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Class 6 Olympiad 2025-26: Exams List, Syllabus, Tips

Class 6 Olympiad exams help students strengthen their skills in Maths, Science, English, and General Knowledge through national and international-level competitions like IMO, NSO, IEO, and IGKO. The syllabus is based on the Class 6 CBSE/ICSE curriculum but features application-based and higher-order questions. Preparation involves mastering NCERT concepts, practicing sample papers like class 6 IMO and NSO sample papers, focusing on reasoning, and attempting the Achievers Section for higher marks.
authorImageAmit kumar Singh26 Nov, 2025
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Class 6 Olympiad  Exams

Class 6 Olympiad exams provide an early platform for students who want to build competitive excellence by testing their conceptual understanding and logical reasoning out of the school curriculum. Participation in these exams helps candidates improve skills to solve problems and manage time. Also with this, candidates can strengthen their foundation for competitive exams in the future. 

Class 6 Olympiad exam focuses on enhancing the cognitive abilities of children. The core subjects include Mathematics, Science, and English. With these exams candidates are well- prepared to compete at both national and international levels.

Class 6 Olympiad Popular Exams List

Different organizations arrange Olympiad exams for Class 6 students in India, both  national and international levels. These exams align with the CBSE, ICSE, and other state board syllabus but feature a high difficulty level to test analytical thinking. Here is the  list of the most sought-after Class 6 Olympiad examinations: 

List of Popular Class 6 Olympiad Exams

S. No.

Exam Name

Subject

Organizing Body

1.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO)

Maths

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

2.

National Science Olympiad (NSO)

Science

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

3.

International English Olympiad (IEO)

English

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

4.

International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO)

General Knowledge

Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

5.

International Olympiad of Science (IOS)

Science

SilverZone Foundation

6.

International Olympiad of Mathematics (IOM)

Maths

SilverZone Foundation

7.

Cyber Olympiad (CO)

Computer Science/IT

CREST Olympiads / SOF (NCO)

8.

International Science Olympiad (ISO)

Science

Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO)

Class 6 Olympiad Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The syllabus for all Olympiad exams is based on the Class 6 curriculum of most of the education boards. However, the questions are set to be challenging and application-based. Having an understanding of the exam pattern is important for strategic preparation.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Class 6

The IMO Class 6 exam assesses the mathematical aptitude and reasoning ability of the candidate. The exam is based on multiple-choice questions with division into four sections.

International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) Class 6

Section

Subject/Skills Tested

No. of Questions (Q)

Marks per Question

Total Marks (M)

1

Logical Reasoning

15 Q

1

15 M

2

Mathematical Reasoning

20 Q

1

20 M

3

Everyday Mathematics

10 Q

1

10 M

4

Achievers Section (Higher Order Thinking)

5 Q

3

15 M

Total

 

50 Q

 

60 M

Duration

60 Minutes

     

 

IMO Class 6 Syllabus (Section 2 - Key Topics)

The syllabus covers the topics from the Class 6 Maths Olympiad curriculum. These topics include  Number system, Geometry, Algebra & Mensuration.

In Number System main subtopics include Knowing Our Numbers, Whole Numbers, Playing with Numbers, Integers, Fractions, Decimals. In Geometry main subtopics include Basic Geometrical Ideas, Understanding Elementary Shapes, Symmetry, Practical Geometry. In Algebra & Mensuration main subtopics include: Introduction to Algebra, Ratio and Proportion, Data Handling, Perimeter and Area.

National Science Olympiad (NSO) Class 6

Class 6 Olympiad Science (NSO) aims to identify and nurture scientific talent. It tests conceptual understanding and the application of scientific knowledge. The format is similar to IMO, it also focuses on Science concepts. Here is the Pattern for NSO Class 6 exam level 1: 

NSO Class 6 Exam Pattern Level 1

Section

Subject/Skills Tested

No. of Questions 

Marks per Question

Total Marks 

1

Logical Reasoning

10 

1

10 

2

Science

35 

1

35 

3

Achievers Section based on Higher Order Thinking

3

15 

Total

 

50 

 

60 

Duration

60 Minutes

     

 

NSO Class 6 Syllabus Section 2, important topics

The syllabus is based on the Class 6 Science curriculum and includes topics from Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Environment. 

In Biology, topics include Food and its Components, Fibre to Fabric, The World of Living, Parts of Plants, Body Movements, and Characteristics of Living Beings. In Physics, topics include Motion and Measurement of Distances, Light, Shadows, Reflections, Electricity and Circuits, and Fun with Magnets. In Chemistry, topics include Sorting and Separation of Materials, Changes Around Us, and Materials Around Us. Environment topics include Water, Air Around us, Garbage in and Garbage out.

International English Olympiad (IEO) Class 6

Class 6 English Olympiad (IEO) is set to test English language proficiency, grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. The English Olympiad Class 6 syllabus is categorised into four main areas:

  • Grammar & Vocabulary: Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adverbs, Adjectives, Tenses, Prepositions, Conjunctions, Articles, Punctuation, Voice and Narration, Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Synonyms and Antonyms.
  • Reading: Search for and retrieve information from various text types (e.g., News headlines, Brochures, Letters, Stories).
  • Spoken & Written Expression: Situational variations in functions like requests, apologies, agreement, and disagreement.

 

Note: For the exact and updated syllabus for any academic year, students should refer to the official website of the organising body, for example SOF Official Website or Indian Talent Olympiad Official Website.

 

Preparation Tips for Class 6 Olympiad Exams

Excelling in the Class 6 Olympiad requires a focused strategy that goes beyond rote learning and emphasizes application-based learning.

  • Master the Basics: All Olympiad questions are based on your Class 6 curriculum. Ensure you have a crystal-clear understanding of every concept from your NCERT books first.
  • Focus on Logical Reasoning: A separate section on Logical Reasoning is common in IMO and NSO. Dedicate time to practice non-verbal and verbal reasoning questions to boost your analytical skills.
  • Practice Sample Papers: Regularly solving Class 6 Olympiad sample papers is the single most effective method. It helps you understand the question format, difficulty level, and time allocation. Look for the class 6 imo sample paper and the class 6 NSO sample papers specifically.
  • Analyze Previous Year Papers: Work through the IEO Class 6 previous year papers PDF and other subject papers. This provides insight into recurring topics and helps you prioritise your study.
  • Target the Achievers Section: The Achievers Section (Higher Order Thinking) carries more marks per question. These questions test deep conceptual understanding. Focus on developing strong problem-solving methods rather than quick tricks.
  • Maintain a Study Schedule: A well-planned schedule ensures consistent preparation across all subjects, like Olympiad Maths for class 6 and science. Consistency is key to success.



Class 6 Olympiad FAQs

Which is the best Olympiad for a Class 6 student?

The best Olympiad depends on the interest of the student. The popular ones are the International Maths Olympiad for Mathematics, the National Science Olympiad for Science, and the International English Olympiad for English. All are conducted by the Science Olympiad Foundation. Students should choose the subject according to their passion.

How is the syllabus for the Class 6 Olympiad different from the school syllabus?

The Class 6 Olympiad syllabus is based on the school curriculum, based on CBSE/ICSE or State Boards. However, the questions are higher-order thinking-based, as the objective of these questions is to test the concepts, logical reasoning, and analytical skills. It makes questions more challenging than regular school exams.

Where can I find the Class 6 IMO sample paper?

You can find the official Class 6 IMO sample paper and previous year questions on the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) official website.

Is there negative marking in the Class 6 Olympiad exam?

Generally, there is no negative marking in the Level 1 exams for SOF Olympiads (IMO, NSO, IEO, IGKO) for Class 6. However, students must always check the latest official notification for the specific exam. There is a possibility that rules can change annually.

Can a Class 6 student register for the Olympiad individually?

Yes, students can register for the Class 6 Olympiad either through their school or as individual candidates. The registration process varies between organisations. One needs to check the official website of the specific Olympiad (for example, SOF, Indian Talent Olympiad) for their individual registration portal.
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