SOF Level 1 vs Level 2: Exam Difference, Eligibility, Syllabus & Criteria

SOF Level 1 vs Level 2: Exam Difference, Eligibility, Syllabus & Criteria

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Mangane PriyankaUpdated on 17 Jul 2025, 03:09 PM IST

The Science Olympiad Foundation conducts various SOF Olympiad exams for Classes 1 to 12. These exams help students identify and nurture talent in several subjects like English, Science, Mathematics, Social Studies, etc. The foundations conduct the SOF Olympiad examination at two levels, at the 1st and 2nd levels. The level 1 of the SOF Olympiad examination will be held for Classes 1 to 12, and level 2 will be held for students in Classes 3 to 12. However, some olympiad exams are held only at level 1. Read the article to learn more about the SOF level 1 vs level 2.

This Story also Contains

  1. List of Single-Level SOF Olympiads
  2. SOF Level 1 vs Level 2: Comparison Overview
  3. Qualification/Ranking Criteria - 2nd Level Olympiad Exams
SOF Level 1 vs Level 2: Exam Difference, Eligibility, Syllabus & Criteria
SOF Level 1 vs Level 2

List of Single-Level SOF Olympiads

The SOF Level 1 examination will be held for 8 Olympiads:

  • International General Knowledge Olympiad (SOF IGKO)

  • International English Olympiad (SOF IEO)

  • National Science Olympiad (SOF NSO)

  • International Mathematics Olympiad (SOF IMO)

  • International Computer Science Olympiad (SOF ICSO)

  • International Social Studies Olympiad (SOF ISSO)

  • International Hindi Olympiad (SOF IHO)

  • International Commerce Olympiad (SOF ICO)

List of SOF 2nd Level Olympiads

The SOF 2nd level exams will be for English, Science, and Mathematics Olympiads.

  • International English Olympiad

  • National Science Olympiad

  • International Mathematics Olympiad

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SOF Level 1 vs Level 2: Comparison Overview

SOF Level 1

SOF Level 2

The level 1 SOF Olympiad is held for 1 to 12 classes.

The 2nd-level SOF Olympiad is conducted for 3 to 12 classes.

Level 1 is for all 8 Olympiads like SOF IGKO, IEO, NSO, IMO, ICSO, ISSO, IHO, ICO.

SOF Level 2 is for only 3 olympiads, i.e., SOF IEO, SOF NSO, and SOF IMO.

Students must go through the SOF Olympiad syllabus for all examinations.

The SOF syllabus is the same as the level 1 exam for all 3 SOF level 2 olympiads.

The level of the question is as per the student's understanding and based on the exam pattern and model papers.

The difficulty level of questions is higher in level 2 as compared to level 1.

All students who fill out the SOF Level 1 application form can appear for the exam based on their eligibility.

Whereas, SOF 2nd level is open only to students selected in the level 1 examination.

In the SOF Level 1 examination, students are tested with direct questions.

The Level 2 SOF Olympiad exam students are tested with more complex questions based on their aptitude and logical reasoning.

The level 1 students can prepare for the SOF Olympiads by following the question paper pattern section-wise and by attempting mock tests.

The 2nd-level Olympiad exam needs more advanced preparation as compared to the SOF Level 1 exam.

Level 1 is conducted from September to December and January.

After level 1 results are announced, level 2 is conducted in February.

Qualification/Ranking Criteria - 2nd Level Olympiad Exams

Students will have the fulfil the following three criteria to qualify for the SOF 2nd level olympiad exams.

  • The top 25 rank holders from each class and each zone.

  • The top 5% of students who appear for the 1st level exam, class-wise.

  • At least the topper students from each class and participating school appearing in the exam scoring 50% qualifying marks.

  • Due priority to marks scored in different sections to determine ranks in case of a tie in marks.

  • A student scoring higher total marks will be accorded a higher rank.

  • However, in case two or more students score the same total marks, the higher rank will be awarded to the student scoring higher marks in the sections of higher priority.

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Important Note on Second-Level Exams

The SOF 2nd-level Olympiad exams may be conducted under the prevalent conditions due to other factors at that time, leading to the feasibility of conducting 2nd-level exams. In case of 2nd-level exams are not conducted, the results of the SOF level 1 exams will be treated as final SOF results.

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Questions related to IMO

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to IMO ?

Hello

Hope you are doing good. Please mention the exam name or entrance exam to  get the update of exam card release date. You can also get the updates from the careers360 website , simply search the exam name with careers360 you get get more updates from there.

Good luck.

Dear Aspirant,

Science olympiad foundation conducts the IMO (International Mathematics Olympiad ) for classes 1 to 12. IMO exam is conducted in 2 levels. Level 1 is for classes 1 to 12 and Level 2 is for classes 3 to 12 who qualify in level 1.

SOF also accepts individual registration. Each student has to pay INR 50 for those who pay individually.

  • They conducted the exam in an online mode for 1 hr.
  • IMO level 1 (set A) will conduct on 4th and 5th of December,2021.
  • IMO level 1 (set B) will conduct on the 24th and 26th of December, 2021
  • IMO level 1 (set C) will conduct on the 8th and 9th of January, 2022.
  • IMO level 2 will conduct in January 2022

Registration process:

Steps to fill the Individual Registration:

  • Visit SOF official website
  • View online registration for schools and students on the home page
  • Click on "read more". It will direct to the student registration page.
  • Click on "Registration by students"
  • Enter your school details and student details in the registration form.
  • Preview your application and submit it.

Hope this is helpful


Hello there,

Hope you are doing well.

There is only one mode to apply for the IMO exam 2021 i.e. Offline.  You have to contact your school authorities for IMO Forms, if your school is registered with IMO then the forms may have already arrived.

It must be remembered that no student can apply for the IMO 2021 registration independently. SOF will not accept any application form directly from students. Students should contact their respective schools for their registration.

Hope this helps. In case of any further query, please get back to us.

Thank you!

It is very simple to apply for maths Olympiad in india.You can register with Indian Talent Olympiad,one of the leading centres for Olympiad Examinations.Registrations are open for individual students.You can click on the website(https://www.indiantalent.org/Olympiad-exam-registration-student) tab on the homepage of Indian Talent Olympiad and start  with the application process.The website provides the clear instructions of registration,you can register by entering all required details such as name,standard,age, school, subject and other information,then further it would take you to the payment gateway,where you can pay the Examination fees.Registered students are allowed to participate in the weekly test series.To Apply and to know further details,you can even call on the toll free number 1800 266 9192.

Hello,

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) conducts the International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) for the students of classes 1 to 12. IMO Level 1 is conducted for Class 1 to 12 students and then the Level 2 is conducted for Class 3 to 12 students who qualify the level 1. Student's knowledge of logical reasoning, Mathematical reasoning, and everyday mathematics is tested through SOF International Mathematics Olympiad. So yes 5th class student can also apply for International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO).