Every year in India, the SOF – Science Olympiad Foundation conducts exams for subjects like Mathematics, English, Science, Computer Science and General Knowledge. One of these Olympiad exams is the IMO – International Mathematics Olympiad. The SOF organises this examination so that students can enhance their logical and reasoning skills. As mathematics is a very interesting and calculating subject, students must take part in this examination to strengthen their quantitative aptitude abilities. Also, in higher competitive exams, questions related to Mathematics are being asked. The IMO examination can help in preparing students for further important competitive exams.
The type of questions asked in the question paper of the IMO is Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). These questions are based on the syllabus of Class 6 Maths. Students should know the exam pattern if they desire to score well in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Here is the blueprint of the question paper.
There are a total of 50 questions in the exam paper and the time duration to complete this paper is 1 hour. 60% of the questions in the first level of exam action are asked from the Class 6 syllabus and 40% from the curriculum of Class 5. The question paper is distributed into 4 parts.
- Section 1. Logical Reasoning
The number of questions asked in this portion is 15. Each question is of 1 mark. The topics that come under this section are verbal and non-verbal reasoning.
- Section 2. Mathematical Reasoning
The concepts or chapters from which the question are being asked are listed below:
- Knowing Our Numbers
- Whole Numbers
- Playing With Numbers
- Basic Geometrical Ideas
- Understanding Elementary Shapes
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Integers
- Data Handling
- Mensuration
- Ratio and Proportion
- Algebra
- Symmetry
- Practical Geometry
From the above-mentioned topics, 20 questions are inquired which are of 1 mark each.
- Section 3. Everyday Mathematics
The maximum marks of this section are 10 marks as 10 questions of 1 mark each are interrogated in this portion. The questions are related to the topics discussed in Section 2.
- Section 4. Achievers Section
This part comprises questions of High Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). The number of questions is 5 and these are of 3 marks each.
Having knowledge about the syllabus and the exam pattern is not enough for the preparation. Students should also acquire some strategies to understand the concepts and for better preparation.
Underneath are the preparation strategies or tips which are provided by this article that students must follow to attain good marks in IMO.
- The Class 6 Maths NCERT Book.
As the question paper is designed according to the Class 6 Maths syllabus, therefore students must stick to the NCERT book. This book covers all the chapters that are asked in the exam. This book is also suggested by the CBSE, as it is prepared by professionals. Students should solve the NCERT questions to have a grasp of the concepts. Also, the language of this book is easy to understand.
- Be Serious Regarding Your Studies.
Mathematics requires lots of practice and hard work. Hence, students are suggested to start studying this subject at the starting of the academic session. This will reduce chaos and panic at the time of examination. Pupils should not wait for the examination to come so that they can start their preparation. They should try to be early birds.
- Question Papers Are Significant.
Only understanding the theory will not help students to score well in the examination. They should solve ample questions to make their foundations strong. Pupils can find various mock test papers and previous years’ question papers like IMO Class 6 2011 Question Paper. By solving these papers, students will get a crystal clear image of all the topics coming in the IMO examination.
- Learn Important Formulas And Theorems.
Without learning formulas, students will not be able to solve the questions. They can prepare notes for these theorems and formulas so that they can remember them at the time of examination. Students can also make use of these notes while doing revision. They should focus on these formulas as most of the questions can be solved using these formulas.
- Set Daily Targets.
Having daily goals or assignments can enable students to complete their course on time. For this, they can make a timetable. This timetable will help them in doing time management. In this schedule, they should set their time in such a way that they can study Maths for at least 2 hours.
- Self-Care Is Necessary.
During the examination, students should take care of themselves. They should avert studying for longer periods. To keep their minds refreshed and bodies fit, they should eat healthy food and do exercise daily. If students do not want to miss out on their examination, they have to keep themselves fit and fine. They should take proper sleep and should not take any kind of stress.
- Mentors Are A Blessing.
Teachers always make things easy for students so that they can comprehend them. Students should always attend their school classes as they will get to know about the important topics and tips on how to attempt the question paper by their teachers. Also, pupils can take the help of their teachers in clarifying their doubts and difficult concepts.
- Do Not Follow The Hit And Trial Method.
As the result of the 1st level of the IMO exam plays a crucial role therefore, students should not mark the answers of the questions just by guessing them. Accuracy is very important so that the result does not get affected. They should attempt only those questions about which they are 100% sure. To get decent marks, students should try to avoid the method of guessing the answers.
- The Educational Materials For Olympiad Preparation.
There are several workbooks available for the students so that they can study for IMO from these books. By studying from these books, pupils will get in-depth knowledge about the curriculum. Also, these books furnish students with specific information. Every topic in these books is explained in detail.
