Advanced Topics: Go beyond your school curriculum to study advanced topics relevant to the Olympiad.

Use textbooks, online resources, and problem books recommended for Olympiad preparation.

Develop a clear schedule of studying and hold yourself accountable Solve Past Olympiad Papers: Practice with past Olympiad papers to familiarize yourself with the format and level of difficulty.

Analyze solutions and understand the approaches used by top performers.

Join Online Communities: Engage with online forums and communities dedicated to Olympiad preparation.

Platforms like AoPS (Art of Problem Solving) offer discussion forums, problem sets, and resources.

Watch this video to learn more about the International Math Olympiad from a Ram Goel, who succeeded in this competition and now studies at MIT. https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=SHWGvC3SvK8

6. The Day of the Competition Be Prepared: Double-check the list of required materials (e. g. , pens, pencils, calculators) and pack them the night before.

Arrive to your testing center early to make sure you have full time to take the test.

These reminders aren't particularly exciting but make sure you don't make any mistakes when it comes to bringing required supplies or arrival time since you want to give yourself the full opportunity to succeed on the test.

International Research Olympiad (IRO) Recently, a new Olympiad was created by Rishab Jain called the International Research Olympiad.

While it is not as established as the other International Science Olympiads, there were over 1000 participants and an in-person finals event at Harvard University.

This Olympiad aims to meritocratically assess research capabilities.

Full disclosure: While I am on the board of the IRO, I do believe that it is a genuinely valuable competition.

Board members are not compensated monetarily by the IRO.

Conclusion Participating in an International Science Olympiad is a journey that demands dedication, hard work, and a strategic approach.

By understanding the selection process, engaging in thorough preparation, and maintaining a healthy balance, you can maximize your chances of success.

Remember, the experience itself is incredibly rewarding, offering not only academic recognition but also personal growth and lifelong connections with fellow enthusiasts from around the world.