Students often get feared of thinking maths. They dislike maths more when compared to other subjects as it is full of numbers and formulas. They think that it is not easy to personally connect. Students think maths is irreverent and it studying maths has no importance in life. That is not true. The main reason why students avoid maths is due to a lack of strong basics. Maths olympiad has a major role in moulding students for a better future with strong basics and core subject knowledge. Maths olympiad is best for all students who love to play with numbers and reasoning. The main objective of the maths olympiad exam is to identify and encourage the mathematical creativity of children. The exam aims to identify and support students who have the potential. Children will learn to analyze themselves and their mathematical abilities.
Class 7 IMO, organized each year by SOF both at national and international levels, intends to help students test their mathematics skills by competing with other students all over the world.
Any class 7 students interested can participate in maths olympiad exams. Students should register either through their schools or by themselves. IMO is conducted in online mode also. Students can attend the exam from their homes by using a smartphone or tab.
Exam pattern:
The exam is conducted in two levels. The difficulty level of both level exams will be very high. Students need to have strong subject knowledge to qualify for levels. The first level has a reasoning section, a subjective section, which is maths, and a higher-order thinking section. Only those students who qualify a minimum performance level in the Level 1 exam are then shortlisted for Level 2. The top 5 per cent from each class and top 25 students from zone wise are eligible for level 2. Students need to work very hard to top the exams. The solutions for Maths Olympiad questions will not be very easy. They require them to use their brain and think more deeply to arrive at an answer. For students who have understood the basics of mathematics by heart, it is easy for them to understand and solve the questions. The question will not have anything that is not related to mathematics and reasoning like any complicated words.
Exam pattern for level 1:
| Sections | Number of questions | Total marks |
| 1. Logical Reasoning | 15 (1 mark per question) | 15 |
| 2. Mathematical Reasoning | 20 (1 mark per question) | 20 |
| 3. Everyday Mathematics | 10 (1 mark per question) | 10 |
| 4. Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) | 15 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
Pattern for level 2:
Level 2 is purely based on mathematics. Students will be more tricky and complex. They will have to focus more on the practical and advanced sides of the subject. The maths olympiad exam is generally more advanced. So the level of thinking of students should also be wider.
| Sections | Number of questions | Total Marks |
| Mathematics | 45 (1 mark per question) | 45 |
| Achievers section | 5 (3 marks per question) | 15 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
Syllabus:
The syllabus for Class 7 maths olympiad exams is similar to their academic syllabuses. But students need to concentrate more on the core portions and understand every concept more clearly.
| Section | No. of Questions | Topics | Marks/Question | Total marks |
| Section-1 (Logical Reasoning) | 15 | Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. | 1 | 15 |
| Section-2 (Mathematical Reasoning) | 20 | ● Integers
● Exponents and Powers ● Algebraic Expressions ● Simple Linear Equations ● Lines and Angles ● Comparing Quantities ● Fractions and Decimals ● The Triangle and its Properties ● Symmetry ● Congruence of Triangles ● Perimeter and Area, Data Handling ● Rational Numbers ● Visualizing Solid Shapes ● Practical Geometry. |
1 | 20 |
| Section-3 (Everyday Mathematics) | 10 | Refer to the mathematical reasoning section | 1 | 10 |
| Section 4 – Achievers Section | 5 | Higher Order Thinking Questions (HOTS) + Refer to Section–2 for the syllabus. | 3 | 15 |
| Grand Total | 50 | 60 |
Some tips to top the exam:
- Prepare notes daily, even if your teachers provide you notes. make your notes. It will be very useful at the end for revising before exams.
- Understand your syllabus. Classify the chapters according to your comfort. Begin studying from the easiest chapters or concepts and progress slowly towards more difficult. As the syllabus for the exam is similar to the class 7 maths syllabus, it won’t be difficult for students to follow the syllabus.
- Solve as many as previous year question papers, that is the answer for the question of how to top olympiads. Solving sample papers can provide students a general idea of the type of questions commonly asked in exams. They even learn to manage time. Time management is of paramount importance for maths exams. They should be able to complete the question within a certain time, else they won’t get enough time for all questions. Spending much time on a single question is not appreciated. Practice many workbooks. Students can refer to previous year’s papers and workbooks from the internet. Or they can ever refer to IMO Maths Olympiad Sample Question Paper 1 Class 7 for previous year papers.
- Stay healthy, get enough sleep. Maintaining a healthy diet is very necessary. Try not to get sick during the time of exams.
- Practice and work hard. In the end, it is only hard work and determination that will lead you to success. Remember this and set up a timetable. Plan your daily routines. Study at least for 2 hours continuously. Practice questions from the chapters daily. Practising more question papers is the only path left to reach your goal of scoring good marks in the maths olympiad. The more you practice and solve problems, the more you can comprehend problems.
- Proper revision: revision is the last major step left for any exams. Revise all-important formulas, theories, principles, and equations from all chapters. Start your revision two or three weeks before the exams.
- Don’t stay up late during exam day. This is not highly recommended. Because sleep deprivation can cause a lot of health-related problems. Students should not stay up for a long time. Morning time is the best for students for studying.