SOF Olympiad 2025-26: Negative Marking Rules, Check Marking Scheme Details

SOF Olympiad 2025-26: Negative Marking Rules, Check Marking Scheme Details

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IMO Exam Date:12 Nov' 25 - 12 Nov' 25

Manasvini GuptaUpdated on 26 Jul 2025, 01:19 PM IST

The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organises multiple SOF Olympiads annually. Each exam is structured according to the student’s Class level and aims to assess both fundamental knowledge and logical reasoning. One of the most frequently asked questions by students and parents is whether SOF Olympiad exams carry negative marking. They should note that the SOF maintains a student-friendly evaluation policy with no negative marking across any of its Olympiads.

This Story also Contains

  1. SOF Olympiads 2025-26: Negative Marking and Marking Scheme Overview
  2. How to Approach SOF Olympiad Exams if There is No Negative Marking?
  3. How is the SOF Olympiad Marking Scheme Structured?
SOF Olympiad 2025-26: Negative Marking Rules, Check Marking Scheme Details
SOF Olympiad 2025-26: Negative Marking Rules, Check Marking Scheme Details

The no negative marking policy in the SOF Olympiad allows participants to attempt all questions confidently. The complete marking scheme of each SOF Olympiad is available on the official website, sofworld.org.

SOF Olympiads 2025-26: Negative Marking and Marking Scheme Overview

Students can refer to the table below, which mentions the details of each SOF Olympiad exam 2025-26, including whether negative marking is applicable. The total number of questions and the overall marks for each Olympiad are also provided. Students should note that the number of questions varies depending on the class level of the participating student:

Olympiad NameTotal Questions (Approx.)Total MarksNegative Marking

NSO (Science)

35-50

40-60

No

IMO (Mathematics)

35-50

40-60

No

IEO (English)

35-50

40-60

No

IGKO (General Knowledge)

35-50

40-60

No

ICSO (Computer Science Olympiad)

35-50

40-60

No

IHO (Hindi Olympiad)

35-50

40-60

No

ISSO (Social Studies)

35-50

40-60

No

How to Approach SOF Olympiad Exams if There is No Negative Marking?

  • As there is no negative marking in SOF Olympiad exams, students must confidently attempt all questions.
  • Participants should focus more on the Achievers Section. It can significantly increase scores as each question carries a lot more marks than the other sections' questions.
  • Practice by going through time-bound tests. Use the official SOF sample papers PDFs provided on the official website to practice and understand the exam pattern even more.

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How is the SOF Olympiad Marking Scheme Structured?

Though each SOF exam varies slightly in format, a general marking scheme is followed across all. The official marking scheme can be accessed at sofworld.org. The general marking scheme details are as follows:

  • The Logical reasoning section tests reasoning and problem-solving skills.
  • The subject-specific section is focused on core concepts (Math, Science, English, etc.)
  • Lastly, the Achievers section consists of higher-difficulty questions and carries greater mark weightage, particularly for higher classes. While questions in the other sections typically carry 1 mark each, those in the Achievers Section are awarded 2 to 3 marks, depending on the class level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Where can I find the SOF exam official marking scheme?
A:

Students can check the marking scheme at sofworld.org.

Q: Can students attempt all questions without the fear of penalties?
A:

Yes, since no negative marking is applicable in the SOF Olympiad exam, students can attempt every question without worrying.

Q: Is there negative marking in any SOF Olympiad exam?
A:

No. There is no negative marking in any of the SOF Olympiads, including NSO, IMO, IEO, IGKO, ICSO, IHO, and ISSO.

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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).