With registration closing and the Opens round of the International Research Olympiad (IRO) just days away, many ambitious young researchers have been grinding through their remaining hours in preparation for the upcoming exams.

All participants are working hard to earn a spot in the finals and win the coveted bronze, silver, and gold medals, and now are looking for ways to get ahead.

Now that D-Day is almost here, It seems only fitting that we share the TOP 3 tips for nabbing those top prizes in the IRO!

What is the International Research Olympiad?

Organized by a dedicated volunteer team and steered by seasoned researchers and scientists, The International Research Olympiad (IRO) is the world’s first olympiad-style competition dedicated solely to scientific research.

This foundation prides itself on being a unique initiative that aims to promote science and scientific thinking among young minds.

Through participation, students gain a solid foundation for future scientific endeavors.

The IRO unfolds through four main rounds: a written test, a research proposal, a research project presentation, and additional unique events, all structured to deepen participants' understanding of the scientific process and enhance their creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills. “There has been a distinct separation between the Research and Olympiad communities, but the IRO aims to merge these.

The International Research Olympiad is a research olympiad competition aiming to provide a unique platform that offers young minds an opportunity to delve into the world of scientific research and innovation. ” International Research Olympiad https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=N3jywbAqfNU Watch THIS VIDEO for all the basics on the IRO from Rishab Jain, its founder and president.

Tip 1: Strategize Treat the IRO as a strategic game where each of your moves should be calculated.

Remember that YOUR TIME IS LIMITED, and that you must tailor both your studying and test-taking approach to the competition's structure.

In the Opens, you have 32 total multiple choice questions (+4 papers) to answer in the span of 60 minutes, so think: how can you allocate your time so that you can thoroughly address each question?

According to the International Research Olympiad, to minimize the amount of time you’re putting into reading the paper(s) while maximizing the content you get out of it, follow this guide: First Pass (Quick Overview): Title, abstract, introduction.

Skim headings, subheadings, discussion/summary.

Skip related work initially.

Understand the overall structure.

Second Pass (Detailed Reading): Read more in-depth, ignoring proofs.

Note down key points: main findings, methodology/techniques, and interesting examples/facts.

Examine figures, diagrams, and graphs for statistical significance.

Make relevant notes in the margin Summarize the paper into 1-2 sentences.

Third pass (If time): Imagine in your head how you would share this research to others.

Figure out a game-plan and PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE so that you can adapt swiftly between the papers and the questions and manage your time like a pro once you’re in that test.

Tip 2: Cultivate a Researcher’s Mindset  Now, you should approach each problem or research paper like a mystery to be solved: with an eye for detail and a questioning mindset.

By now, you’ve likely gotten a feel for how to approach research paper analyses and literature reviews, but how do you really extract the information that’ll help you?

Especially for the Opens round, where your high-speed analytical abilities and critical thinking are evaluated, you have to not only be able to absorb and pull out important bits of the text but also discern the broader implications.

The Opens is a “comprehensive assessment, encompassing diverse elements such as analyzing research papers, interpreting scientific data, and tackling question formation and inquiry.

This stage aims to test participants’ analytical skills and critical thinking. ” To excel, immerse yourself in the material, question every conclusion, and explore the potential applications of your insights. “The International Research Olympiad is a competition that doesn't just rely on memorization of content or a specific type of problem.

It aims to test crucial analytical skills that are essential to succeed as a researcher. ” Tip 3: Diversify your training ground Don’t just stick to the mock exams.

Sure, they’re a great place to start (and if you haven’t already, go check that out before anything else!), but you shouldn’t limit yourself to just a curated selection.

Dive into scientific journals, explore varied research methodologies, and dissect case studies.

The more eclectic your preparation, the sharper your research acumen.

Read up on any materials and articles you can find (especially in the eight main fields this year’s exams will focus on), and be constantly asking yourself questions that dive deeper into the content you're reading.

For success, not just in Opens but in ALL ROUNDS of the exams, it’s essential to have the skills to think critically and on your feet. https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=Ky2Vo7RJcDs Having trouble locking in for Opens before D-Day?

Check out this video on the systems that Rishab uses to study, as well as this blog on productivity hacks!

Additional Tip: Network with peers In the latter rounds of the IRO, your ability to communicate can make or break your performance.

Engage actively with your peers to enhance your argumentative capabilities and to practice distilling complex ideas into clear, persuasive narratives to stand out in free-response segments.

If you’re interested in a community of like-minded students and want to do just these things listed above, JOIN the International Research Olympiad discord server!

Ask questions, discuss the Problem of the Day (great practice for forming quick answers to questions about provided papers!), and get insights into research tactics from peers and mentors.